Catholic Youth Ministry
CYM at 75

The Eighties

The Adopt-A-Family program began to provide packages of food and gifts for needy families during Christmas. In 1982, the Substance Abuse Prevention Program was created with the encouragement of the board of directors.

Rev. John L. Taggart 1973-1982

In the same year, Father John Hopkins succeeded Father Taggart as diocesan director.  The focus of administrative efforts became the collaboration and cooperation of Youth Ministry and CYO.  The combination of the two made for a stronger organization and a more effective integration of the traditional components of the YM/CYO program.

John Carney was appointed associate director of CYO in 1984.  The change from executive director to associate director was made to reflect the process of unifying youth services in the diocese. This could be seen in the development of NEXUS, the diocesan high school youth conference, as well as regional gatherings.  Retreat programming, leadership training, and adult education became an integral part of the Office of Youth Ministry/CYO programming.

Volleyball and soccer were added as official YM/CYO sports in the mid 1980s. Community service projects were expanded to include Manna, an annual food drive, and an inner city housing rehabilitation project with the now disbanded Wilmington United Neighborhoods.  Adopt-A-Family expanded its outreach and coordinated its efforts with the State of Delaware and Catholic Charities.

In 1989 the YM/CYO staff included Joe Pennell, associate director, Joe McNesby, athletics program coordinator, Michael Sweeney, coordinator of youth development, and Mark Kay Pascal, substance abuse prevention coordinator. Lois Nowell was the support staff for the office.