NEW CANAAN— Scouts from throughout the diocese were honored for their achievements at the 2022 Catholic Scouting Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 3, at St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan.
Father Robert Kinnally, scouting chaplain, blessed the medals and Stephen Prostor, chair of the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, conducted the award ceremony.
Scouts throughout the diocese are eligible to earn Catholic Religious Emblem Awards. In order to earn an emblem award, scouts must work with their family or council through a workbook. This workbook is targeted for their age group and often parallels what scouts are learning in their faith formation or religious education classes.
Angelisa Toro of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish earned the Family of God award through Girl Scouts of America. This National program’s purpose is to help the child explore a wide range of activities & discover the presence of God in her life as a member of their family and parish. Parents and adults serve as advisors to the child and help her grow in religious awareness by talking about the experiences that make up the program.
Three young ladies from St. Matthew Parish in Norwalk earned Mary, The First Disciple Award. The purpose of this national award program is to provide the recipient with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into herself, friends, family, and the world around her. Two young ladies from St. Matthew’s also earned The Spirit Alive award, the program for which assists Catholic high school-aged girls in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the Church’s ministry.
Audrey Aulet from St. Jude Parish in Monroe, Luigi Carratelli from St. Catherine of Siena in Riverside and Julia Sims from St. Joseph in Shelton earned the Light of Christ award, which is given to scouts who, with their parents’ participation, strive to develop a personal friendship with Jesus.
Five scouts received the Parvuli Dei award, for those who have completed second grade and strive to discover the presence of God in their daily lives by meeting requirements determined by their parish priest, counselor and family.
Six scouts received the Ad Altare Dei award, the purpose of which is to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person by encouraging him to actively live out his Catholic Christian faith. 
Four individuals received the Pope Pius XII medal, designed to help Catholic Scouts understand God’s call in their lives.
Three scouts earned the Pillars of Faith award, which is given to a Boy or Girl Scout who has earned all four Catholic Scouting emblems, demonstrating tremendous commitment to the Catholic faith.
Several adults were recognized for their achievements.
Father Peter Cipriani of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Fairfield, Father Gregg Mecca of St. Peter’s in Danbury and Joseph Sindelar of St. Aloysius Parish received the Bronze Pelican award, a diocesan recognition for adults who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the Boy Scouts of America.
The St. George award, a diocesan recognition given to adults who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of youth in the Boy Scouts, was given to David Nobile of Fairfield.
Cub Scout Pack 45 and Scouts BSA Troop 45 from St. Aloysius were awarded the 2021 Pope Paul VI National Catholic Unit Excellence Award. The Diocese of Bridgeport itself was also recognized with the 2021 Quality Diocesan Committee Award.
The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, Diocese of Bridgeport (DCCS) wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to all who contributed to this joyous celebration:
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano,
Religious Emblems Counselors, Scout Leaders;
Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Connecticut Yankee Council,
Boy Scouts of America for encouraging youth to participate in Catholic Scouting;
Pastors and Priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport for their support of the Youth Ministry
through the Scouting Religious Award Programs;
All chartered organizations that promote religious emblem awards;
Father Robert Kinnally and St. Aloysius Parish.
Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS)
Chaplain: Father Robert Kinnally, Pastor,
St. Aloysius Church; chancellor, Diocese of Bridgeport
Chair: Stephen Prostor, New Canaan
Members: Hank Karl, Bethel; David Nobile, Fairfield;
Mike Szarpa, Norwalk; Hugh Welch, Easton
