November 13, 2021

Annual Scouting Awards Mass held at St. Michael’s Cathedral

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD  — The annual Scouting Awards Mass was held Sunday, Nov. 7, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield at 1:30 p.m. Scouting chaplain Father Yerick Mendez was the celebrant, with Father C.J. Waitekus, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow, as the concelebrant. Venture Scouts and Scouts BSA were recognized for their efforts in earning their religious emblems during the past year.

 “I think that Catholic Scout awards are an opportunity for our Scouts to get involved more deeply in their faith and also to provide a good example to others,” said Father Mendez.

Four Scouts received the BSA Pope Pius XII award. Pope Pius XII served from 1939 to 1958. The award is given to Scouts in high school. They must complete a program which often includes a retreat and youth-led discussions on issues facing the church and the culture.

“It’s important to work towards your religious Scouting emblems because it gives you another path to learn and be involved in your religion and learn about Jesus’ story and how to help others and be involved in your community,” said recipient Sarah Dee, Venture Crew 164 of St. Thomas Parish in Palmer.

Also receiving the Pope Pius XII award were Kathleen Day, Venture Crew 164, Divine Mercy Parish, Palmer; John Dee, Venture Crew 164, St. Thomas Parish, Palmer; and Aidan Day, BSA Troop 164, St. Thomas Parish, Palmer.

“I feel like it allowed me to become closer to God and become involved in my religion,” said Aidan Day.

Three Scouts received the Ad Altare Dei Award, which means to the altar of God. They are Garrett Lafond, BSA Troop 164, Divine Mercy Parish, Palmer; Noah Simard, BSA Troop 180, St. Elizabeth Parish, Ludlow; and Torcato Zina, BSA Troop 180, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Ludlow.

Three Scouts received the Pillars of Faith Award: Kathleen Day, Venture Crew 164 Divine Mercy Parish, Palmer; Aidan Day, BSA Troop 164, Divine Mercy Parish, Palmer; and John Dee, Venture Crew 164, St. Thomas Parish in Palmer.

“What impressed me the most is the fact that in a day when the secular world seems to take precedent so frequently, that you have families that impress upon their youth and adults willing to work with the youth to help them further examine their faith and practice it in their Scouting,” said Bill Hoefler, member of the Catholic Committee on Scouting and South Hadley Scouts BSA Troop 303.

This year marks the 67^th anniversary of Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Springfield.

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-22NEWS.