On Thursday, 23 November 2017 the Diocese of Killaloe held their fourth annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony, in the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare
122 young people in the Diocese of Killaloe receive their Award
A crowd of over 300 hundred people gathered to witness Bishop Fintan Monahan and Sr Helen Culhane present 122 young people from across the diocese with their Award.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony Bishop Fintan Monahan commended the Award recipients for their generosity of spirit and encouraged the young people to continue the work that they had begun as part of the Award. He said “you are so important to the diocese of Killaloe and you have much to offer to your communities. So I congratulate you on what you have achieved and I look forward very much to what you will achieve in the future. Already you have learned much from the John Paul II Award, the importance of working with others and the fact that your faith prompts and propels you into action at the service of others”.
Award recipient Padraig Casey from St Flannans College said “All in all, my Pope John Paul II Award experience was amazing, because, not only did I get to meet new people, and new friends, it also showed me that Youth Ministry is still alive in the diocese and as Bishop Fintan told us at the Youth Faith Fest last September, we should ‘Keep the Faith'”.
Sr. Helen Culhane of the Limerick Children’s grief centre spoke about her work and the importance of Listening to young people and the good that they can do by volunteering their time and energy to help others.
Riona Gillespie a fifth year student in Saint Marys Nenagh, spoke about her experience as part of the youth section of the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Every year 48 young people from across the diocese volunteer to help the assisted pilgrims, who stay in the hospital, have a prayerful and joyful experience. She explained “The pilgrimage to Lourdes has definitely deepened my faith and also created lifelong friendships”.
Get involved in the Award in Killaloe Diocese
The Pope John Paul II Award is run annually in 24 dioceses around the country. Anyone from the diocese of Killaloe wishing to participate in the Award or seeking further information can contact the Pope John Paul II Award coordinator, Fr. Ger Jones at jp2killaloe@gmail.com