Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Inc

The Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Inc is a nonprofit organization with a mission to deepen relationships with Jesus Christ and one another, while fostering the faith formation and personal development of youth. It operates under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization for religious, educational, and charitable purposes[4].

History

The Catholic Youth Organization was established in 1939 by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter. The first official activity was a citywide spring dance attended by approximately 1,000 youth from every parish in the city. Initially, the organization focused on baseball and tennis leagues, with early initiatives also including drama contests and various cultural activities[3].

Purpose and Activities

The organization's purpose is to provide a comprehensive youth ministry that includes athletic, camping, and enrichment activities. It aims to foster the total personal and spiritual development of young people, emphasizing Christian values such as fair play, sportsmanship, honesty, respect, loyalty, patience, tolerance, gratitude, and humility[1][5]. The CYO offers competitions in 14 different sports for boys and girls in grades three through high school. Additionally, it conducts a summer residential camping program and year-round outdoor education classes at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County. Other activities include science fairs, music contests, and chess competitions[3].

Governance

The ultimate responsibility for the success of the CYO rests with parish administrators and coaches. These individuals must model Catholic values and virtues, ensuring that the program contributes to the Christian growth of young people[1].

Impact

The CYO plays a vital role in the total youth ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, enabling youth to become responsible members of their faith community by participating in sports and other activities that promote Christian living and community involvement[1][5].

[1] https://cyoarchindy.org/index.php/about-cyo-sports/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Youth_Organization [3] https://cyo.orgsonline.com/contactus_history.aspx [4] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/350867983 [5] https://cyoarchindy.org