Bronze Pelican Award

About the Award

The Bronze Pelican Recognition is a Diocesan recognition given to adults who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in any Scouting program. A completed application for the recognition does not guarantee approval for the Recognition in a given year. Historical Significance of the Pelican as a symbol The pelican has been used since the earliest days of the Church as a symbol of Christ’s self-sacrificial giving of himself to his people. The pelican was often believed to pierce its own breast to provide lifegiving blood to its young, just as Christ shed his own lifeblood to give His children life. Although this belief actually occurs because of the appearance of the pelican’s pouch-like bill during the mother’s feeding of the young, the pelican remains an excellent symbol of adult leaders who give of themselves to nurture youth.

Who Qualifies?

The Bronze Pelican may be presented to any adult, Scouter or non-Scouter, a member of the laity or religious, or a member of another faith in recognition of consistent support of the Scouting program under Catholic auspices, either within a Catholic chartered unit, or to Catholic youth in Scout units not chartered by the Church. Recipients of the Recognition must be exemplary adults and members in good standing in their respective positions in Scouting and in their faith communities and have the approval of their pastor(s) before the Recognition is given. Recipients may be Catholic men and women, including priests and religious, and non-Catholic individuals. Recipient does not earn BSA Adult Religious Knot as it is not a national award. The Bronze Pelican is typically awarded at a diocesan scouting ceremony or other event.

Criteria for the Bronze Pelican

The following are some examples of ways the Criteria for the Recognition can be met. It is encouraged that a nominee meets several of the criteria for each section, placing emphasis on criteria 2 and 3.

1. Personal & Spiritual Growth and Development

Active prayer life and regular reception of sacraments
Participation in parish retreats, bible study
Models behavior that reflects Gospel values and the values of Scouting

2. Promotion of Catholic Scouting

Member of the JDCCS
Provides leadership or participates at one of the JDCCS events
Assists a trained advisor during Religious Recognition classes
Service as Unit Chaplain
Service as a Unit Religious Emblem Coordinator
Promotion, participation, leadership, and service to catholic scouts at the diocese, parish, unit, district, or council level

3. Dedication & Service in Scouting

Completed orientation and training for the position(s) held in scouting
Serves in a variety of capacities as an adult volunteer in scouting

4. Dedication & Service in Parish Life

Serves in a variety of capacities as an adult volunteer in the parish
Serves in a variety of capacities as an adult volunteer in the community

5, Dedication & Service in the Parish and Community

Must be an active member of the parish community
Serves in a variety of capacities as an adult volunteer in the community
Service to or positions held in other organizations (such as business, civic, religious, educational and fraternal)

5. Is not already a recipient of the St. George Emblem (which is the highest award)

Presentation of Award

The award is presented at the Annual Mass and Religious Recognition Ceremony. If the recipient is unable to attend, the nominator or other designate should be present and accept the award in their honor.

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE BRONZE PELICAN

2024 Fr. John Horan, Ashley Voller, Karen Zeller

2023 Stephen Bull, Ryan Cavanaugh, Nicole Feldman

2022 Esmeralda Bonk, Angelique Minett, Stephanie Quigley

2021 No Recipients

2020 David Burrell, Mollyann Hesser, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, Jonathan

Micetich, Jennifer Schifo

2019 Ryan Thomas Barrie, Alan Berkey, Janet Schramek, Eric Vandergriff

2018 No Recipients

2017 Julie Micetich, James Schutzius, Teresa Sulich, Jayne Wildhirt

2016 Don Cameron, Janeen Feldman, Laura Hillard, Abbot Austin Murphy

2015 Lauren Beranek, Joseph Gaul, Michael Mikos, Michael Nadeau, Sean

Nadeau, Victoria Pelletiere

2014 Burrell Elmore, Phillip Hilliard, Matthew Zurek No Recipients

2013 Donna Doody, William Doody, Matthew Zurek

2012 Tanya Anderson, Marianne Deffenbaugh, Barbara Nadeau, Ken Kasper,

Bill Mammosser, Colleen Chorazyczewski

2011 Mary Puccini & Kathleen Brilk

2010 Chuck Keskel

2005 John Picchietti

2003 Larry Yakich'

1957 Deacon Don Berkey

Nomination Form