On Tuesday 24, January 2023 the diocese of Clonfert held their Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony in The Meadow Court Hotel, Loughrea, Co Galway.
Thirty students between the ages of 16 – 18 years received a JP II Award for their outstanding voluntary work in their respective parishes.
Front Row ; Sinead Donohue , Petra Killeen, Izzy Tuohy, Aoife Murray, Shauna Leonard, Ellen Blake. Pic Gerry Stronge
The thirty students represented five schools in the diocese. These schools were Portumna Community School, Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe, St. Raphaels’s College, Loughrea, St Joseph’s College, Garbally and Mercy College Woodford.
Fifteen parishes in total were represented in the Clonfert Diocese. As part of the initiative each student took on the challenge to assist in various activities in their local parish church on a weekly basis e.g. singing and playing music at Sunday Mass, reading at Mass, cleaning the church, operating the webcam, praying the Rosary, running the parish Facebook page, volunteering on Lourdes Pilgrimage, creating sacred space at schools…..and much more
A similar challenge was offered to them in their social community settings where they volunteered to help in such activities as under-age coaching in camogie, working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul, barber day in school for Simon, created handmade sensory book for children with special needs, ….and much more.
Two students from Portumna, Community School, received the highest accolade in the JP II Award initiative… Fiona Lohan and John Mitchell… each were presented with the Papal Cross Award.
In her project work to obtain this award, Fiona worked with First Class children in Derryoober NS in the Primary School Religious Education Programme, Grow in Love series helping the children to learn about the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. For John’s Project work he created a small woodland garden with hand made bird-feeder at Tynagh Church.
Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert & Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh, presented each student with their Award. In his address to the young people he warmly congratulated them on their achievement and paid tribute to their families, schools and parishes who have nurtured their faith and brought them through their JP II journey. He strongly encouraged the students to have courage and walk their own path in faith and with God by there side they will never be alone. He concluded, even when the days are darkest, their faith will help see them through.
The Guest Speaker on the night was Paul Keogh, Principal of Summerhill College, Sligo, a boys college which has over a thousand pupils attending. Paul has developed the first lay-led college chaplaincy service and was pivotal in the development of Pastoral Care College Services. He has also been at the forefront of developing and leading various youth ministry initiatives at both National & International level. Paul gave a passionate and heartfelt speech to the young people present. He pleaded with them to reach their full potential, live life to the full, be courageous and explore their faith at every opportunity, by attending retreats, going on pilgrimages etc. He concluded by playing guitar and singing a beautiful song which he wrote himself about the tragic loss of a loved one.
The Pope John Paul II Award since it’s initiation in 2006 has been generously supported by the Knights of St. Columbanus. Several Knights from the local lodge attended. The Supreme Knight, Brendan McCann also attended and delivered encouraging words to the young students.
Caroline Jackson, Award Leader from Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe delivered a profound and meaningful few words. She stressed the importance of service and humility in what ever ministry we are involved with. Aisling Curley, a student from Ard Scoil Mhuire spoke courageously on behalf of all students participating in the JP II Award.
Finally, Fr. John Garvey, spoke on the role of the Parish Priest in encouraging and working with students undertaking the Award.
Each speaker gave special credit to parents / guardians, Award Leaders and Parish Priests, all who played an encouraging and supportive role in helping the students to achieve their individual award. Music added a pleasant touch to the evening and this was provided by the Youth Choir from Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe each of whom received a John Paul II Award themselves.
Photographs from the Award ceremony
Group photographs from the night are published below.
