CYO in the Archdiocese

The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) supports parishes in fostering faith, community, and sportsmanship among young people. The CYO team includes:

• John McGoldrick – Executive Director
• D.J. Mason – Director of Operations
• Maureen Goetz – CYO Consultant

CYO staff assist with scheduling, behavior management, and equipment distribution.

Key Contact: The Director of Sports Ministry (DSM)

Each parish has a DSM who coordinates team registrations, communicates schedules with CYO, and manages facility allocations. Find your parishes DSM here.

CYO at a Glance (Last Year’s Data)

• 4,962 Participants Last Year
• 23 Different Parishes
• 6 Different Sports

Strengthening the Partnership Between Youth Ministry and CYO

From the DSM Handbook:

“We emphasize collaboration with the Director of Religious Education (DRE) and the Director of Youth Ministry (DYM). Since CYO shares the mission of leading youth to Christ, it’s essential that CYO, religious education, and youth ministry work together—not in competition. Here’s how:

• Align schedules to avoid conflicts (e.g., CYO practices and religious education classes).

• Cross-promote CYO and youth ministry events.

• Share parish family databases to ensure all are invited to participate.

• Encourage youth to engage in multiple parish activities for holistic faith formation.”

Practical Tips for Youth Ministers

1. Plan Ahead – Schedule retreats and major events early and add them to the parish calendar.
2. Communicate Clearly – Share your event calendar (including affected grade levels) with your DSM. (Example: Avoid requesting a blanket cancellation of CYO activities for a middle school event.)
3. Engage Coaches as Youth Ministers – Offer to speak at coaches’ meetings, reminding them that their role extends beyond sports.
4. Leverage CYO Outreach – Partner with your DSM to promote youth ministry events through CYO’s communication channels.

Final Thoughts

Youth leaders should actively and intentionally collaborate with CYO. If we truly believe every adult is a youth minister, then fostering strong partnerships between youth ministry and CYO is essential for nurturing the faith of young people.