APEX, N.C. — Scouts and Scouters from across the Diocese of Raleigh gathered Nov. 7 at St. Andrew Church in Apex for the annual Catholic Scouting Mass of Thanksgiving.
Father Scott McCue, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Cary and diocesan scout chaplain, celebrated Mass with the community. Basing his homily on Matthew 25: 31-46, Father Scott spoke of how Scouting teaches many things, including lifesaving skills and how to contribute to the good of society.
“Jesus, in the Gospel, that tells us when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and care for those in need, we are doing these things for Jesus himself,” said Father Scott. “Have you thought about that? That when we act with kindness, mercy and love toward another, we do so to Christ?”
Scouts and Scouters were encouraged to seek to do good for another. And Father Scott concluded his homily by saying, “The greatest badge we can earn is not something we wear on our uniform. It is the love we show through our actions. Today we are reminded of the need to always do good, to be prepared for our life with God and to give thanks for all we have and all we are.”
Scouts who had earned religious emblems in the past year were recognized at the Mass and those gathered enjoyed lunch prepared by the Monsignor Michael A. Carey Council #6650 of the Knights of Columbus.
The annual Catholic Scouting Mass of Thanksgiving is sponsored by the Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Committee on Scouting. The next event is the 2027 Catholic Scout Camporee, which will be held March 12-14 at Camp Bowers in White Oak. Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama will be the celebrant for the Mass at the camporee.
For more information on Catholic Scouting visit: scouting.dioceseofraleigh.org.
