Catholic Scouting Awards

Bensonhurst Church Hosts Religious Recognition Honors

By Linda Busetti

Six young Scouts from Pack 139, St. Helen’s, Howard Beach, arrived early at St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst, for the annual diocesan Scouting Religious Recognition Ceremony, last Sunday.

Thomas, Andrew and Matthew Mercatante, James Leonard, Matthew Caizza and Roberto Williams were among 38 Scouts to receive the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) Award from Retired Bishop Thomas V. Daily.

Den leader Tom Mercatante explained that the boys had worked for a little over a year completing booklets and projects meant to help them discover the presence of God in their daily lives in their families, parish and communities.

Linda Busetti Photos

Scoutmaster Ray Torres brought members of Troop 238 of St. Edmund’s, Sheepshead Bay. Six were to also receive the Parvuli Dei Award, while two others were to receive the Light of Christ Award, the first of five religious emblems available in Boy Scouting.

Brandon Torres, the Scoutmaster’s son, kindly explained the significance of some of the many badges, which decorated his red vest. His favorite was for the Klondike Derby, for which Troop members built a sled, which won a local Brooklyn competition last winter. His dad, who has been a Scout himself since 1961, said that Scouting provides the youngsters with “challenges” through many “very creative and exciting projects.”

The Brownies Troop 2226 arrived from Holy Name of Jesus, Park Slope. Brianna Carril, Celeste Farrell-Pereira, Gemma Gerrard, Meghan Pastore and Angelica Schwartz all were there to receive the Family of God Award, which recognizes growth “as Christian persons” and “responsible members of their family, parish, Girl Scout Troop and community.”

A large contingent from Brownie Troop 4023 and Junior Troop 4017 from St. Mel’s, Flushing, gathered in the St. Athanasius schoolyard where a parade of Boy and Girl Scouts was assembling. Twenty-two among them were to receive the Family of God Award.
Scouts from Pack 49, Sacred Heart, Bayside, as well as from Pack 427, Sacred Heart, Glendale, to be honored with the Parvuli Dei Award, found their places amid the flags.

Marlene Marshall, who has coordinated Scouting religious programs at Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights for 29 years, was waiting for her Scouts to arrive. Five of the 15-year-olds from Troop 333 were to receive the Pope Pius XII National Unit Recognition Award. The award is given to “oIder Scouts and Explorers who have probed the moral and spiritual issues which the young people face today.” Marshall, whose own two sons are Eagle Scouts, says it is harder today than ever before to keep young people interested in Scouting. There are so many distractions, she said. So she was very proud of Fabian Manstra, Jelani McKenzie, Brett Jackson, Bryce Aguilera and Antonio Pereira for their work, which earned them the Pope Pius XII medal.

Msgr. David Cassato, pastor of St. Athanasius, greeted the members of the parish’s Troop 99 before they marched out of the schoolyard for a short parade up 61st St. and around the block to the church.

State Senator Martin Golden and Deacon Thomas Stadnik of the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, Williamsburg, joined Msgr. Cassato on the rectory steps to review the parade of Girl and Boy Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts.

After the American and troop flags were carried into the church, everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance before the colors were retired.

Brian Long, chairman of the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, whose hard work made the day’s events run so smoothly, welcomed Scouts and their leaders and families.

Bishop Daily welcomed everyone and said how good it was to be “very much involved in patriotism today” with the display of flags. The bishop said that through Scouting there is service to God and country. “Scouting is founded on a deep trust in God and God’s love,” he said.

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