Scouts told never stop, ‘We need you’ at awards ceremony

For more than 100 years, scouting has built character, good citizenship, and leadership qualities in young men and women. Core to the ideal scout is a reverence to God and a faithfulness in religious duties. 

To honor the members of Scouting America, Girls Scouts of the USA and American Heritage Girls who pursue religious emblems, the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting hosted the annual Religious Awards Ceremony on April 12 at St. Joseph Cathedral. Four religious emblems were handed out to the young scouts, and two diocesan priests received an award for their contribution.

“Part of the Boy Scout oath is to do your duty to God, and part of the Boy Scout law is that a scout is reverent. So, by earning your emblems you are fulfilling that duty to God and being reverent. So, it’s a mainstay of scouting,” explained Jim Smyczynski, chairman of the Buffalo Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Bishop Michael W. Fisher, episcopal liaison to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke of his own experiences as a Boy Scout in his welcoming.

“Scouting means an awful lot to me,” he said. “It meant a lot to my vocation. As I’ve said before, I would not be standing here right now if it wasn’t for scouting. It’s always good that we can come to celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of scouts as they lift their gifts to God as they reflect on the relationship with the Lord in the midst of all the wonderful activities that we engage in in scouting.”

Father Leon Biernat, diocesan chaplain for the Boy Scouts, delivered a message during Mass for the Scouts, Catholics and anyone who feels like quitting. He brought in a sign from his gym that reads, “Pause if you must, but never stop.”

Looking at Isiah, who paused as he was tortured; St. Paul who paused due to his awareness of his own sins; and St. Peter who paused when asked to follow Jesus’ fishing instructions, Father Biernat reminded the congregation in his homily they did not stop.

“Peter had more ups and downs than the stock market. He is the perfect disciple. An example because many of us will have similar ups and downs and maybe we’ll pause, but we can’t stop,” he said.

Congratulating the scouts, he reminded the teenagers of their value to the world. “Scouting needs you. Our Church needs you. Too many have paused for a long time. And too many have stopped,” he said.

As scouting chaplain for 10 years, and priest for 33, he has seen scout troops disband and parishes close because people have paused too long or stopped altogether.

“We honor you, not only as scouts, but as the young Church. Please, pause if you must, but do not stop. Scouting needs you to continue. You are the next crew of leaders. Scouting, the Church, your parish, our diocese needs you.”

Bishop Fisher reinforced Father Biernat’s words.

“We need you. We need your example, particularly as you share and reflect how important your faith is to you,” he said.

A scout for six years, Lucas Odojewski from Troop 58, chartered by St. Christopher Parish in Tonawanda, earned the last of his religious medals – the Pope Pius XII Award, which signifies learning to lead a Christian life.

“I got involved with scouts to connect with my community,” he said. “I met a lot of good leaders through scouting. Some of the kids here. We’re very connected.”

Scouts earn the emblem through working with religious leaders and following lessons from a workbook.

He learned communication skills and how God is involved in your current life and how He will remain involved in the future.

Troop mate Alex Pohl finds scouting to be a good way to connect to his peers.

“It’s a good way to connect with other boys doing the same thing, learning the same things. It’s a good way to meet new people. Interact with the community,” he said.

Below is a complete list of Religious Emblem recipients:

• Ad Altare Dei
• Charlotte Hinrichs, St. Stephen, Grand Island, Troop 229G
• Louisa Hinrichs, St. Stephen, Grand Island, Troop 229G
• Joseph Janiszeski, St. John the Baptist, Boston, Troop 400
• Zachary Petroski, St. Mary of the Assumption, Lancaster, Troop 545
• Sam Gullo, Immaculate Conception, East Aurora, Troop 599 
• Dylan Trzepacz, St. Gabriel, Elma, Troop 618
• Pope Pius XII
• Addie Czesak, SS. Peter & Paul, Williamsville, Crew 457
• John Bishouty, Our Lady of Peace, Clarence, Troop 27
• Lucas Odojewski, St. Christopher, Tonawanda, Troop 58
• Alex Pohl, St. Christopher, Tonawanda, Troop 58
• Johnathan Samol, St. Christopher, Tonawanda, Troop 58
• Elliot Czesak, SS. Peter & Paul, Williamsville, Troop 229
• Leo Grupp, St. Leo the Great, Amherst, Troop 431
• Lukas Grupp, St. Leo the Great, Amherst, Troop 431
• Richard Anderson, St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville, Troop 457
• Simon Reda, St. Rose of Lima, Buffalo, Troop 539
• Anthony Aguglia, St. John Vianney, Orchard Park, Troop 1776
• Andrew Eodcie, St. Vincent de Paul, Springbrook
• Connor Rozak, Blessed Sacrament, Buffalo
• Bishop’s Scouting Award
  Anthony Aguglia, St. John Vianney, Orchard Park, Troop 1776
• Leo Grupp, St. Leo the Great, Amherst, Troop 431
• Lukas Grupp, St. Leo the Great, Amherst, Troop 431
• International Catholic Awareness Medallion
• Jacob Sterner, SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg, Troop 400
• Bronze Pelican
• Father David Baker, Diocese of Buffalo
• Father Sean Paul Fleming, Diocese of Buffalo