Annual Scout Mass celebrates youth faith, achievement

Catholic Scouting is a ministry that combines fellowship, fun, and friends with faith exploration, learning and service through participation in religious activities that earn patches, as well as programs to earn religious emblems (medals).

Each year, the Diocese celebrates a Mass for all those involved in scouting and present awards to those who have earned religious emblems through various programs.  On June 23, Father John Barbella, diocesan chaplain and moderator of the diocesan Catholic Scouting Apostolate, was the main celebrant and homilist for the annual Scout Mass and award ceremony, held in St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bridgewater.

On the vigil feast day of St. John, the Baptist, Father Barbella encouraged the youth in attendance to follow in the footsteps of the prophets Jeremiah and John the Baptist to live out their individual vocation paths.  He advised that they had good training available to them in the many medals offered by the national scouting programs as well as numerous other shorter Catholic Scout activities.

After Mass, Father Barbella recognized twenty-one Scouts in grades 4 to 12 from nine parishes across the Diocese who earned Religious Emblems (see side bar). In addition, nine new Eucharistic Revival religious activity patches were introduced, including a central patch for Mass attendance, surrounded by patches for reconciliation, rosary, family prayer, parish ministry, Eucharistic Adoration, Eucharistic Miracles, Eucharistic Procession and Eucharistic Activity.

Special recognition was also given this year to Scouts who worked on the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Award which is a program activity in the American Saints series. St. Kateri, also called the Lily of the Mohawks, is recognized as an intercessor for the environment.

Eleven Girl Scouts earned this patch by learning about the life of St. Kateri, who was the first Native American woman declared a saint. She is a model for those who remain steadfast in their faith despite opposition. To honor her as a patron saint of environmental issues, butterfly plants were planted in two parishes in the Diocese. A third was planted at St. Bernard following the June 23 Mass and ceremony.

Receiving the St. Kateri patch were: Angelina Albanese, Kaylesh Bender, Sofia Colpas, Gabriella DeSaulniers, Malaika DeSaulniers, Sophia Elizondo, Leah Kahsai, Gabrielle Lombardo, Abigail Maillaro, Sophie Mamur and Guilianna Roccia.

Further information can be found at diometuchen.org/catholic scouting and the websites for the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry or the National Catholic Committee on Scouting:

nfcym.org/programs/nccgscf/religious-recognition-programs-patches/  or   catholicscouting.com/religious-emblems-and-activities/

Individuals interested in the spiritual development of young people in scouting are urged to contact either Nora Burke Klippstein for Boy Scouts, [email protected], or Doreen Sekora for Girl Scout, [email protected]. Please also contact Doreen for information on the GS Gathering Day to be held in the fall.

Nora Burke Klippstein is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton, and serves with the diocesan Catholic Scouting Apostolate.

 

RELIGIOUS MEDAL RECIPIENTS

AD ALTARE DEI     Boy Scouts Grades  7-12
Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville: Jonathan (JT) Klimuc
St. John Vianney, Colonia: Mehki Isaac

I LIVE MY FAITH     Girl Scouts   Grades 4-5
Immaculate Conception, Spotswood: Danielle Cugini
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Three Bridges:
     Sofia Colpas, Leah Kahsai, Gabrielle Lombardo
     Sophie Mamur, Guilianna Roccia

MARY THE 1ST DISCIPLE    Girl Scouts   Grades 6-8
Immaculate Conception, Spotswood: Emily Cugini
Our Lady of Victories, Sayreville: Kayleigh Allison Bender,
     Maricella Colon, Jacynda Trujillo
St. Ann, Hampton:
     Gabriella DeSaulniers, Malaika DeSaulniers
St. Bernadette, Parlin: Sophie Rose Elizondo
St. Elizabeth Seton, Three Bridges: Angelina Albanese
St. Stanislaus, Sayreville: Angelica Biernacki
St. Theresa, Parlin: Abigail Rose Maillaro

SPIRIT ALIVE     Girl Scouts   Grades 9-12
Immaculate Conception, Spotswood:
     Grace Mandy, Madeline Rogala