St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria was filled with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts last Sunday, dressed in their uniforms and wriggling with excitement to receive from Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, the religious emblems they had earned.

Surrounding them at the annual Diocesan Scout Mass were their proud parents and Scout leaders. They also had the support of their pastors, many of whom concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Jenky.
But something was missing — or, rather, someone.

“For those of us who have come to a few of these Diocesan Scout Masses, we are used to a rather tall fellow with a lack of hair but a booming big voice standing here at the pulpit and announcing all the names of the recipients and making all those last-minute announcements,” said Father Glenn Harris, chaplain to the Diocese of Peoria Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS) and pastor of St. Edward’s Parish in Chillicothe, just before the awards were given.

“That faithful Scout leader was Dr. Doug Loberg, who served as the chair of the Catholic Committee for more than 18 years,” Father Harris said. “As you can see, he is not standing up here this year. Unfortunately, about nine weeks ago Dr. Loberg unexpectedly passed away. I know he will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Loberg’s widow, Dr. Vickie Loberg, attended the Mass and Father Harris assured her of the prayers of Bishop Jenky and the entire Scouting family. “Your loss is our loss,” he said.

She also received a Bronze Pelican award for being “the unseen force that has helped Dr. Doug do all that he has in Scouting.”

Noting that Dr. Loberg would be the first to say the work must continue to go forward, Father Harris said a memorial scholarship had been established in the late leader’s name to help at-risk Scouts go to summer camp. The Loberg family is also working with the W.D. Boyce Council of the Boy Scouts of America to start a memorial endowment to maintain the new Centennial Chapel that is nearing completion at the Ingersoll Scout Reservation.

ENCOURAGING OTHERS
Dr. Linda Atherton, a member of the DCCS for 14 years and active in the Scouting program in the Prairielands Council, has been appointed by Bishop Jenky to succeed Dr. Loberg. A member of St. Matthew’s Parish in Champaign, she presented the Scouts to the bishop and asked that he confer the medals and emblems on them.

“Doug will be remembered for his booming voice and physical presence. Even more so for his boundless enthusiasm for all things Scouting and his core faith and Catholicism,” Dr. Atherton told The Catholic Post. “He led through generous giving to others of his time, talents and treasure. Countless Scouts have benefited from his passion over many years.”

While his death leaves “a deep and palpable hole” in the Catholic Scouting community, she said “his enthusiasm lives on and his example will continue to encourage all who knew him and loved him.”

Bishop Jenky spoke about that kind of encouragement in his homily, saying, “It is a good thing to be there for other people.”

“Scouting is essentially about being a giver in this life, not just a taker. To be an encourager, not a discourager,” he told the young people. “(It’s) about living life with a certain intensity, a certain action. That is what makes life wonderful even in the face of life’s challenges and limitations.”

He said it’s true that glory goes to those who achieve badges and honors and awards, “but there’s also glory that goes to your families and there’s certainly great blessing in the Scout leaders who urge you on, who believe in you, and who encourage you and call you to keep growing and changing all your lives.”

Bishop Jenky reminded them that the ultimate source of encouragement is God, who not only believes in them and loves them, but “calls you to be your best possible self.”

MORE THAN 140 HONORED
The religious medal programs for the Girl Scouts of America were developed by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to assist young women in their faith formation. This year Family of God medals (for ages 7 to 9) were earned by 34 girls; I Live My Faith medals (for ages 9 to 11) went to four girls; Mary, The First Disciple (also know as the Marian Medal, for ages 12 to 15) was given to three; and the Spirit Alive medal (for Catholic Scouts in high school) was presented to seven young women.

Religious emblems for the Boy Scouts of America were developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and the Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. The Light of God emblem (for Tiger and Wolf Cub Scouts) went to 57 boys; the Parvuli Dei emblem (for youth who have completed the second grade) was earned by 27 boys; and the Pope Pius XII emblem (for young men ages 15 to 16 and all registered Venturers and Boy Scouts) was awarded to two.

Adult honors, such as the Bronze Pelican and Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, are given not earned. Candidates must be nominated by those who know them and can attest to their dedication and service.

In addition to Dr. Vickie Loberg, the Bronze Pelican was awarded to four men and women, including three from St. Luke’s Parish in Eureka. The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award was given to four women active in Scouting in Champaign, Chillicothe and Urbana.