Sacrament of Confirmation Given in Texas   The Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion were given to youth at the Oratory of Saint Thomas a Becket in Texas recently. The Apostolic Prefect presided over the ceremony. This is the fourth confirmation rite in the past year, representing the Metropolitan See's continued committment to growth and the spiritual developement of the faithful under the care of the Traditional Old Anglo-Catholic Church. We pray that all new confirmands will grow in their catholic faith throughout the course of their lives. Religious Emblems Presented to Boy Scouts January 2010 Two Boy Scouts and one adult Scout leader were presented with the Imperial Distinguished Scout of the Holy Roman Empire award. This is a religious award that Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, both in the USA and around the world, can earn. Adult leaders may also qualify. The award is given not just to Anglo-Catholics, but to those of all Christian faiths. The applicant must qualify for the religious emblem given by their denomination first. Further requirements involve community or church service, academic excellence, scouting leadership, and historical research. Recipients should show how the history of the faith can be applied and made relevant today. Members of the Metropolitan See remain active with Boy Scouts. This is an important ministry of the Church. The Boy Scouts, for more than a century, have helped boys grow into men and become productive members of society. Many have pointed to Boy Scouts as the most influential organization in their lives; an organization that helped them to be successful. More importantly, Boy Scouts helps to preserve our Christian heritage. In an age of our faith being under attack on many fronts, Boy Scouts stands firm. The Imperial Distinguished Scout award exists to recognize not just the individuals who remain firm in their faith and exhibit Christian service to others, but also the organization that they are a part of. For more information on youth or adults earning this award, please contact the Metropolitan Curia at curia@southwestdiocese.org. Economics Policy Paper Presented at American Economics Association Atlanta, Georgia January 2010 The current period of economic crisis has left many seeking answers to difficult questions. Christian economists turn to faith to explain what is happening and to find a possible solution. Archbishop Johnson presented a paper entitled "A Theological and Mathematical Model of the Loss of Religious Values Following "Excessive Affluence" and Its Potential Contribution to an Economic Crisis" at a session during the 2010 national meeting of the American Economics Association and ASSA. (Click here to read a pdf of the paper.) As part of the ADSW's continuing mission to aid the people of the world, this paper was written to provide insight into the current situation and suggest implications for economic policy. The key point of the paper is that theology teaches us that what is generally considered sound economic policy might, in a period of spiritual and moral decline, simply fuel the problem and lead to an economic crisis or make an existing crisis worse. During the Conference, Archbishop Johnson led one of the Daily Offices at the Cathedral of Saint Philip for the Association of Christian Economists     Archdiocese Represented at International Education Conference South Korea January 2010 The Metropolitan with former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hyun-Jae Several members of the Archdiocese were present at an international educational conference dealing with higher education issues and opportunities between China and Korea. In attendance at this conference were leaders of the top universities of both nations, and well as government leaders, including a former Korean Prime Minister and the current Chinese Ambassador. Through education, international differences can be resolved, barriers can be broken, and the elusive dream of peace can come one step closer to being reality. This conference, at which the Archdiocese was privileged to be represented as part of its own efforts for peace and freedom around the world, is an important part of that effort. New Presentation of Religious Award to Boy Scout A Boy Scout receives the Imperial Distinguished Scout award while a member of the Regional committee looks on. A Boy Scout received the Imperial Distinguished Scout of the Holy Roman Empire award during his troop meeting in late January while other recipients of the award were present. The recipient qualified for the Catholic religious emblem in Scouting, and then completed the additional requirements for the Holy Roman Empire award. The award is managed in part by the Archdiocese of the Southwest as part of its outreach ministry. Several recipients of the Imperial Distinguished Scout of the Holy Roman Empire award.