February 4, 2019

Scout Recognition Mass held at St. Michael’s Cathedral

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Stephen Kiltonic

SPRINGFIELD – On Saturday, Feb. 2, a special Mass was held for Scouting Recognition Sunday at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from troops across western Massachusetts, along with members of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) leadership team, gathered to celebrate Mass with Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.

The Mass coincided with an historic moment in the BSA. As of Feb. 1, for the first time in the 109-year-old history of the BSA, young ladies 11-18, will be allowed to become part of the BSA program.

“They’ll be able to get the same advancements and do the same things boys their age will be able to do and earn their Eagle Scout Award,” said John Ecevarria, the Scout executive and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts of America. “We’ve always had girls in the program since the early 1970s but it was specific ages, like 14-20. Now, we’re expanding our programs to allow young ladies of all ages.”

Boys or girls who join will be known as Scouts without a gender modifier.

Ecevarria, who arrived recently from San Antonio, Texas, said about three units from western Massachusetts are going to be registering in the next couple of days, roughly encompassing about 40 girls. Nationwide, about 2,000 girls are expected to join.  

Cheryl Izyk, vice president of membership for the Western Massachusetts Council of the BSA, spoke to boys at camp last year in preparation for the change.

“They think it’s wonderful that their sisters can participate in the same program, earn Eagle Scout Awards and do all the activities,” said Izyk. “Young people are very happy with this and the girls are so excited. This is what families have been asking for.”

Last year, for the first time, Cub Scouts started to admit girls in its ranks as well as boys.   

The highlight of the Mass occurred at the end. Paul Lizak, the emblem coordinator for BSA, called four boys to the altar to be recognized f or achieving the Light of Christ Awards: Zack Restucci; Giovanni Durocher; and Javier and Juan Herrera.

The purpose of the Light of Christ Awards are for Cub Scouts to develop a personal relationship with Jesus with parents’ active assistance and participation.

Javier Herrera, 12, from Troop 275 in East Longmeadow, joined the Cub Scouts in the first grade. Now a Boy Scout, he has enjoyed his experience immensely, especially at the various campouts he’s attended in Pennsylvania, Maine and Cape Cod.

“We’re learning how to cook. We’re learning how to do the tents. We’re learning how to be part of a team and to be a leader, to know the requirements of how to be an Eagle Scout,” said Herrera. “To me, it’s just astonishing how this has been set up. This is awesome.”

In his new position, Ecevarria hopes to expand the BSA programs to serve “all youth, no matter from what walk of life.”

“We don’t want anything to hinder their possibility of joining Scouts. We give leadership, adventure, service. So, those are good values that we want our kids to have,” he said.  

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-TV22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.