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All About Me
A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP OF MEATH
I am delighted that the Pope John Paul II Award, involving young people in second level schools, is being extended in the Diocese of Meath. Pope John Paul II, among many other initiatives, began the worldwide gathering of young people known as World Youth Days. His initiative, which has evoked an enormous response, was a call and a challenge as well as an affirmation of the contribution young people can make to their families, their local community, the Church and wider society. The Award encourages such involvement and outreach which has a formative and positive impact on the lives of those who take part. I hope that the involvement that the Award requires will be an invitation to our young people to become more acquainted with and involved in their local parish.
I hope that many young people and schools will be able to participate in the programme throughout our Diocese. I especially thank those who have given their time and expertise to oversee this welcome development and I look forward to meeting the participants in due course.
+Tom Deenihan
Bishop of Meath
The Pope John Paul II Award Explained
The Pope John Paul II Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary.
The Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church – in the life of their community and society. It 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 was created to commemorate the late Pope Saint John Paul II who was so committed to young people and who had such belief and confidence in them. The Award was launched by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Most Rev Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto on 7th November 2006 in the Diocese of Derry, Ireland.
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Making Young People Visible in Their Church, Community & Society
The Award is committed to helping young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development through participation in school, parish and community activities. As well as the feeling of personal achievement that a participant will gain from taking part in the Award, participation will help demonstrate the young person’s commitment to a task and goal.
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Who is the Award for?
The Pope John Paul II Award is for anyone between the age of 16 and 18. The Award is run by the Diocese and is suitable for:
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Students in 4th Year
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Students in full-time education who have completed Junior Certificate
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Students in Transition Year
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Anyone between the age of 16 and 18, not in post-primary education
The Award is non-competitive, flexible and voluntary and requires an ongoing commitment. Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14 or 20 weeks. There are 3 Awards – Gold, Silver & Bronze. Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.
The Papal Cross Award
Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.
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Diocese Celebrates Pope St. John Paul II Awards 2024
On Saturday the 9th of November Bishop Tom presented students from the Diocese of Meath with medals for their participation in the Pope John Paul II awards. 29 students received the Gold medal and 6 students were presented with the highest award, the Papal Cross for their involvement in parish and community endeavours.
Students who received awards this year came from schools in Mullingar (St Finians, Loreto College and St Marys CBS), Trim (Scoil Mhuire) and Kells (St Ciaráns CS).
The award is facilitated in the Diocese of Meath by Seán Wright and offers students an opportunity to deepen and explore their faith through involvement in activities in their parish, school and the wider community.
Students this year have been involved in liturgies in their parishes, fundraising and mentoring activities, indeed some students also got the opportunity, as part of an immersion programme to spend time in Assumption parish in Mazabuka, Zambia working with parish and school groups.
After the presentation of awards Bishop Tom met with the students and their families and listened to a number of students sharing what they had been involved with doing over the previous year for their awards and how their faith had been deepened by their participation.
The main photo shows Bishop Tom with students from the Diocese and Br John Murphy, Supreme Knight of the Knights of St Columbanus.
Further information on the awards in the Diocese of Meath please contact Seán Wright, Diocesan Director, meathjp2@gmail.com
Prayer to Pope St. John Paul II
for Young People
Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.
May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan's assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.
Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
Oh St. John Paul, from heaven's window, where we see you next to Mary, send God's blessing down upon us all. Amen