Temperatures sweltered near 100 degrees on June 21 at the North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, L.I. But the intense heat was overshadowed by the generous giving spirit of the many youth sports supporters in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn/Queens CYO hosted its third annual Golf Classic at the North Hills links. This year, 128 golfers – the largest ever for the outing – supported the cause of benefitting the athletic and spiritual needs of the youth of the diocese.

“More and more people are getting to see each year who we really are,” said Deacon Joe Catanello, director of CYO. “Events like this are very important in us spreading our mission.”

More than 30,000 children in the 200-plus Brooklyn/Queens parishes participate in CYO sports. The proceeds of the golf outing go directly to the sports programs, as well as other youth ministry programs within the diocese. For many, CYO sports have become a family affair.

“I played CYO back in the ‘50s, and all my six children played CYO ball, and now my grandchildren are playing CYO ball,” said Marty McManus, comptroller of the Diocese of Brooklyn. “It teaches not only athletics but also teamwork and how to get along with people.”

The CYO program is a great way to keep young people connected to the church. Sports is a universal language for kids, as Deacon Catanello said, so the young athletes are already drawn to the idea of playing sports in the name of their parish.

“We need to reach out to the youth because they are the future of the church,” said Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, Vicar for Development. “The golf outing helps with the youth evangelization in our diocese.”

A few special guests enjoyed a relaxing day of golf and greeted attendees in support of the mission. New York Mets 1969 World Series champion shortstop Bud Harrelson and New York Giants Super Bowl XXI champion offensive lineman Billy Ard were on hand for the festivities.

“The charity here is great for sports in the Brooklyn area,” said Harrelson, who is already looking forward to an invite to next year’s outing.

“All you people here are the real heroes,” Ard said in his address to the crowd. Ard is a parishioner at St. Mary’s of Stony Hill parish, Watchung, N.J.

Msgr. Gigantiello spoke about how CYO is currently experiencing a revival. He commended Deacon Catanello for bringing back many of the parishes that had once left the organization. Msgr. Gigantiello said he was very delighted with how the day turned out.

“When you get people who are willing to help out and you put them altogether and you have a cause that really reaches out to all…when we do that, it’s a win-win situation,” he said.

The honoree of this year’s golf outing was Edward M. Curran, CEO of E&J Securities Corp. Curran comes from Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Williamsburg, and was chosen based on his active involvement in the church and his charitable works over the years.

“It’s a phenomenal honor considering last year’s honoree was Mike Piazza,” Curran said. “I think Mike did a little better in sports than I did, but it’s an outstanding honor to be involved in your Catholic faith and to believe in something that’s so real and so helpful to so many people.”

Curran played CYO basketball, baseball, football and hockey in the 1970s. He said he believes CYO is a nurturing program that fosters Catholic values and keeps kids safe.

“My life has been blessed with my association with Ed Curran,” said Msgr. David Cassato, pastor, St. Athanasius parish, Bensonhurst, who has been friends with Curran for 30 years.

In addition to Curran, CYO honored nine Parish Athletic Representatives who have volunteered in their parishes for at least 20 years: Mike Locasio, St. Stanislaus Kostka, Maspeth, 20 years; Steve Leoutsakos, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria, 20 years; Mike McGovern, Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, 20 years; Joseph Peluso, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Williamsburg, 25 years; Pat Ianotto, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Williamsburg, 25 years; Bill Fairechio, St. Thomas the Apostle, Woodhaven, 25 years; Dennis Carroll, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Bayside, 25 years; Stan Swiatocha, Our Lady of Mercy, Forest Hills, 30 years; and Joe Harnishfeger, Corpus Christi, Woodside, 35 years.

“Generous volunteers provide programs for the young people that teach them sports, teach them team spirit and teach them good Christian values,” said Diocese of Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop-elect Paul Sanchez, who is preparing for his ordination as a bishop July 11 at Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge. “This program benefits so many people; they do great work.”

Through events like the Golf Classic, CYO has succeeded in spreading the awareness of its mission of using the realm of sports to teach Catholic values. While many young athletes may never achieve the athletic success of a Bud Harrelson or Billy Ard, the lessons they learn in CYO are applicable to all areas of life.

View the report on Currents.

Champs from Bayside

Sacred Heart, Bayside, captured the CYO fourth grade baseball diocesan title with a 2-0 win over St. Margaret’s, Middle Village.  Sacred Heart relied on the stellar pitching of starter Aidan Ciarniello and closer Nicholas Perez.    In team photo from left, back row, Blaze Conlan, Nicholas Perez, Aidan Ciarniello, Matthew Dullahan, Coach Billy Sakatis, Declan Feeny, Christopher Bayer and Nicholas Kammera; front row, Jackson Lerner, Luke Sharkey, Nicholas Sakatis, Nicholas Pafitis, Michael Devine and Liam Smith.