Blog

News, stories, and updates from the Troops of Saint George.

May 22, 2018Blogs

Troops of St. George poised for new growth

Bishop Michael F. Olson’s endorsement of the apostolate is an answered prayer The timing is certainly right for an apostolate dedicated to bringing together Catholic fathers and sons, says Brian Squibbs, National Director of Communications and Recruitment for the Troops of St. George. “There’s so much confusion today—especially with regard to what it means to be a man—in our culture,” he explains. “Boys are receiving all the wrong signals, which leads to so many problems as they mature to young men.” The Troops of St. George—founded in 2013—is a fraternal Catholic nonprofit apostolate for priests, men, and young men looking for a life of adventure coupled with virtue. The apostolate has grown to over 1,300 members in 41 fully chartered troops Ultimately, Squibbs says, the organization is poised for growth. “The timing is really perfect,” he said. “Catholics are looking for apostolates that will help them in their vital role of building saints for the new millennium. Our program is based on authentic masculinity—the teachings of the Church that will help foster boys’ growth in virtue. At the same time, it helps their fathers deepen their understanding and love for the Church as well.” When Bishop Michael F. Olson of….

Patrick Novecosky

May 17, 2018Blogs

Troops of St. George approved as official Catholic apostolate

KELLER, Texas (May 17, 2018) — Thousands of young men and their fathers across the country found their prayers answered yesterday when Most Rev. Michael F. Olson, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, officially endorsed the Troops of St. George as a Catholic apostolate. “After a careful review of the program and its contents, including its mission statement, curriculum, pedagogical structure, letters of Ecclesiastical approval, and statement of mission that faithfully reflects and adheres to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, the Troops of Saint George is hereby approved as a Catholic Apostolate of the Diocese of Fort Worth,” the bishop wrote in a letter, dated May 16, 2018. National Executive Director Dr. Jeremy Lustig thanked Bishop Olson for approving the apostolate and for his enthusiasm for the Troops’ work. “Bishop Olson has been enthusiastic about our work from the beginning, so we’re thrilled to have his official approval of our ministry.” Brian Squibbs, National Director of Communications and Recruitment, said the Troops of St. George is needed in our day now more than ever. “With the growing amount of gender confusion in our world today, the Troops of St. George offers Catholic boys and their dads a deep,….

Patrick Novecosky

May 1, 2018Uncategorized

Troop 1531 Celebrates the Feast Day of Saint George…

With a pilgrimage to Saint George Maronite Church in San Antonio, Texas! The men and boys of Troop 1531 of New Braunfels were given a historical tour of both the church and Maronite Rite. Father Khachan also shared some history on the church’s patron, Saint George. After a day of Church history, the men and boys enjoyed a picnic dinner at the parish playground. Saint George, pray for us!

Apr 6, 2018Inspiration

Father Mitch Pacwa on the Troops of Saint George…

“Boys and young men do well to join together for fellowship, to acquire a variety of skills useful in nature and urban life alike, as well as form an identity as they serve the Church, taking new roles of service appropriate to their age and abilities. The Troops of St. George are precisely the type of organization for Catholic youth that fits these needs. Though a new organization, it has both a terrific patron to intercede for them and some experienced men who can direct its successful accomplishment of its goals. I highly recommend the development of Troops of St. George in every parish.” Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ Photography by Captain Tim O’Flaherty

Tim O'Flaherty

Jan 2, 2018Blogs

Troops 1 and 31 Honor our Veterans!

By Tim O’Flaherty Photos by Tim O’Flaherty Troops of Saint George Troops 1, 31 and 33 came out to Porters Army and Navy on Saturday, Veteran’s Day this past November. Cadets helped get old US flags ready for retirement, manned a paintball booth, led a opening flag ceremony and helped sell raffle tickets for a ride in an old MASH style helicopter, to be flown by TSG Troop 1 Capt. Eric Gruchet. The cadets then marched in with the Army Reserves in formation, and stood at attention while the veteran’s filed through carrying old US flags for retirement. Troop 31 has participated the past two years now, and Troop 33 which just started was there for their first year of participation with Troop 1 in honoring our veterans and their families at this Veteran’s day event in Irving, Texas. Thanks for the service to our country and God bless to all our veteran’s here with us and those that have passed on to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tim O'Flaherty

Jan 2, 2018Blogs

TSG Troops helping out the monks at the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Kerens, Texas

By Irene O’Flaherty Pictures by Capt. Eric Gruchet This past June, TSG Troop members and some siblings from Troop 1 and Troop 31 journeyed to the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Kerens, Texas down near Corsicana, Texas. The Monastery was holding a spiritual retreat for the Vietnamese Community that was spread over three days. Each year the cadets from Troop 1 assist the monks during their retreat held in June. The cadets and siblings from both troops helped clear trash cans and trash from the eating areas and kitchens, as well as patrolling the rest of the grounds for full trash cans. Many truck loads full of trash bags were hauled to the dumpsters out back and thrown in. After all the trash hauling and table clean-up, all members from TSG Troops 1 and 31 were able to go around and visit the large Stations of the Cross and visit and pray in the adoration chapel. After a group photo, everyone was glad to head home and get some ice cream.

Tim O'Flaherty

Sep 17, 2017Uncategorized

Troop 40’s Inaugural Campout

Troop 40 of Reading, Pennsylvania held their inaugural campout. It was a success and a learning experience. We embarked on a single night trip just to “test the waters”. Everyone had a good time and the rosary around the campfire was the perfect way to end the evening. We look forward to our next experience. By chance, or the Holy Spirit we ended up viewing the end of a seven day charcoal burn at Hopewell Furnace National Park. A gentleman was nice enough to take our group aside and explain how the “colliers” used to make charcoal for the iron furnace to make pig iron.

