Diocese of Down and Connor – Faith Achievement 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.

Dear young people, parents, parishioners and all members of our Diocesan family,

Our young people are the future of the Church and of society. They have been blessed with gifts of the Holy Spirit and the graces of God to enrich the lives of the people they meet and the faith communities to which they belong. It is with great joy and hope, therefore, that I invite them to play an active role in the service of their parishes and as People of God through their participation in the Pope John Paul II Award.

The Award is a celebration of the faith, commitment and gifts of our young people. This award recognises not only the generous contributions they make to their parishes and communities but also honours their active and vibrant presence at the very heart of the Church’s mission of renewal and evangelisation.

As a Diocese, we are committed to a plan of mission and renewal that places faith formation, youth engagement and leadership development at its core. This Award plays an important role in that vision, helping to form young people who are grounded in faith, open to the Holy Spirit and ready to respond to the call of the Gospel in today’s world.

Our young people are not just the future of the Church - they are its present. Through their service, leadership and witness, they breathe new life into our parishes, schools, youth centres and local organisations. The Award supports and encourages them on their journey of faith, helping them to deepen their relationship with Christ and to live the Gospel in action - serving others, growing in discipleship and discovering the unique call God has placed on their lives.

The Pope John Paul II Award also helps to build important bridges between the young person and their family, school, parish and community. It provides a dynamic framework to encourage and inspire young people to see themselves as vital members of a wider family of faith, called to mission by virtue of their baptism.

In the spirit of Saint Pope John Paul II, who had a profound trust in the potential and holiness of youth, we affirm their capacity to lead with courage, to serve with love and to live the Gospel with authenticity and joy. We give thanks for the energy, enthusiasm and faith of our young people. May this Award continue to inspire, uplift and challenge a new generation to answer God’s call with confidence and hope. May each young person come to know that their faith, lived fully and courageously, is a light for the world and a great gift to the Church.

+ Alan Mc Guckian SJ
Bishop of Down and Connor
September 2025

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

Diocese of Down & Connor Award Top-Up Suggestions

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

Pilgrimage
Each year, many people from the Diocese of Down and Connor travel to Lourdes at Easter and during the summer, to care for people with disabilities. These people need special care while in Lourdes and 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 groups can be part of this Award.

Young people also take part in pilgrimages to places such as Taizé, Clonmacnoise and Santiago de Compostela. These pilgrimages can also be considered as Award Top-Ups.

Home & Overseas Service Projects
Young people may engage in service projects lasting four days or more at home or abroad, such as summer schemes - SERVE, Habitat for Humanity or working in orphanages in Romania. These service projects may be considered as Award Top-Ups.

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

Diocese of Down & Connor

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 Bishop of Down & Connor

The Award in the Diocese of Down & Connor

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

Diocese of Down & Connor 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