Photos

Remembering Bishop Sheil and the Catholic Youth Organization

In 1930, Auxiliary Bishop Bernard Sheil founded the Catholic Youth Organization to give at-risk youth a positive outlet. It was a revolutionary endeavor by a remarkable man.
Bishop Sheil poses with boxers before a sign promoting the 19th annual CYO boxing tournament in 1949. Boxing was the first sport Sheil started in the CYO. Chicago Catholic archives
A CYO track and field meet in an undated file photo. Chicago Catholic archives
A young CYO division boys basketball team.
Girls 1949 CYO basketball champions. Chicago Catholic archives
28,000 spectators at CYO-Hawaii final bouts at Chicago Stadium in 1940.
Senior division team poses in an undated file photo.
Bishop Sheil poses with children and a large cake celebrating the 21st anniversary of CYO’s founding on May 25, 1951. Chicago Catholic archives
Johnny Ross, 12, and his dog Major von Salle receive congratulations from Auxiliary Bishop Bernard J. Sheil of Chicago, President of Master Eye Foundation. Johnny, blind since he was 5, holds a certificate of achievement presented by Bishop Sheil. The award recognizes Johhny as the youngest graduate of Master Eye Foundation and youngest American to become master of a guide dog. (Religious News Service photo/1955)
An ad in a anniversary program book for Bishop Sheil asks for donations to the guide dog program.

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