KILMORE DIOCESE PRESENTS ITS ANNUAL POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARDS:

The annual Kilmore Diocesan Pope John Paul II Awards ceremony took place earlier this year in the Cavan Crystal Hotel in Cavan Town. During the evening, seventy-six students were presented with their award.

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.

Fr. Peter McVerry S.J. was the guest speaker at this year’s awards ceremony. He spoke openly about his life’s work with the homelessness and how he is still motivated in 2020 to help those in need and highlight that problem within Irish society. Many young people who received an award on the night were very aware of this social problem and were inspired by his honesty and positive attitude to such a difficult area of work.

Also present at the awards ceremony was Monsignor Liam Kelly, Diocesan Administrator, who addressed those present and congratulated those being presented with their awards. He commended them for their diligence in completing the various aspects of the awards and also, more importantly, for their commitment to their faith, the Church and their local community. He thanked them for the great witness and example they give to others. In conclusion, he expressed his appreciation to those who supported the awardees in the pursuit of their award.

The participants and award leaders at parish or school level spoke highly of the award itself and the platform it gives young people to explore their faith through work within their parish or school community. Many young people became Eucharistic Ministers, Readers at Mass, visited the elderly on a weekly basis and took part in events such as Darkness into Light. It has become such a vital award within the Diocese and is only made possible with the support of youth representatives, parish leaders, school chaplains, teachers and most importantly the young people themselves.

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 the Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office at the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre on 049 4375004 (ext. 103). You can also find information on www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com

2019 Kilmore Diocesan Pope John Paul II Award Recipients pictured following the recent presentation ceremony in Cavan with (in centre) Francis Keaney (Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry), Fr. Peter McVerry S.J. (Guest Speaker) and Monsignor Liam Kelly (Diocesan Administrator).