Scout Sunday at St. Stephens R.C.C.

The weekend of February 25 and 26, 2017, was dedicated to the Scouts of Unit 305 at St. Stephen's Church in Kearny. Cub Scout rank advancement was celebrated at the annual Blue and Gold banquet on Saturday evening. The highlight was the special ceremony bridging nine Webelos into Boy Scouts as they were awarded their "Arrow of Light" by Scout leaders and their parents. The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn; this rank emblem carries over onto the Boy Scout uniform.

The entertainment at the Blue and Gold was provided by the Medicine Wheel Dancers, the dance team of Lenapehoking Lodge IX, comprised of Boy Scouts who are members of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. Nathaniel Jablonski and Thomas Gingerelli, Life Scouts from Unit 305 in Kearny have learned the traditional Native American style of "Fancy Dancing" and performed for their fellow Scouts and their families.

The Scouts held a successful bake sale with a Mardi Gras theme over the weekend, selling homemade and donated baked goods after all Masses. Proceeds help fund awards and camping trips throughout the Scout year.

St. Stephen's Church hosted their inaugural "Scout Sunday" Mass at noon. Boy and Cub Scouts led the procession with a Color Guard. After Mass, the Scouts visited the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of the Four Chaplains in memory and honor of the sacrifice and selfless service of Fr. Washington and the Four Chaplains. The Four Chaplains gave their life jackets to other men as the U.S.A.T. Dorchester sank in 1943. Kearny Boy Scouts further honor the Four Chaplains with the images of the religious leaders on their purple neckerchiefs.

The Very Reverend Joseph A. Mancini, K.C.H.S., V.F., participated in the Scout Sunday weekend activities in his role as Pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Kearny, sponsor of Unit 305.