Diocese of Meath

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 that the Pope John Paul II Award, involving young people in second level schools, is being extended in the Diocese of Meath. Pope John Paul II, among many other initiatives, began the worldwide gathering of young people known as World Youth Days. His initiative, which has evoked an enormous response, was a call and a challenge as well as an affirmation of the contribution young people can make to their families, their local community, the Church and wider society. The Award encourages such involvement and outreach which has a formative and positive impact on the lives of those who take part. I hope that the involvement that the Award requires will be an invitation to our young people to become more acquainted with and involved in their local parish.

I hope that many young people and schools will be able to participate in the programme throughout our Diocese. I especially thank those who have given their time and expertise to oversee this welcome development and I look forward to meeting the participants in due course

+ Tom Deenihan
Bishop of Meath

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

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:

Retreats
Any student who takes part in at least a one day retreat will be eligible for an Award Top-Up.

Pilgrimage
Each year young people from the diocese travel to Lourdes. Travelling as part of this group or volunteering as a member of the pilgrimage team can be part of this Award.

Diocesan Youth Activities
On a number of occasions during the year, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team may organise youth activities such as participation in the diocesan pilgrimage to Knock, Youth Retreat Days, Youth 2000 retreats or other pilgrimage activities. Participation in these activities can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Training for Ministry
During the year, parishes may 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 4 days or more to work on specific projects, such as orphanages in Romania or home building in Africa. The Immersion 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.

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 Meath

The Award in the Diocese of Meath

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

Diocese of Meath Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

News

Diocese of Meath, Annual Award ceremony 2017

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 Meath Award Office