Diocese of Galway

Pope John Paul II Award

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  • The Award Explained
    • The Gold Award
    • The Silver Award
    • The Bronze Award
    • The Papal Cross Award
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Making young people visible in their church, community & society

Diocese of Galway

Find out moreApplication & other materials

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.”

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.

A message from the Bishop of Galway

It is sometimes said that our young people are the Church of tomorrow and so they are. But these young people are more than just the future of the Church. They are the Church of today. As such, as well as presenting us with our greatest resource, young people present us with our greatest challenge.

From my conversations with young people, I am convinced that many want to be involved in our Church. Our challenge is to offer them practical and meaningful opportunities to play their part in the building up of our faith community.

Through our team at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, we continue to seek ways of identifying the faith development needs of our young people, to provide opportunities for their inclusive involvement in the Church and to empower them to minister to their peers. At Confirmation when they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray that God will 'support them through every trial and by their works build up the Church in holiness and joy'.

The Pope John Paul II Award is one way in which our young people can get involved in their local parishes for their benefit and for the benefit of their parishes. It offers them practical ways to express their faith and it challenges them to reflect on their role in their Church. I pray God’s blessing on all who will benefit from their involvement in the Pope John Paul II Award.

+ Martin Drennan
Bishop of Galway

The Award in the Diocese of Galway

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

Diocese of Galway Award Top-Up Suggestions

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
Many parishes organise pilgrimages, either specifically for young people, or for the wider parish community, but open to young people. Schools also organise pilgrimages to places like Croagh Patrick. Participation in this type of activity 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. Pilgrims who travel to this wonderful event participate in a six month preparation programme.

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.

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.

Diocese of Galway Award Handbook
Download

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
Download

Award Record Cards
View

Record Card Guidelines
Download

Reflection Guidelines
Download

Reflection Template
Download

News & Activities

Pope John Paul 2 Award Galway 2018

Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Annual Award Ceremony 2018

Published 28th November 2018

On Thursday, 22 November 2018 the diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora held their 8th Annual ... read more

Award participants with Bishop Kelly

Pope John Paul 2 Award group gathering in Galway

Published 23rd April 2018

On Thursday, 19th April 2018, 60 young people from all across the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh ... read more

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

  • The Award Explained
  • The Gold Award
  • The Silver Award
  • The Bronze Award
  • The Papal Cross Award
  • The Role of the Diocesan Coordinator
  • The Role of an Award Leader
  • Participants Code of Ethics
  • Safeguarding Information
  • See the Award at Work
  • Hear from Award Participants
  • Participating Diocese

About Us

  • The Award Team
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  • Award Resources
  • JPII Award Logo for Download
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Contact Galway Award Office

By telephone:
091 565 066

By email:
jp11galway@gmail.com

By post:
The Pope John Paul II Award Committee,
Diocesan Pastoral Centre,
Aras de Brún,
Newtownsmith,
Galway.

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