ROL Parishioner Gabriel (Gabby) Balais awarded Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

ROL Parishioner Gabriel (Gabby) Balais awarded Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem

During a special Saturday night Boy Scout Mass at the Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, Resurrection of the Lord parishioner, Alter Server and Saint Louis High School junior Gabriel (Gabby) Balais, (along with Walter Benevitz another ROL Alter Server), was awarded the Ad Altare Dei (Catholic) Religious Emblem by Bishop Larry Silva. This emblem is awarded not by the Boy Scouts of America, but by various religious groups. Gabby was awarded this emblem by the Diocese of Honolulu Catholic Committee on Scouting (DHCCS), after completing the Ad Altare Dei class, which was conducted at ROL parish. The Ad Altare Dei (to the alter of God) program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments as the primary means towards spiritual growth. Gabby and his proud parents, Bobby and Eloise Balais, would like to give special Mahalo’s to Gabby’s Ad Altare Dei instructor, Uncle John Wheeler; his Confirmation Director, Auntie Liz Shippen; his Confirmation Sponsor, Uncle Kerry Nishimoto; and Scout Chaplain for DHCCS, Fr. Paul Zaccone, ss.cc for their guidance and support. The Balais family (Gabby’s brother Matt is a freshman at Saint Louis High) feels truly blessed to have these spiritual guides in Gabby’s life. This family is a great example of the “Holy Family” that all families are called to be. (Reported by Bob Mace, photo by Balais family)

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011