Diocese of Elphin

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 sincerely welcome the Pope John Paul II Award initiative to the Diocese of Elphin. This initiative invites young people to participate in the life of their Church and of their community and indeed to live out their faith each day. It also gives young people the opportunity to bear witness to their faith in the parish community.

The Pope John Paul II Award engages young people in the social, pastoral and liturgical life of the parish and invites them eventually to provide a written account of their activities.

Our Catholic Church in Ireland today faces ongoing challenges from forces with huge resources. Our prayer life and our participation in the life of the Church will bring us the power of the Holy Spirit - the greatest resource of all. With the power of the Holy Spirit we can confront any challenge and cope with any cross.

I thank God that our young people are so willing to participate in the life of our diocese. I acknowledge especially their much appreciated and admired participation in our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. I invite our young people to participate in this inspired initiative of the Pope John Paul II Award.

I also wish to put on record the gratitude of Elphin Diocese and indeed of the Irish Church to the Knights of St Columbanus for this inspired initiative. The Knights are covering all the associated costs.

+ Christopher Jones
Bishop of Elphin

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
Each year many people from the Dublin Archdiocese travel to Lourdes in September with sick people from the dioceses. 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.

Diocesan Youth Activities
On a number of occasions during the year, the Office of Youth Ministry will organise youth activities such as participation in the diocesan pilgrimage to Knock, Knock Youth Summer Festival, other regional and national Catholic Youth Events, Youth Retreat Days or other pilgrimage activities. Participation in these activities can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Humanitarian Trips
Many third level students undertake humanitarian trips to Third World countries during their summer break. These trips can also provide an opportunity for Top-Ups for the Pope John Paul II Award.

World Youth Day
World Youth Day is an international festival of Catholic faith organised every three years. Young people who travel to this wonderful event and participate in the preparation programme will be eligible for an Award Top-Up.

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 at Elphin Youth Ministry, St. Mary’s, Temple Street, Sligo.

Making young people visible in their church, community & society

Diocese of Elphin

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 Bishop of Elphin

The Award in the Diocese of Elphin

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

Diocese of Elphin Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

News & Activities

Diocese of Elphin, Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2018

Diocese of Elphin, Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2017

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 Elphin Award Office