Diocese of Kilmore

The Pope John Paul II Award

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    • The Gold Award
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Making young people visible in their church, community & society

Diocese of Kilmore

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 Kilmore

I warmly welcome the proposal to introduce the Pope John Paul II Award in the diocese of Kilmore. Parish Pastoral Councils frequently discuss the issue of how to find creative ways to engage young people with the faith and how to involve them more fully in the life of the parish. The initiative of the Pope John Paul II Award is a very concrete way of inviting young people to reflect more deeply on their faith and take part in activities which will be engaging and rewarding for themselves, and at the same time be of service and benefit to others. It will enable young people to live out their faith and witness to it in their parishes and communities.

Bearing witness to our Christian faith means having the courage and conviction to speak about it to others, to share what we believe in and to invite others to do the same. It is an exercise of Christian leadership that needs to be practised and cultivated. The Pope John Paul II Award provides opportunities to do that. I know that there is a great wealth of idealism and generosity in our young people. Very often all it needs is a little bit of encouragement and the opportunity to express it. It is also greatly helped by the support of a group of peers who are similarly motivated and engaged.

There is a lot of talk about the need for renewal in the Church today. Renewal means change and that has to begin with each one of us embarking on a journey of change. Like every journey, the journey of change begins with a first step. This initiative is a very worthwhile first step.

It is my fervent wish that the Pope John Paul II Award will provide the opportunities, the motivation and the support to some of our young people so that they can make their contribution to the life of their parish or community.

I wish this initiative every blessing and success.

+ Leo O’Reilly
Bishop of Kilmore

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

The Award in the Diocese of Kilmore

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 Kilmore 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. 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 Diocesan Youth Ministry Team will organise youth activities such as participation in the diocesan pilgrimage to Knock, climbing Croagh Patrick, Youth Retreat Days or other pilgrimage activities. Participation in these activities can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Training for Ministry
During the year, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team will extend an invitation for young people to participate in training programmes. These training events can also 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 Africa. The Presentation Schools’ Projects which bring young people to Zambia or other areas to work in a voluntary capacity in schools and communities can also be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Discovery Programme
Participation in a Discovery Programme at parish level 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.

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 Kilmore 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

Diocese of Kilmore Award recipients 2018

Tyrone Senior Footballer presents 2018 Kilmore Diocesan Pope John Paul II Awards

Published 2nd November 2018

On Thursday, 11 October 2018 the diocese of Kilmore held their Annual Pope John Paul II Award ... read more

Kilmore Diocese, Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2017

Diocese of Kilmore annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony 2017

Published 22nd October 2017

On Friday, 6 October 2017 the diocese of Kilmore held their Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony ... 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

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Contact Kilmore Award Office

By telephone:
049 437 5004

By email:
youthministry@kilmorediocese.ie

By post:
The Pope John Paul II Award Committee
Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre
Cullies
Cavan
Co. Cavan

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