On Monday 4, February, 2019 the diocese of Derry held their 12th Annual Pope John Paul II Award ... read more
Making young people visible in their church, community & society
Diocese of Derry
Find out moreApplication & other materialsThe 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 Bishop of Derry
I concur fully with the late Holy Father’s sentiments expressed so beautifully in Galway in 1979, “I believe in youth”. The youth of today will be the leaders in the church and in society in the future.
The components of ‘The Pope John Paul II Award’ comprises parish engagement - liturgical and pastoral, social awareness and an eventual written presentation of their endeavours.
I invite you, the young people of the diocese, to participate in this initiative. I thank in advance all the leaders and others who will assist and facilitate you.

Bishop of Derry
The Award in the Diocese of Derry
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 AwardSilver AwardBronze AwardPapal Cross Award
The Award enrolment fee in the Diocese of Derry is £10 per participant.
Diocese of Derry Award Top-Up Suggestions
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.
Each year about 600 people from the Derry Diocese travel to Lourdes between the 16th-21st July. About 80 of the people who travel are registered as sick. These people need special care while in Lourdes. Volunteers are always needed to give them that care. It may be pushing their wheelchair or just accompanying them. Working in Lourdes with the diocesan pilgrimage can be part of this Award.
Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting 4 days or more to work on specific projects, such as orphanages in Romania or home building in Africa.
Children in Crossfire
Organise a Children in Crossfire week in your school or parish. This can be organised by an individual or a group (no more than 5).
There are 3 elements required:
- At least one fundraising event during the week
- Organise a talk or display focusing on an issue in the developing world
- Cross Community - organise a talk or display focusing on some aspect of 'another' community within our society, e.g. another faith community, minority community or ethnic community.
Other Suggestions
Active membership of Youth Initiatives such as Search, COR, Youth 2000 and the IOSAS's youth community over the year. Joining 'REJOICE' the diocesan youth choir for the year.
Downloads
Award Handbook
The Award handbook explains in detail how the Award is run and who is responsible for running the Award in your diocese.
Award Resources
The following forms are required to be completed by each Award participant. Your Award leader will be able to assist you with any questions you have.
Participants Application Form
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News

Diocese of Derry, 11th Annual Award ceremony – 2018
Published
On Monday 5, February, 2018 the diocese of Derry held their 11th Annual Pope John Paul II Award ... read more