Over fifty young people from the Diocese of Kilmore received their Pope John Paul II awards at a special ceremony in the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre on Friday 4th December.  The Pope John Paul II Award was established a number of years ago in order to honour the memory of the late pontiff, especially his love, affection and care for young people. 

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The Award is run in most Irish dioceses and was launched in Kilmore in 2011.  Candidates can receive gold, silver or bronze awards.  Each young person chooses to get involved in parish life as well as participating in some social awareness activity which could be fundraising, coaching or visiting the elderly to name but a few.  This year three candidates received the Papal Cross Award, which is the highest award on offer and involves a commitment of 26 weeks to parish work and social awareness.  All of the award recipients completed a presentation in which they reflected on the tasks they had undertaken in the light of gospel values.  Finally they reflect on how the award has helped them understand and appreciate the contribution that young people can make in the Church today.

At the awards ceremony on 4th December the candidates were addressed by Barry Mac Mahon, Supreme Knight, Knights of St. Columbanus and Bishop Leo O’Reilly, bishop of Kilmore and patron of the awards in the diocese of Kilmore.. Afterwards His Eminence Cardinal Sean Brady presented the awards to the young people.  In his remarks Cardinal  Brady congratulated the young people and thanked them for their generosity of spirit in getting involved in such a concrete way in the life of their Church and community.  He also thanked the Knights of St. Columbanus for their generous support of the Award since its establishment in Kilmore.

If you would like to get involved in the Pope John Paul II Award or just find out more about it contact your local Parish Priest or Sean Coll at the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre 049 4375004 (ext. 2).

 Photos courtesy of Aymen Abdel Rahim, St. Patrick’s College, Cavan.