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Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic Committee on Scouting Convocation Sunday afternoon, April 28, 2013 St. Athanasius Church Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204  There was a buzz of activity as a group of Scouts, leaders, parents and
friends gathered under a bright sky in the parking lot at St. Athanasius Church. Catholic NET TV was present and recorded
video footage and interviewed many attending the event. The Convocation began with a brief procession by all present,
flanked at the begining by American and Unit Flags and the Diocese Committee on Scouting Banner. The NYPD was present
and assisted with traffic control and safety during the three block long procession parade. All entering St. Athanasius
Church were greeted by the music of the church organ and the voice of Brooklyn Scouter/ St. Athanasius Cantor Eric Hanrehran
who wonderfully led "God Bless America" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic". Diocesian Scout Chaplain,
& Eagle Scout Rev. Tom Vassolotti, led the service and congratulated the awardees on behalf of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.
Committee Chairman, Henry Zalak served as the events emcee. Chris Dono, Catholic Committee Awards Chairman assisted
Father Tom with the presentation of the awards.  The names of the Girl Scout awardees were read by Julie Mansour, Girl Scout Leader and Catholic
Committee Member from St. Mels Church, Queens. Henry Zalak and Anthony Zalak, respectively Catholic Committee Chairman
and Committee Member, and members of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Queens read the names of the Cub and Boy Scout and Adult Religious
Awards receipients. Many of the Scouts, Parents and Unit leaders took time to take photos of their awardees. NET TV
remained to interview some of the Girl Scout and Boy Scout awardees after they received their awards. Eric, accompanied
by the Church Organist led the final departing hymn "Let Their Be Peace on Earth". All scouts and leaders
were presented a Catholic Committee on Scouting - emblem in recognition of attending the Convocation. Before traveling
home, most of the awardees and their parents and leaders paused for some refreshments at the St. Athanasius School Auditorium.
Scouts from St. Athanasius Troop 99 were on hand for service at the Convocation, assisting with service collection, and distribution
of refreshments at the School. Several leaders attending the Convocation responded to Chairman Henry Zalak's invitation
for new volunteers to serve the needs of Catholic Scouts in Brooklyn and Queens, by volunteering at Diocese of Brooklyn Committee
on Scouting events, or by serving as youth religious emblem counselors. Parishes and Scout Units now start the process
of identifying worthy nominees for Adult Religious Emblem Recognitions. Those awards will be presented by Bishop Nicholas
DiMarzio, at the 2013 Bishops Dinner on Scouting Event, on September 19th, at the El Caribe Country Club Catereers, Brooklyn.
- Paul D. Stanton
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