2014 Diocese of Brookln Scout Retreat and Day of Recollection

The Scouting Youth participated in Spiritual Growth and Faith Development Activities led by Steve Pulick, and Deacon Chris Heanue. Maribeth Dono, of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, presented a gift of Saint Francis of Assisi - Craft projects to the younger scouts. Our Retreat Adults learned more about Scouting as a Youth Ministry, by participating in National Catholic Leadership Development Sessions One and Two - Led by Scout Chaplains Fr.Tom Vassalotti, Fr. Joe Zwosta, Transitional Deacon Chris Heanue and CCOS Leader Donald Miserandino. Catholic Religious Emblem Information and Counselor Training Introduction was - Led by CCOS member Robert Brown . Virtus Youth Protection Training was Conducted on behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn Office of Safe Environments, for nearly a dozen adults. by Robert Beau Conlon. Spiritual, Faith and Personal Peace Enhancing Discussions were moderated by Scout Chaplains and COS Committee Members. A panel discussion focused on " Ways to Strenghten Relationships between Scouting Units and Their Sponsoring Institutions/ Charter Partners" was led by Chaplains T. Vassalotti and J. Zwosta, and facilitated by CCOS Chairman Paul Stanton. All paused for a Holy Hour from 3:45 -4:45 PM, which included Adoration, Confession, and Penance. Mass was celebrated at 5:00 PM. Most Rev. Aux Bishop Raymond Chappetto, D.D., V.G. was our lead celebrant, with Rev. Fathers Vassalotti and Zwosta, and Transitional Deacon Chris Heanue co-celebrants. Catered meals were prepared and served by Walter Cary, John Reeves Conference Facility Director, and his most capable catering staff at the John Whitehead Cubworld Dining Hall. We followed our "Living Rosary" prayer service, with an Ice Cream Social. Retreat participants then returned home or to their campsites after a long day of activity. Some found their tents were flooded and sleeping bags wet, after heavy down long rain that didn't break until after 2:30 pm Saturday. We had Sunday morning prayers, and after breakfast at the Cub World Dining Hall, invited all the youth participants remaining to share their own personal evaluations of the Retreat. All then worked to clean their camp sites, and Reeves Lodge to a condition better than they found on arrival. We closed the Retreat on a warm beautiful, sunny, Sunday Morning.