Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe, recently presented young people from across the diocese of Killaloe with their Pope John Paul II Award at the diocese 2016 Award ceremony.
Bishop Monahan made some great observations, offered words of encouragement to all Award participants and outlined the contribution the Award makes to the diocese.
Here is an extract from his address.
“Over the past few months since I came to Killaloe I have heard of the very significant contribution which you yourselves have been making in so many ways throughout the length and breadth of the Diocese of Killaloe.
I have heard of the way in which you have presented various aspects of your local Church as members of transition years, the great pride that you take in your local Church history, the books of prayers and projects that has been published by yourselves, the many pilgrimages you have embarked upon at home and abroad, the choirs you have joined, the nursing homes that you visited, the joy and hope that you brought to residents through your good humour, your music and song.
At Mass and in the Sacraments many of you have been reading as ministers of the Word, others have accompanied young people as they were preparing for Confirmation in the programme “You Shall Be My Witnesses”; you have been role models for younger people who look to you for direction.
Significant achievement
They see you as young people who are full of the joys of life, as outgoing, ready to help others, as young people who are independent and can think for themselves, as people who recognise that faith can and does make a difference for our people.
As young people you are eager to strive for a better world. You want to be partners in the construction of a more just and compassionate society. Already you have recognised and responded to a situation which required attention. You have done this because something within you prompted you and indicated that this is the right thing to do. In your experience of working towards the John Paul II Award you have greater understanding of the fact that faith cannot be something that remains just in your head alone. It must touch the heart and work through your hands and the gifts that you have. Your faith in God causes you to go out and relate to others – in your family, neighbourhood, those who may not be able to enjoy the things you take for granted, like health, mobility, vision and comfortable surroundings.
The genius of the John Paul II Award
You may not realise this, but yet older people pay huge attention to what you are doing; they are inspired by you and you provide them with great hope and courage. The Pope John Paul II Award has afforded you an opportunity to give expression to your outgoing nature so that you can develop the generosity that lies within you; this you have been doing over the years. What is taking place here is related very much to the Sacrament of Confirmation that you have received. You have now shown that you are a person who has taken responsibility and is capable of taking on even greater responsibility in the Church. I rejoice in this.
I welcome you and I want you to know that the Church welcomes your ideas, your youthful energy, your faith and the hope that you have in your heart. I want you to know that you are very valued members of a team here in the Diocese of Killaloe, in your own family, your school, your parish. In your sporting experience you know the way in which the team will always depend on every member. That is why you are so important in the team that is the Diocese of Killaloe. You have so much to offer to that team. I congratulate you on which you have already achieved and I look forward very much to what you will achieve in the future.
The learning experience of the Pope John Paul II Award
Already you have learned much from the Pope John Paul II Award. The importance of working with others, the fact that your faith prompts and propels you into action. You appreciate that the Church is not just a building but rather a group of people who are interested in the very same things as yourselves, who believe that Jesus Christ can make a huge difference in our world and improve the quality of life for all.”
Bishop Monahan’s full address can be viewed here on the killaloe diocese website.
Photographs from the Killaloe Award ceremony can be viewed here along with a lovely reference by Bishop Monahan to a verse by Bob Dylan.
