On Wednesday 28 September, 2016 the diocese of Waterford and Lismore held their Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony in the Glencomeragh House of Prayer, Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary. The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Most Reverend Alphonsus Cullinan presented the Award to 16 students from five different schools across the diocese.
The schools awarded included Ardscoil na Mara Tramore, Coláiste Dún Lascaigh, Cahir, Waterpark and St Paul’s Community College Waterford, and Blackwater School in Lismore and Cappoquin parishes.
The Award was launched in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore diocese by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, in October 2014.
Running in 21 dioceses throughout Ireland, The Pope John Paul II Award encourages our young people to get involved in their community and parish, and as part of our parish commitment to enhancing the lives of our young people on their journey through faith. The Award has been kindly and generously supported since 2006 with the help of the Knights of St Columbanus.
Bishop Cullinan welcomed the students, their families and teachers, and mentioned the great work of youth ministry which is taking shape in the diocese.
Diocesan coordinator of the Pope John Paul II Award, Fr. Michael Toomey, said he was literally ‘astounded’ at the enthusiasm and commitment all students have given and put into this Award.
When people ask me – ‘where are the young people in our church?’ I can now say that they are just outside the door and waiting to be invited in!”
Fr. Michael added:
The feedback from the students has been so open and honest that it makes very good reading for priests, parish councils and schools in how to get their enthusiasm and energy back into the church. This Award helps everyone to do that.”
The Award allows students to assist in many parish and community ministries, and they in turn gain many experiences and talents, which enhance their spiritual and personal development.
Pope John Paul II Award is now running in Clonmel
This year, the Award is being launched in secondary schools and parishes in and around Clonmel. Already over 30 students have begun their Award.
More information
Award enrolment forms and resources can be found at: www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com/waterford-and-lismore or contact the Award leader in each school.
The Holy Family Mission
At the Award ceremony, Bishop Cullinan also welcomed The Holy Family Mission which is starting up in Glencomeragh House of prayer. The project welcomes young people interested in living in community, praying and studying the Catholic faith. They make a commitment of one year.
Bishop Cullinan said:
Glencomeragh will become a place of encounter for youth and from there to reach out to parishes and groups as a place to experience the faith lived out in a young Catholic Christian community”.
The core team of Maura Garrihy, Fr. Patrick Cahill and Patrick Reynolds have a great deal of experience working with young people and have fully committed to this project.
NET Ministries
NET Ministries have also started in the Diocese. Five young evangelizers, comprising two from Canada, and one each from Ireland, England and the US, will live and work in the Diocese for the next nine months. They will be involved in parish youth ministry across the Diocese, encountering their peers, encouraging the starting up of youth initiatives in parishes where they are invited.