Catholic Youth Ministry
CYM at 75

The Fifties

During the tenure of Tuck Mulrooney, the Wilmington CYO accomplished its goals of becoming a fourfold spiritual, athletic, social, and cultural program, the traditional hallmarks of CYO.  Its members participated in the planning of National Youth Conventions which became an important component of the teenage program.  Under Tuck's leadership 25,000 people attended a Marian Rally at Wilmington Park in 1954. Improving on this success, he was able to increase attendance to 30,000 people the following year, this time held at Delaware Park.

Rev. Francis J. Desmond 1939-1959

While serving as program director, Tuck worked with Clarence Grace, William D. Kelleher, and Henry A. Gerstenberg as CYO presidents, and Msgr. Francis J. Desmond, who had succeeded Father Sheehy in the post of diocesan director in 1939.

William L. Kapa succeeded Tuck Mulrooney as program director in 1957. In 1959, Father Alex Gorski was appointed diocesan director.