Diocese of Ferns

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.

Reflecting on the late Pope St. John Paul II and on his life, one can not help but remember and be amazed by his profound love for and belief in young people. He recognised that they are indeed very much part of today’s Church, a Church that needs their great generosity of spirit and their idealism.

As such, here in Ferns we are delighted to welcome the Pope John Paul II Award to our schools and parishes. This initiative is now 10 years running in Ireland, and it has been a proven success in many dioceses throughout the country. It was designed to help young people to get involved in their local parishes, encouraging them to discover their part as members of the body of Christ, the Church. It helps them to engage, in a more meaningful and concrete way, in their own personal faith and in the faith of their community, while at the same time being of service and benefit to the life of the Church.

I hope that the Pope John Paul II Award gives the young people of our diocese many opportunities to discover their gifts and talents to become true leaders of the future in all walks of life, and especially in the life of the Church.

May the experience of the Award bring real personal fulfilment, and joy, hope and faith rooted in Jesus Christ.

I wish all the participants every blessing and success.

+ Bishop Denis Brennan
Bishop of Ferns

The Diocese of Ferns was kindly assisted by the Knights of St Columbanus with funding to start the Pope John Paul II Award.

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 hoursTop-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
On a number of occasions during the year, the Ferns Youth Ministry organise youth activities such as participating in a walking pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Island, or attending a youth talk. Participation in these activities can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Ferns Spirit Youth Group
Ferns Spirit Diocesan Youth Group initiative is aimed at transition year/5th year students. Spirit is a dynamic, exciting and motivational youth group.
The framework of the group is devised to encourage team work, positive peer support, positive self-development, friendship and a supportive value ethos. Participation in this type of activity can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting four days or more to work on specific projects such as orphanages in Romania, or home building in Zambia in Africa, or other areas to work in a voluntary capacity in schools and communities 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

Diocese of Ferns

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 Ferns

The Award in the Diocese of Ferns

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

Diocese of Ferns Award Top-Up Suggestions

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News

Diocese of Ferns launch the Pope John Paul II Award

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 Ferns Award Office