Diocese of Down & Connor Top-Up Suggestions

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:

Pilgrimage

Each year, many people from the Diocese of Down and Connor travel to Lourdes at Easter and during the summer, to care for people with disabilities. These people need special care while in Lourdes and volunteers are always needed to give them that care. It may be pushing their wheelchair or just accompanying them. Working in Lourdes with the diocesan groups can be part of this Award.

Young people also take part in pilgrimages to places such as Taizé, Clonmacnoise and Santiago de Compostela. These pilgrimages can also be considered as Award Top-Ups.

Home & Overseas Service Projects

Young people may engage in service projects lasting four days or more at home or abroad, such as summer schemes - SERVE, Habitat for Humanity or working in orphanages in Romania. These service projects may be considered as Award Top-Ups.

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.

Message from the Bishop

The Papal Cross Award

The Gold Award

The Silver Award

The Bronze Award

Pdf of the Award Handbook - Down & Connor

Pdf of the Application Form

Pdf of the Record Cards

Pdf of the Presentation Guidelines

Pdf of the Presentation Template