Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
The CYO Musical is a tradition that has just finished its 46th year.
This tradition was started by Bishop Paul Bradley in October of 1973. It originated as 'Family Day' as a time for family members to come together for fun, worship, and the chance to get to know each other together. There was a 5:00 pm Folk Mass, a buffet dinner in the cafeteria, and a concert of modern folk music in the gym by about 20 members of the youth group. The project was so well received that there was no question about it returning the next year.
The original idea was good, but the CYO wanted to do more. At this time, the teens were being reminded of the critical food shortage in many parts of the world and the millions of people who were starving. The CYO's conscience was aroused, and their hearts were moved to reach out to those unknown brother's and sister's throughout the world.
Therefore, the second annual Family Day evolved into serveral performances of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. This time, however, instead of wishing to provide just fun and fellowship to the public, World Hunger was adopted as the cause which the audience was asked to suppor through donations.
Fast-forward 45 years, and the CYO has now fundraised more than $200,000 to donate to the Diocesan Chimbote Fund as well as the Project HOPE Mission Trip in David, Kentucky. This is a tradition that changes the lives of those less-fortunate brother's and sister's in the world, and forever changes the lives of the teens and adults involved in the production.
This year alone, the cast raised nearly $26,000 to donate. We could not be more proud of all those involved over the years, the relationships the have been built, and the service that is seen all for the Lord.