"Sport, because of the wholesome elements it gives value to and exalts, may become more and more a vital instrument for the moral and spiritual elevation of the human person and therefore contribute to the construction of an orderly, peaceful and hardworking society.
"The Church approves and encourages sports seeing in it a form of gymnastics of the body and of the spirit, a training for social relations based on respect for others and for one's own person and an element of social cohesion which also fosters friendly relations…" …Pope John Paul II
Church of the Good Shepherd parish sponsors a Catholic Youth Organization as one dimension of its total ministry to youth. Athletic programs can help young people toward imperishable crowns as well as perishable ones. A parish CYO program justifies its existence and the sacrifices and expense it entails only if it allows young people to practice Christian attitudes and responsibilities.
In CYO programs, emphasis rests not on the number of games won or lost, but on the participants attitude in victory or defeat. Learning how to lose is just as important as learning how to win and learning how to win graciously is more important than winning itself. CYO programs serve the needs of all youth. They enable the gifted to excel, the less gifted to participate and improve. "Star" athletes and teams do not receive exclusive attention. Principles of fair play and sportsmanship must govern every game. Dishonesty has no place in CYO competition. CYO competitors must not borrow from professional sports questionable techniques for winning at any cost.
All participants should have the respect of others on their own team and the opposing team. Competitors should regard the opposition as friends not enemies. CYO participants should have a spirit of loyalty to CYO ideals, to parish, to coach and to the team. They should learn patience with and tolerance of those with less ability. They should feel grateful to all who make the CYO program happen. Speech and actions should reflect Christian values.
