Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

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 wholeheartedly welcome the introduction of the Pope John Paul II Award in our diocese. This Award calls our young people to deepen their relationship with Christ and to live out their faith in generous service to others. The young people of our diocese are a great blessing and we need their unique gifts in our communities. Pope Francis reminded us of how much their contribution is valued at World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro when he gave this message to the young people of the world: "The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you…. You can be joyful witnesses of His love, courageous witnesses of His Gospel, carrying to this world a ray of His light."

Pope Francis was following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II who inaugurated the World Youth Days many years earlier to express his love for young people and his confidence in them. In 1995 at World Youth Day in Manila, Pope John Paul II directed a personal question at each young person: "Are you capable of giving of yourself, your time, your energies, your talents, for the good of others? Are you capable of love? If you are, the Church and society can expect great things from each one of you."

The Pope John Paul II Award will give an opportunity to our young people to respond to that same question by reflecting on their faith and putting that faith into action. I invite our parishes and our schools to accompany young people in this endeavour and I thank all who will be involved in supporting this initiative.

Most of all I invite you, the young people of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, to respond to the challenge that this Award offers you and to participate in the life and mission of our diocese. You are vitally important to the Church of Hexham and Newcastle. Together we are called to travel with hope on the great adventure of faith and to seek to be witnesses to the Gospel building God’s kingdom of truth, justice and love in our world.

+ Seamus Cunningham
Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle

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 Hexham & Newcastle Award Top-Up Suggestions

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

Lourdes Youth
Each year many people from Hexham and Newcastle Diocese travel to Lourdes to care for people with illness and disability. The Lourdes Youth are essential to provide the level of care required. Working in Lourdes can be part of this Award.

There are other voluntary Diocesan and school pilgrimages which involve volunteering. These pilgrimages can also be considered as Award Top-Ups.

Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting four days or more to work on specific projects such as the Peru Mission or projects in Africa can also be considered as Award Top-Ups.

Youth Council
Youth Council activities can also be considered for 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 through your Parish or School Co-ordinator, for approval.

Making young people visible in their church, community & society

Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

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 Hexham & Newcastle

The Award in the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

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

Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

News

Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle, 1st Pope John Paul II Award ceremony

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 Hexham & Newcastle Award Office