Boy Scouts get special award

The Boys Scout Troop 139 from St. Helen’s in Howard Beach were awarded the Parvuli Dei Award (Children of God) Emblem. It is given in special recognition by the Catholic Church to a Webelo Scout for advancement in religious knowledge and spiritual growth. The purpose of the emblem is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish and also to develop a good positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community. It was presented at the Annual Scouting Religious Recognition Ceremony on Sunday, April 29 at St. Athanasius Church in Brooklyn. Pictured are (front row) Anthony Mercatante, Roberto Williams, Matthew Caiazza; (middle row) James Leonard, Bishop Thomas V. Daily, Thomas Mercatante; (back row) Thomas Caiazza, Andrew Mercatante, and Assistant Cub Master Tom Mercatante.