Award Top-Ups are given in recognition of the extra activities that young people are already involved in. Top-Ups will go towards the total number of hours an individual has to complete.
Top-Ups:
Papal Cross: 7.5 hours
Gold: 6 hours
Silver: 4.5 hours
Bronze: 3 hours
Top-Ups can be achieved in a number of ways, for example:
Each year young people from the Diocese travel to Lourdes accompanying pilgrims with disability as part of the HCPT pilgrimage. Working in Lourdes with such diocesan groups can be part of this Award.
Participation in the annual Tochar Pádraig organised by the Diocesan Youth Council is also a way to gain Award Top-Ups. This pilgrimage takes place over three stages culminating with the Annual Youth Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick held in May.
Each year a number of junior members of the Legion of Mary travel to Great Britain to work in parishes. During this time they visit homes and offer the Catholic faith to all whom they encounter.
Many third level students undertake humanitarian trips to Third World countries during their summer break. These trips can also provide an opportunity for Top-Ups for the Pope John Paul II Awards.
World Youth Day is an international festival of Catholic faith organised every three years. Pilgrims who travel to this wonderful event participate in a six month preparation programme.
There may be other activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee for approval.