Message from the Archbishop of Tuam

It is sometimes said that our young people are the Church of tomorrow and so they are. But young people are more than just the future of the Church. They are the Church of today. As such, as well as presenting us with our greatest resource, young people also provide us with our greatest challenge.

From chatting with young people from all over our diocese I am convinced that many want to be involved in our Church. We, as a Church, need to offer young people real and meaningful opportunities to play their part in the building up of God's kingdom.

Tuam Diocesan Youth Council was formed in early 2008 and it continues to imagine new ways of engaging with the young people of our diocese. The setting up of the Pope John Paul II Award is a way of honouring the vital role which many young people already play in their parish communities. It provides young people with a way of expressing their faith in practical ways and challenges them to reflect on their role in their Church.

I thank the Knights of St. Columbanus for their generous sponsorship of this project and I commend the Diocesan Youth Council for its energy and vision. Finally I pray God’s blessing on all who will benefit from their involvement in the Pope John Paul II Awards.

+ Michael Neary
Archbishop of Tuam

Award Top-Ups

The Papal Cross Award

The Gold Award

The Silver Award

The Bronze Award

Pdf of the Award Handbook - Tuam

Pdf of the Application Form

Pdf of the Record Cards

Record Card Guidelines

Pdf of the Presentation Guidelines

Pdf of the Presentation Template