Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly – 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.”

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.

I am delighted to welcome the inauguration of the Pope John Paul II Award to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The Award is dedicated to the memory of the late Pope John Paul II, and highlights the great confidence he had in young people. He continually called on them to play a fuller role in their communities and their Churches. This Award is an excellent opportunity for young people to engage in a real and concrete way with their Church and community.

As I meet young people I am very impressed with their energy, good humour and spirit of service that they show while engaged in different activities. As young people engage together in this Award, I hope friendships will develop and grow among those interested in service to Church and community.

The Pope John Paul II Award is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to live their faith and to actively engage with community and Church, while at the same time experience the joy and fulfilment that comes with offering service to others, especially to those in need.

I invite and encourage young people of the Archdiocese to engage in the Award and take the opportunity to live their baptism in a real and concrete manner. You are not only the Church of tomorrow but also of today.

Every blessing on all those involved.
Rath Dé oraibh.

+ Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, SMA
Archbishop of Cashel & Emly

The Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly was kindly assisted by the Knights of St Columbanus with funding to start the Pope John Paul II Award.

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 Cashel & Emly 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.

Papal Cross: 7.5 hours
Gold: 6 hours
Silver: 4.5 hours
Bronze: 3 hours

Top-Ups can be achieved in a number of ways, for example:

Pilgrimage
Many parishes organise pilgrimages, either specifically for young people, or for the wider parish community, but open to young people. Participation in this type of activity can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Diocesan Youth Activities
Participation in World Youth Day, full attendance at Roscrea Youth 2000 Retreat or other such youth faith events. Participation in these activities can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Training for Ministry
During the year, the Archdiocese will extend an invitation for young people to participate in training/leadership programmes. These training events can also be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting 4 days or more to work on specific projects, such as orphanages in Romania or home building in Africa or other areas can also be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

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

Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly

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.”

Message from the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly

The Award in the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly

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

Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

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 Award Office