MADISON — Each year, Catholic committees on scouting, including those on the diocesan level, take time to honor and recognize adult leaders and committee members who give large amounts of time, effort, and faith to promote scouting for boys and girls.
On November 9, two leaders in the Diocese of Madison were given special recognition for their work with Boy Scouts in the diocese.
Richard Ley, member of St. Dennis Parish in Madison, and Gregory Bergenske, member of St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, were honored at the annual Diocese of Madison Catholic Committee on Scouting (DMCCS) 2014 Annual Adult Recognition Dinner at St. Dennis Church in Madison.
There are several awards available to Boy and Girl Scout leaders and their troops each year. They are not earned, but given out after a nomination and acceptance process carried out by the DMCCS.The awards are not given out every year.
“We’re trying to get the word out that these awards exist,” said Lenny Komorowski, chair of the religious activities committee for the DMCCS. “If people don’t know that they exist, then nobody applies for them,” he added.
Richard Ley
Richard Ley was awarded the Diocese of Madison Bronze Pelican Emblem.
The emblem is conferred upon adults whose contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the Diocese of Madison through Boy Scouting has been noteworthy. The pelican is used as a symbol of Christ’s self-sacrificing love symbolizing adults who give of themselves to nurture youth.
Ley, who couldn’t attend the dinner due to a work commitment, was recognized for his work taking advantage of opportunities and events offered by the DMCCS and promoting scouts to earn religious emblems, such as the “Light of Christ” — helping Cub Scouts develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
Gregory Bergenske
Gregory Bergenske was awarded the National Catholic Committee on Scouting St. George Religious Emblem.
The emblem is conferred upon adults whose contributions to spiritual growth of Catholic youth in the Diocese of Madison and Boy Scouting have been significant and outstanding. The emblem is the highest award that the diocese confers on adults working in Boy Scouting.
Bergenske was recognized for a lifetime dedicated to youth and scouting. He’s been a Cub Scout, Eagle Scout, and Scoutmaster.
Speaking from personal experience, Komorowski — who emceed the dinner — said, “Any time I needed someone to help me . . . Greg was there.” Komorowski added Bergenske has also been known to show scouts how to make Rosaries out of a single piece of rope.
Future awards
The DMCCS hopes to give more awards in upcoming years, but nominations are needed.
For more information on the Diocese of Madison Catholic Committee on Scooting, along with contact information for nominations of worthy scout leaders for awards, visit www.madisondiocese.org/Outreach/CatholicScouting.aspx