Apostolic Nuncio visits Diocesan Pastoral Centre to present Pope John Paul II Awards

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Most Reverend Charles J. Brown, visited the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan recently to present young people from the Diocese of Kilmore with their Pope John Paul II Awards at a special ceremony at which the Bishop of Kilmore, Most Reverend Leo O’Reilly, presided. 

14 people from across the diocese received Papal Cross Awards. 33 received Gold Awards and the remaining 14 received Silver and Bronze.  

The Award is run in most Irish dioceses and was launched in the diocese of Kilmore in 2011 with the valued and valuable support of the Knights of St. Columbanus.  Each young person taking part in the awards programme chooses to get involved in parish life as well as participating in some social awareness activity in their locality.  All award recipients complete a presentation in which they reflect upon the tasks they undertake in the light of gospel values.  Finally they reflect on how the award helps them understand and appreciate the contribution that young people can make in the Church today.

Carina McGinnell, Diocesan Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, welcomed all present to the ceremony especially the participants, their families, mentors, parish priests and school representatives as well as Archbishop Brown, Bishop O’Reilly, representatives of the local Knights of St. Columbanus and the Diocesan Youth Ministry Volunteers, Claire McGlade and Kathleen McCabe.

After a short liturgy, Bishop O’Reilly added his words of welcome to all present, especially to the Nuncio who was on his first official visit to Cavan.  He commended the young people for participating in the awards and for the witness they give in their parishes and schools.  He also thanked those who supported the young people in achieving their awards.

Archbishop Brown echoed the words of Bishop O’Reilly.  A native of New York, the Nuncio’s great great-grandfather was Murphy from Rossinver in the parish of Ballaghameehan in Co. Leitrim from where there were three award recipients this year.

He said that he was delighted to attend the presentation ceremony and to present the awards to a cohort of fine young people who have taken such an active part in the life of their Church, in the life of their community and society.  It was a source of much joy for him to see the Pope John Paul II Awards Programme spread across Ireland but also overseas. 

Also in attendance at the presentation ceremony were Msgr. Piotr Tarnawski who had just taken up post as First Secretary at the Dublin Nunciature a few days beforehand, Fr. Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services, and Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.

The presentation ceremony concluded with a buffet lunch served in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre

Papal Cross Winners 2016

Gold Award Winners 2016

Msgr. Piotr Tarnawski First Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin; Fr. Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services; Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio; Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore; Carina McGinnell, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry; and Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.

Bishop Leo O’Reilly with Carina McGinnell, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry; Claire McGlade and Kathleen McCabe (Youth Ministry Volunteers); and Archbishop Charles Brown

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. 

The Pope John Paul II Award is for anyone between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary. Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14 or 20 weeks. There are 3 Award levels – Gold, Silver & Bronze. Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.

Over 20,000 young people, in 21 dioceses throughout Ireland and the UK have successfully completed the Pope John Paul II Awards to date.

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, School Chaplain, or Carina McGinnell, Diocesan Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry who is based  at the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre on 049 4375004 (ext. 103).  You can also find information on www. thepopejohnpauliiaward.com

• Photographs supplied are courtesy of Brian Mulligan Photography, Cootehill, to whom credit should be given if reproduced.