On Monday 5th of December 2011 the Pope John Paul II Award iniative was launched by Elphin Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Elphin.

Above: Fr. Paul Farren, National Director of the Initiative presents Bishop Christopher Jones with the Official Certificate of participation in the Award.

The Award is primarily aimed at post junior certificate students who are still in full time education.  The Award serves to encourage students to get involved in their local community and local church and recognises their effort through varying degrees of awards depending on the commitment given by the student.  There are four awards, The Papal Cross, Gold, Sliver and Bronze and it has a completion time of sixteen months.  Young people can earn an award by taking part in activities through Parish Involvement, Social Awareness and the preparation of a reflective presentation on the work they were involved in.  Each award requires different levels of commitment ranging from an hour a week for twenty-six weeks for the Papal Cross down to an hour a week for eight weeks for the Bronze Award.

Front L-R: Ger Brennan (Dublin Footballer), Bishop Christopher Jones, Frank McGuinness (Director of Youth Ministry Diocese of Elphin).

Back L-R: Barry McMahon (Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Columbanus), Barnie Burns (Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Columbanus), Fr Paul Farren pictured at the launch of the Pope John Paul II Award which was held on Monday in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon.

Speakers at the launch were Bishop Christopher Jones;  Supreme Knight, Mr. Barnie Burns from the Knights of St. Columbanus; Special Guest, Ger Brennan, Centre Half Back on All-Ireland Football Champions Dublin and Fr. Paul Farren, National Director for the John Paul II Awards, Derry Diocese.

A very special word of thanks to the Ursuline College Choir, Sligo who performed on the night and added so much to the occasion and in particular to Directors Ms Fiona McQuillan and Edel Murray and accompanist, Emer Prendergast for giving so generously of their time and energy to support the occasion.  Thanks also to all our Priests, Principals, Teachers and Students from across the diocese who attended on the night.

Ursuline College Choir, Sligo who performed at the launch of the Pope John Paul II Award

This initiative would not be possible without the overwhelming generosity of the Knights of Columbanus who are covering the entire setup costs associated with the Award in the Diocese.

Those wishing to participate in the award can enrol by downloading an application form and a parental consent form (if under eighteen years of age) from our website.

Full details available on www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com/elphin or contact Frank McGuinness, Director of Youth Ministry on 0879880690

Thanks to all our Priests, Principles, Teachers, Staff, Lecturers and Students from across the diocese who attended on the night.  Finaly to those who have agreed to serve on the Pope John Paul II Award Committee to oversee the iniative in the dicoese, a big thankyou.

Above: Ger Brennan (Dublin Footballer), Bishop Christopher Jones, with students and teachers from CBS Roscommon; Teachers Mr Scollan, Ms Daly and Mr Gaquin pictured at the launch of the Pope John Paul II Award

Above: Ger Brennan (Dublin Footballer), Bishop Christopher Jones, Frank McGuinness (Director of Youth Ministry Diocese of Elphin), with students and teachers from Summerhill College; Chaplin Paul Keogh and Fr Gerard Cryan pictured at the launch of the Pope John Paul II Award

Above: Ger Brennan (Dublin Footballer), Bishop Christopher Jones, with students and teachers from St Aloysius College Athlone; Teachers Mr McGeeney and Ms Maree pictured at the launch of the Pope John Paul II Award