Archdiocese of Armagh

The Pope John Paul II Award encourages you to go beyond your comfort zone on a journey of self-discovery. It challenges you to give of your time, your talents, your intellect, and your social skills for the well-being of others and for the Glory of God.”

The Pope John Paul II Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church - in the life of their community and society. It also enables young people become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world and to engage at a deep level with Christ.

The Award is committed to helping young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development through participation in school, parish and community activities.

"Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

These words of encouragement were written by St Paul to Timothy as he led the church in Ephesus. They are included in the front of the Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission (ADYC) Strategic Plan 2007-2010 and seem fitting for the introduction of the Pope John Paul II Awards to the Archdiocese of Armagh.

Life as a Catholic today presents many challenges for young people within their peer groups and their Church community. Building friendships with peers like-minded in their faith and playing an active part in parish and community serves to strengthen the young people of our Church. The Pope John Paul II Award is an excellent way to offer the structure and support for young people to do this.

Preparing a place for young people in our parish communities is never easy. There have been many consultations throughout the diocese for the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the ADYC Strategic Plan and more recently as we form our new Pastoral Areas. It is clear through these consultations that parishes have a strong desire to involve our young people in the life of the church. This takes commitment and in some cases courage to change our way of doing things.

I welcome Pope John Paul II Awards to the Archdiocese of Armagh and look forward to meeting the young people who inspired by Pope John Paul II, answer the call of their baptism to be a part of the Church of today and tomorrow.

+ Cardinal Seán Brady
Archbishop of Armagh

There are 4 Awards - Gold, Silver, Bronze & Papal Cross

Each Award is completed over a 16 month period beginning at the start of the academic year.
Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14, 20 or 26 weeks.

Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.

Gold Award Silver Award Bronze Award Papal Cross Award

Archdiocese of Armagh Award Top-Up Suggestions

Award Top-Ups are given in recognition of the extra activities that Award participants are already involved in.

Top-Ups will go towards the total number of hours an individual has to complete.

Top-Ups can be achieved in a number of ways, for example - helping with the sick pilgrims at Lourdes or working on behalf of Children in Crossfire. These activities will gain participants Award Top-Ups:
Papal Cross: 7.5 hours
Gold: 6 hours
Silver: 4.5 hours
Bronze: 3 hours

There may be other activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee for approval.

Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is described as a journey to a holy place or shrine. Many people from the Archdiocese of Armagh take part in pilgrimages every year. For some this is an opportunity to care for others through involvement in the ADYC pilgrimage to Lourdes in the summer, or the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in May. Others attend pilgrimage as an opportunity for prayer and reflection to places such as Taize or Santiago De Compostella. There are also local pilgrimages to sites such as Knock, Lough Derg and St Brigid’s Shrine, Faughart. Taking part in a pilgrimage can be part of this Award through the Award Top-Ups.

Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission (ADYC) Activities
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Office organise youth activities throughout the year with opportunities for young people to become involved in the planning and delivery. Further information on the activities can be found by going to our Youth Ministry page - ADYC (Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission). Each of these activities will be assigned Top-Up hours.

Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting four days or more to work on specific projects, such as orphanages in Romania or home building in Africa.

There may be other activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee for approval.

Making young people visible in their church, community & society

The Pope John Paul II Award

The Pope John Paul II Award encourages you to go beyond your comfort zone on a journey of self-discovery. It challenges you to give of your time, your talents, your intellect, and your social skills for the well-being of others and for the Glory of God.”

A message from the Cardinal, Archbishop of Armagh

The Award in the Archdiocese of Armagh

There are 4 Awards - Gold, Silver, Bronze & Papal Cross

Archdiocese of Armagh Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

News

Archdiocese of Armagh 8th Annual Award Ceremony 2018

The Award runs in Ireland and the UK, find your diocese below.

If you are an Award participant, you can find all materials required to complete your Award on your Diocese Award page

The Award

About Us

Contact Armagh Award Office