By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/12/04)

Nearly 300 diocesan Scouts, wearing colorful uniforms, sashes and emblems identifying their troops, participated in the 25th Annual Diocesan Scout Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington last Saturday.

Several dozen Scout leaders and trainers, school teachers, members of the Knights of Columbus and parents joined the Mass, celebrated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and sponsored by the Diocesan Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire.

"I am delighted to see that Catholic Scouting is growing throughout the diocese. I want to thank all of you for your faithful support," said Bishop Loverde.

"I believe that Catholic Scouting is an authentic form of youth ministry and helps each of you to develop and deepen your own relationship with God," continued the bishop, who was assisted in the service by concelebrants Fathers Jerry A. Wooten, Scout chaplain; Paul Berghout, assistant chaplain; and Matthew Zuberbueler, parochial vicar of the cathedral. Deacon Samuel Taub and Brother David Eddy also assisted the service.

For Patrick Berney, chairman of the diocesan Catholic Committee, the annual Mass dedicated to Scouts is always an invigorating sign. "We can see these boys and girls will be the leaders of the future, in our diocese and in the country," said Berney.

According to Berney the diocese currently has more that 81 Scouting units with between 6,000 and 7,000 youths involved in different activities.

Annamarie Sproull, a senior Girl Scout from Troop 1534, is one of them. Sproull is a parishioner of St. Leo Parish in Farifax and a Scout since she was in kindergarten. During this silver anniversary Mass she was wearing a blue shirt and kakhi pants, the traditional colors of her troop. Her vest, also kakhi, was filled with emblems to the right, and since last Saturday adorned on the left with the Spirit Alive Medal, which Sproull received from Bishop Loverde.

As in previous years, a reception followed the Mass in the parish hall. Troop by troop, school by school, the scouts formed a line to have the traditional picture taken with Bishop Loverde.

In the line, also awaiting for their turn, were members of the Virginia State Council Knights of Columbus, whose membership director Larry Spallanzani presented a donation to strengthen the diocesan Scouting programs.