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January 2008

First 126 Young People Receive Pope John Paul II Award

On 25th January 2008 the first 126 young people to complete the Pope John Paul II Award received their medal and certificate from His Eminence Cardinal Sean Brady and Patron of the Award, Bishop Seamus Hegarty.

This First Annual Award Ceremony was held in the Millennium Forum, Derry and was a great occasion of celebration and joy for the young people and their family and friends. Present also where members of the school and parish communities throughout the diocese who helped implement the award. In his Address Cardinal Brady was delighted to congratulate the young people for their involvement in this 'excellent initiative' and spoke about how the award "brings together three of the great pillars of Catholic life: the family, the school and the parish acting together in service of the common good". The Cardinal continued "The award is an excellent example of how to bring out the best in the Church, in service of the local community and in how to help young people to bring out the best in themselves". Young people present were encouraged by Cardinal Brady's comments; he told them "Some of God's greatest prophets were chosen from among the young. Tonight we celebrate the great things God has done through each of you, in your individual projects and initiatives in service of your local parish and community".

The award has been set up to commemorate the Late John Paul II and to highlight the great love he had for young people. Cardinal Brady said "Pope John Paul II had such confidence in the young, because he knew that God has confidence in the young. You are today's prophets. By your participation in the Pope John Paul II Awards initiative, each of you has become a champion of human dignity, a witness to the potential for good in every human person, a beacon of hope to our world. I congratulate you and I thank you... I pray that God will bring the good work he has begun in you to completion".

Over 300 young people are engaged in activities for this award for the up-coming year in parishes and communities throughout and beyond the Derry diocese. It is hoped the award will continue to help and facilitate young people discover they have a very significant role to play in the life of the Church.