Diocese of Killaloe

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 am delighted see the continued success of the Pope John Paul II Award in the Diocese of Killaloe. One of the questions continually asked concerns how our Church can engage with our young people. This Award is, I believe, an excellent opportunity for young people to engage in a real and concrete way with their Church.

In the past year, one of the most fruitful experiences for me has been the involvement with the youth volunteers who participate in the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. I have been very impressed with their energy, good humour and spirit of service towards those on the pilgrimage who have serious health issues. The young, gathered from around the diocese show a great sense of caring and goodwill to those entrusted to their care over the days of the pilgrimage. Young people have a great ability to link with each other creating networks of friendship that I hope will last a long time.

It was also been very heartening to go on pilgrimage with so many young people to the annual diocesan youth pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick and to meet many young people at various faith gatherings organised by the Diocesan Youth Forum in St. Flannan's College and in the many parishes of the diocese. It is so good as well to see the engagement and synergy created in the area of sacred music which links in with the great talents of the youth of the diocese. I commend the many people who facilitate this and give so generously of their time and talent in this area.

I am sure that the young people I have met on pilgrimage and at various youth events represent the many young people throughout the diocese who are committed to the values of the Kingdom of God and will continue to benefit greatly from the Pope John Paul II Award.

I invite young people to engage with the Award and seize the opportunity to live their baptism in a real way and become involved as members of the Church of today and tomorrow. Every blessing on all those involved.

Rath Dé oraibh.

+ Fintan Monahan
Bishop of Killaloe

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 Killaloe 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 to Lourdes
Each year pilgrims from the Killaloe Diocese travel to Lourdes between the 26th of June and 1st of July. A number of the people who travel are registered as assisted pilgrims. These people need special care while in Lourdes. 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 pilgrimage can be part of this Award.

Pilgrimage to Taizé
Each year a pilgrimage of young people from the diocese joins the community of Taizé in southern France. The Taizé Community is made up of over a hundred brothers representing around thirty nations and coming from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds. Participating in this pilgrimage can be part of this Award.

Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting 4 days or more to work on specific projects, such as home building in Africa.

Retreats - Youth Activities
Taking part in the Diocesan Youth Day, attending festivals such as the Knock Youth Festival or the Clonmacnois Youth Festival, retreats lasting at least two days, or attendance at World Youth Day can 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

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 Killaloe

The Award in the Diocese of Killaloe

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

Diocese of Killaloe Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

News & Activities

Diocese of Killaloe Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2017

Diocese of Killaloe Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2016

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 Killaloe Award Office