Making young people visible in their church, community & society
Diocese of Limerick
Find out moreApplication & other materialsThe 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.”
Message from the Bishop of Limerick
I am delighted to introduce the Pope John Paul II Award in the Diocese of Limerick. When we celebrated the Synod in 2016, we agreed it would be good to introduce this Award because it provides a structure for young people to explore practical ways in which they can play an active role in their parish and also become more aware of their community and the challenges that people face in their locality.
Pope John Paul II visited Limerick in 1979. He placed great value on the important role that young people play in the Church. He once said: “The Church needs your energies, your enthusiasm, your youthful ideals, in order to make the Gospel of Life penetrate the fabric of society, transforming people’s hearts and the structures of society in order to create a civilisation of true justice and love.”
I gladly encourage young people in the Diocese to embrace with enthusiasm the opportunity of participating in this Award. Your parish and the Diocese will be a richer place for your involvement.
I’d like to suggest three words to guide you as you set out.
Courage: Don't be afraid to reach out and take an initiative.
Benevolence: Be kind in the way you go about things, offering each other an encouraging word, praising someone when they do something good, consoling them if they have a difficulty, speaking up for them if others are downing them. In other words, be kind in what you say and in how you do things.
Spirit: You are at school, you’re learning many things. But don’t forget in all of this, you are a spiritual person so you need to look after that side of yourself. The Pope John Paul II Award wants to help you do that. It’s so important to keep in touch with the person of Jesus Christ. He’s not just someone you learnt about who lived two thousand years ago. He’s alive today too and is by your side. He wants to help you, support you and guide you. So be sure and keep in touch with him as you strive for the Pope John Paul II Award, nurturing the spiritual side of your life (remember you always have the Holy Spirit to strengthen you!). Jesus made a wonderful promise and he makes it to you today: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Jesus wants your life not just to be ordinary but to be fruitful, really fruitful.
I’ll pray for you and I ask you to pray for me. Every best wish and blessing.
+ Bishop Brendan Leahy
Bishop of Limerick
The Award in the Diocese of Limerick
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 AwardDiocese of Limerick Award Top-Up Suggestions
Top-Ups will go towards the total number of hours an individual has to complete.
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.
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 Lourdes, 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.
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 Office for approval.
Award Resources for Downloading
The Award handbook explains in detail how the Award is run and who is responsible for running the Award in your diocese
Diocese of Limerick Award HandbookDownload
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.
Application & Consent FormDownload Parish & Social Activities Form
Download Safeguarding Agreement Form
Download Award Record Cards
View Record Card Guidelines
Download Reflection Guidelines
Download Reflection Template
Download