Catholic Youth Ministry
CYM at 75

A Look Back

During the 1920s, there was great concern within the Catholic community in the United States about the problem of juvenile delinquency and the lack of structured recreational activity for young Catholics. In Chicago, Bishop Bernard Sheil was acutely aware that gangsters like Al Capone had become models for the poor and idle boys of the city.  In 1930, Bishop Sheil created the first Catholic Youth Organization which, at its inception, sought to keep Chicago youth busy by involving them in a city-wide boxing tournament. Bishop Sheil saw sports as a means to occupy youth in  a constructive activity which would teach Christian values.  The first CYO under Bishop Sheil became more than just a youth athletic league as programs were added to affect the spiritual, cultural, social, and athletic development of youth. Although the CYO experiences of each diocese varies, the first organization created by Bishop Sheil has affected the history of every diocesan CYO.

Rev. John J. Sheehy 1932-1939

The Catholic Youth Organization in Wilmington grew out of a youth athletic program started by Father John J. Sheehy at St. Mary's Parish on the East Side, and is widely considered the second of its kind in the United States. The St. Mary's Athletic Association founded in 1932 by Father Sheehy expanded that same year into the Catholic Athletic Council which sponsored diocesan wide athletic competitions.

The initial effort of the CAC was a basketball program.  Thomas L. Brand, who introduced St. Paul's into the league, became the first CAC president, with Harry C. McKinney serving as vice-president. Other members of the first Executive Committee were James A. Mayhart, William A. Welsh, and Harold J. Butler.

Bishop Sheil probably never realized how broadly his program would expand.