Annual Convocation Mass honors Diocese Scouts for emblems earned

GREENSBURG – Bishop Larry J. Kulick told those honored at the Diocese of Greensburg’s annual Scout Convocation Mass about how being a good Scout can be connected to being a good Catholic.

Bishop Kulick presided over the annual celebration of Catholic Scouting in the Diocese that took place May 2 at St. Paul Parish during which nine scouts received emblems – seven Girl Scouts and two Boy Scouts. The emblems are medals created by the various religious groups represented in Scouting. Their purpose is to encourage youth and adults to grow stronger in their faith as part of their Scouting experience.

“The church represented in our Catholic tradition is present here today celebrating with you, but also encouraging you to continue on the road to being a good and faithful Scout and reminding you that being a good and faithful Scout doesn’t mean that you can’t also be a good and faithful Catholic, practicing your faith, living your faith, giving others an example of your faith,” Bishop Kulick said during his homily.

The Bishop said having that connection to Jesus can go a long way toward shaping a person’s identity.

“When we are connected to Christ, we resemble Christ,” Bishop Kulick said. “Jesus calls us to be connected to him. He is the vine, we are the branches and through that we not only survive, but we are called to thrive and grow.”   

A smaller group than usual received emblems this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic affected Scouts’ opportunities to get together. There also were no adults honored this year, and no reception took place after the Mass.

“It has been a challenging year for all of us and a challenging year for the church as we’ve dealt with all of the vagaries of the pandemic,” said Father E. George Saletrik, Diocesan Scout Chaplain. “Our Scouts always do wonderful work and it’s wonderful to acknowledge that.”

This year’s emblem awardees are:

Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania

• Kateri Tekakwitha Emblem: Emma Hrbek, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg, and Trixie Lim, Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville; both of Troop 21871. (The emblem is for sixth-graders to help advance religious knowledge and spiritual formation.)
• Mary, The First Disciple (Marian) Emblem: Riley Campbell and Paige Kline, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg, and Zilola Giaramita and Penelope Lim, Mother of Sorrows Parish, all from Troop 21871. (The emblem is for seventh- and eighth-graders to encourage the understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality.)
• Elizabeth Ann Seton Emblem: Audrianne Marie Speidel, Holy Family Parish, Seward, Independent Girl Scout. (This emblem is for 11th- and 12th-graders to encourage giving witness to the Christian life and to the love of neighbors and demonstrating knowledge of the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.)

Boy Scouts of Western Pennsylvania

• Pope Pius XII Emblem: Joseph Kudla, St. Anne Parish, Rostraver, Troop 1543, and Parker Lilliock, St. Anne Parish, Troop 1448. (The emblem encourages high school boys to examine how being a Christian affects daily living and provides them with an opportunity to share their faith among peers.)