Diocese of Raphoe

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.

The Pope John Paul II Award initiative offers young people a setting in which to practise their faith and get involved in their parish community. It helps them to shape their own lives. "To a large extent, from the time of our youth, we are whatever we want to be. We are, so to speak, the work of our own hands." - Pope Benedict XVI.

People do want the youth of their parish to be involved. Our Diocesan Pastoral Team has heard this request repeated many times as they listened to people throughout the Diocese.

Nowadays it is not easy for young people. A lot of the goodness and religious sentiment in their hearts is stifled by pressure from their peers. The support offered by the Pope John Paul II Award structure provides an opportunity where young people can get involved in the life of the parish and the Church. The young, as much as grown-ups and the elderly have a lot to offer, and oftentimes with more enthusiasm and energy. I encourage them not to miss this opportunity and I thank all who have made it possible.

Beannacht Dé oraibh

+ Philip Boyce
Bishop of Raphoe

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 and some schools 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. Being part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes can also count towards the Pope John Paul II Award.

Diocesan Youth Activities
Taking part in the Diocesan Youth Day, attending festivals such as the Knock Youth Festival or the Clonmacnois Youth Festival can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.

Retreats
Retreats lasting at least two days count towards the Pope John Paul II Award. These can be arranged privately or through involvement with other groups and organisations.

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 Committee for approval.

Making young people visible in their church, community & society

Diocese of Raphoe

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 Raphoe

The Award in the Diocese of Raphoe

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

Diocese of Raphoe Award Top-Up Suggestions

Downloads

Award Handbook

Award Resources

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 Raphoe Award Office