June 2003

CYC Parish Sports Leadership,

The purpose of this correspondence is to update you regarding the CYC youth coaches training program, “Coaching to Make a Positive Difference”. Hopefully it will clarify where this program came from as well as its goals and expectations. It will also address some of the misconceptions and assumptions that have surfaced in recent weeks.

This training program is a part of the CYC’s four step response to the Archdiocesan Strategic Plan as promulgated by Archbishop Justin Rigali. One of the important goals of the plan called on all of us involved in this service to young people to “Proclaim Jesus Christ in word and action”. The CYC was directed by this plan to develop programs and tools that would assist our CYC youth coaches in attaining that goal.

Step One: The development of the CYC Youth Sports Handbook, distributed since January 2002 to over 7000 coaches, parents, clergy, leadership and administrators in our program.

Step Two: In April 2002 we implemented the prayer before all CYC youth games with members of both teams and the game officials gathering to ask His blessing on the event and offering the efforts of all participants to His honor.

Step Three: The CYC Youth Coaches Training program was started. These sessions are uniquely designed for our CYC volunteer coaches and leadership to assist them as they carry out their service to the youth of the Archdiocese. Attached you will find a fact sheet answering some basic questions regarding the program along with a biographical sketch of the primary presenter Bill Bommarito. Also included is a listing of what a coach can expect to take home from the session and the objectives of the training.

Step Four: Scheduled for fall of 2004, is a parish “roundtable” program. This will be a no-cost optional program template designed to bring together all the elements of the parish CYC sports program (coaches, parents, clergy and administrators). The program will allow the attendee’s to interact through discussion and reflection to bring about an increased awareness of the CYC parish sports program’s goals, purposes and expectations. It will assist in assuring that youth sports is an important part of the parish family.

St. Louis Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Vicar-General of the Catholic Youth Council, has called on the parish programs to participate by investing this time for the young people we serve. All of us at the CYC appreciate your contributions in “keeping the children in the shadow of our church”. As president/chairperson of your parish CYC sports program, we ask that you make this information available to all of your coaches/managers and adult leadership as soon as possible. If you are no longer in this position please pass along this information to the new parish leadership.

With all best wishes and with continued gratitude for your service to children, I am

Sincerely,

Michael P. Kalist

Executive Director