Bishop Celebrates Annual Diocesan Scouting Mass

By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/13/03)

In his homily last Sunday, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde talked to nearly 400 diocesan Scouts about heroes and role models, faith and science, the universe and God, honoring, among the heroes, the crew members of the shuttle Columbia and a Virginia seminarian who died before reaching his goal of becoming a priest.

"Those seven brave men and women dedicated their lives to serving the human family by exploring space in an effort to understand more fully God’s design for the universe and how this understanding can benefit the international community," said Bishop Loverde during the Annual Diocesan Scout Mass held at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. Father Jerry A. Wooten, Scout chaplain, concelebrated the Mass, sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Committee.

Bishop Loverde recalled his days as a Scout as a young boy and emphasized the distinguished career and life of Columbia Commander Rick Husband, characterizing him as a true role model of our times.

"As he studied the universe through his telescope, and then in school, he began to be convinced of God’s existence," said Bishop Loverde.

The bishop spoke of another hero of a very different era, seminarian Frank Parater, a native of Virginia, former Scout in Richmond and a seminarian who through Scouting developed his mind, body and soul in order to be a more faithful follower of Jesus.

Parater was born in 1897 and died suddenly at age 23, on Feb. 7, 1920. He died before reaching his goal of being a priest.

During the reception following the Scouting Mass many prayer cards with a picture of Parater were distributed among the Scouts to remember a Scout leader who became a role model.

"Scouting is a vehicle for young men and women to serve God and their country in very practical ways, and I am so proud of the diocesan scouts, from the youngest to the oldest," said Bishop Loverde as he spoke before the Scouts wearing uniforms of many colors and styles identifying each troop. Some wore navy blue pants and shirts with yellow neckerchiefs, and a red band with troop number 127. Another group of brownies, such as troop 3048, wore brown skirts and vests and hose with robin’s egg blue shirts. Still, another group, wore orange sweatshirts and kakhi pants.

"Seeing all these young boys and girls is invigorating and holds a promising future for the Church and the country," said Patrick M. Berney, diocesan chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting and Campfire. Berney said that the diocese currently has more than 1,000 active Scouts.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Loverde told the Scouts that they are the future astronauts, teachers, policemen, engineers, senators, congresswomen and priests of this country.

In addition, he presented the Catholic Religious Awards to 10 distinguished Scouts: Chris Borer, Chris Colton, Devin Gray, Matt Hamilton, Andrew De Rosa, Bryan De Rosa, Adam Kordell, Maria Olivieri, Brett Rogers and Jennifer Wolf.

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