Students involved in the Pope John Paul II Award in the High School Clonmel, Co Tipperary recently decorated the Churches in the parish and raised over €1,300 towards the Church Building Fundraiser.
Churches decorated for Christmas in poinsettias plants in memory of loved ones
In November, students invited parishioners and visitors to donate €10 to have a poinsettia plant placed around the altars and cribs for Christmas in both SS Peter & Paul’s and the Church of the Resurrection. The parishioners wrote a card in memory of loved ones or for the intentions of family and friends away at Christmas.
Initially, the students had hoped for around 70 plants – they ended up with over 250! In the days before Christmas, the students got busy unpacking, watering, and placing each plant with the intentions card which formed part of the decorations around the Church for the Christmas season. It was a bigger task than originally planned, tanks to the overwhelming response of so many who wished to be part of the project. As well as adding to the decorating of the church, they also raised money towards the building fund in the church.
Many people commented on how well both Churches looked for Christmas and the plants really added to the warmth and welcome to parishioners and visitors alike.
Canon Brendan Crowley, parish priest, and Fr Michael Toomey, thanked the students of the High School for their wonderful initiative and the work they have been doing since the Pope John Paul II Award was launched in Clonmel this academic year.
Pope John Paul II Award activities
Participants in the Pope John Paul II Award earn awards by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14 or 20 weeks. The Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church – in the life of their community and society. Over 20,000 young people, in 21 dioceses throughout Ireland and the UK have successfully completed the Pope John Paul II Award since it was created in 2006.
Get involved in the Award
If you would like to get involved in the Award in the diocese of Waterford & Lismore, please contact the Award coordinator in Waterford & Lismore, Fr Michael Toomey, at jpiiwaterford@hotmail.com