Paul Laskowski

Sep 14, 2017Uncategorized

Troop 31 Taking the Helm

By Liam O’Flaherty This Summer, TSG Troop 31 went on a sailing adventure out on Grapevine Lake. The first shift of cadets arrived at the docks by 9am and waited for the arrival of Capt. Glenn. Some tossed around a football while others jumped into the cool water. Soon Capt. Glenn arrived and everyone boarded the Hakuna Matata at 10am sharp. Once the boat was underway out from the docks, Capt. Glenn started going over some of the sailing terms as they started their one hour tour. Out on the open water, Capt. Glenn taught the crew how to tack with the jib sail, sending the Hakuna Matata sailing across the lake to the dam in the distance. Once near the dam, Capt. Glenn turned the boat around and headed back across the lake, letting each of the crew members take the helm and try to steer the boat straight. Later at the dock the next shift of TSG cadets were standing by ready to go out. Capt. Glenn sailed out on three diff. tours with three diff. TSG cadet crews showing them the ropes and making it a great day for one and all. A big thanks to Capt. Glenn and his wife for the time they spent teaching the sailing ropes….

Tim O'Flaherty

Aug 26, 2017Inspiration

A Year Through the Eyes of a Dragon Slayer: A Pictorial Review

By Alex Squibbs With my dad always sharing his point of view on the Troops of Saint George as the National Director of Recruitment (one of those times below with me and my brothers alongside), he asked I take a look back over the last year and share my thoughts. I hope you enjoy the pictorial review of our fun year in Troop 5. In August, we had a new member welcome party and start of our new year at Dove Park spray grounds. We barbequed and the kids played around in the refreshing water. We also earned our new patrol patches and certificates of completion for last year’s (2015-16) patrol requirements. On September 13th, we had our first troop meeting of the 2016-17 year! We reviewed all the safety guidelines and rules. Over 90 boys and dads came! Wow! We had some relay race fun and tried out some new equipment our troop purchased. On the weekend of September 23rd, we had our first campout of the year at the Austin Family Ranch (the troop’s favorite camping spot)! Over 60 Troop 5 boys and dads came. We also learned safety when in contact with a snake or poison ivy. We also learned how to make a shelter with….

Brian Squibbs

Aug 21, 2017Inspiration

Calling all MEN answering the call to lead their families to Virtue in Christ…

No matter your background, are you looking for a way to lead your family to Virtue in Christ? The Troops of Saint George is another tool to add to your tool belt in this lifelong journey! The Troops of Saint George apostolate, working in the tradition of our Catholic faith, being led by the Holy Spirit, and seeking spiritual guidance from the magisterium, is living the re-envisioned outdoors movement. We have seen the damage Satan has done by taking men away from our Catholic faith and true fatherhood at epidemic proportions, leading to widespread issue amongst the clergy and families across the globe. Through this clergy, fathers, and sons movement in the Catholic Tradition, the Troops of Saint George look to the inspired words of Proverbs 27: 17, “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another”. With fathers (male guardians) and clergy being members alongside our boys, not only do our boys gain much needed masculine fellowship rooted in our Catholic faith, but us men sharpen each other as we look to join our Sisters in Christ in leading our family to Him and through our Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and the Saints. We seek to guard against the evil of Satan in us men and our….

Brian Squibbs

Jul 4, 2017Best Practices

Starting your day with a 1, 2, 3, 4…

After 9 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Keller, Texas, we were blessed with a collection of American songs and hymns to celebrate Independence Day. As we completed the Marine Corp Hymn (and I fought back the urge to yell HOORAH), I was reminded of some of the roots to the Holy Spirit inspired 1, 2, 3, 4 in our family’s morning routine. As many of you may be aware from past blog posts or interviews, I have been blessed with a journey of reversion to the faith of my roots in the Catholic Church these past several years. My ears started to open to the Holy Spirit’s call with the miracle and joy of each new child, led me to the Troops of Saint George founded by a convert to the faith, kept my journey alive in starting to attend Guns and Rosaries (a men’s Rosary group), and added gasoline to the flames in starting the Intentional Encounter 40 Day Challenge that lead me right into Exodus 90, which has turned into a lifetime journey towards Christ! All this to say, our household morning routine was due for some tweaks, and with the noise Satan so desires to be cranked up finally being filtered….

Brian Squibbs

Jul 2, 2017Uncategorized

TSG Troop 31’s Airplane Outing

By Sean O’Flaherty Early in the morning on May 30th a small group of cadets from TSG Troop 31, consisting of five senior cadets, one junior cadet, and two leaders, traveled to Gainesville, Texas for a special experience. The cadets and their leaders had been invited by Captain Denison for a ride in his small Cessna 172 airplane. Taking two cadets at a time, Captain Denison took off and showed the cadets the brilliant panorama below. Once Captain Denison reached a safe flying altitude and distance in the air, he let each cadet grab the flight controls and fly the airplane. The cadets flew the small airplane well, performing maneuvers taught by Captain Denison and helping land the airplane. While Captain Denison was up in the air with some of the cadets in his small airplane, another pilot First Officer Jones flew in from south Ft. Worth and showed the other cadets his classic aircraft the North American Aviation T-28 Trojan. The plane was a restored Air Force T-28 trainer cirqa 1950s, painted as a Navy trainer plane that he had helped restore with his father. The pilot even let the boys climb up and jump into the cockpit for a….

Tim O'Flaherty