Timothy Neary, associate professor of history and coordinator of the American Studies program at Salve Regina University, will lead off a discussion of youth sports and values in the context of Catholic schools and urban communities.
Neary’s recently published book, Crossing Parish Boundaries: Race, Sports, and Catholic Youth in Chicago, 1914–1954, will provide the basis for his public lecture, presented by Notre Dame's Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism. He will focus on Bishop Bernard James Sheil as founder of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). The CYO brought together thousands of young men and women throughout Chicago's racially segregated neighborhoods for athletic activities. Sheil’s ministry as auxiliary bishop of Chicago between 1928 and 1966 is known for his impact on social justice and outreach to youth.
This event, co-sponsored by the Play Like a Champion Today educational initiative, will build on Neary's lecture (4:00 pm) with a panel discussion (5:15 pm) chaired by Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., of the Diocese of Youngstown. The panel of experts will explore the relevance of Bishop Sheil's initiatives to renewing the vision and mission of Catholic sports programs for diverse young people around the country today.
The discussion chaired by Bishop Murry will feature these panelists:
- Mary Ann King. Assistant Athletic Administrator, Youth & Young Adult Ministry for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland CYO
- Dobie Moser, PhD. Director, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland CYO
- Clark Power, PhD. Founder and Director of Play Like a Champion Today; Program of Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame, scholar in developmental psychology and moral education through sports
- Kristin Sheehan. Program Director, Play Like a Champion Today, and former varsity athlete with degrees in theology and psychology
Contact the Cushwa Center at 574-631-5441. For details on attending a Saturday morning workshop for CYO directors, youth ministry professionals, and community leaders working in youth sports, contact Kristin Sheehan.
Photo: Bishop Bernard Sheil and boxers promote the annual CYO tournament in 1950. (Archdiocese of Chicago's Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Archives and Records Center)