The Pack and Troop are celebrating Scout Sunday on February 4, 2024 at the 10:00 AM mass. Please attend in full uniform to show your appreciation to the parish for providing our scout units with facilities to conduct our programs.
Scouts and parents are asked to arrive no later than 9:45AM and assemble in the Narthex at the rear of the church.
Here is the presentation given to the parish:
Thank you, Msgr/Father!
Good morning, everyone! For those of you who do not know me, I am John Zinn and a member of the Boy Scout Troop 103 Committee here at St. Joseph.
Today is designated as Scout Sunday and typically occurs in early February around the anniversary of when Scouting began in the US in 1910. Its purpose is for scouts to gather at a place of worship and thank God for His many blessings, and provide an opportunity for scouts to be recognized in the
presence of their congregation.
This would be a good time for all scouts, leaders, and parents who are associated with our scouting
programs to stand and be recognized. Thank you.
The scouting programs at St. Joseph have been going strong and proudly serving both our parish and the local community for well over 100 years. I am one who “grew up” in the scouting programs here during the 1960s and 70s. What I learned during that time period of my life ultimately helped developed the core values of such things as honor, respect, commitment, leadership, to be in service to others and, as scouts say, “Do A Good Turn Daily” even if that “Good Turn” is as simple as making someone smile.
With the help and guidance of my leaders in both the Cub Pack and later with Troop 103, I was also able to learn what it means to “Be Prepared”, to develop hands-on indoor and outdoor skills, experience a sense of accomplishment through earning awards, and building self-confidence and self-respect. Even to this day, scouting continues to provide those same life skills for all boys and girls who choose to become involved. All scouts pledge to abide by a timeless Oath and the Scout Law. An oath to “do one’s best” in a Duty to God, to Others, and to Self and by being Trustworthy, Helpful, Kind and Reverent to name a few.
It is important to note that participation in the Scouting experience does not have to be an exclusive activity. Many of our scouts over the years participated and excelled in other activities such as school and club sports programs, after-school and church-related activities, and the school band. In fact, 90 of those same scouts in Troop 103 have gone on to earn the highest honor in scouting by becoming an Eagle Scout.
The Cub Pack currently has 17 Cubs and serves boys and girls from Kindergarten through grade 5. Our Troop program has 11 scouts between the ages of 11 and 17. If you have children or grandchildren in that age group of 5 and 17, we welcome them to join our award-winning Cub Pack or Scout Troop. There are no prerequisites…. except a desire for fun and adventure and to learn a few things about life. Our leaders will be available in the Narthex after this mass eager to address any questions you have and provide more information about our scouting program and the activities that we offer.
A quick scouting announcement: Our troop’s largest fundraising project each year is the annual Easter Flower Sale. With Easter coming early this year, and flowers/planters likely not quite ready by the end of March, we have decided to move our flower fundraiser to Mother’s Day weekend. More information will be posted closer to the time.
On behalf of all scouts, leaders and parents, thank you for your ongoing spiritual and financial support as well as for providing a safe and comfortable place for scouts to gather and grow.
Thank you again, Msgr./Father, for this opportunity.
–John Zinn, Troop 103 Secretary and Communications Coordinator