An awards scheme has been launched in the Diocese of Cork and Ross which will recognise the social action of young people and help them connect with parish.
Launching the scheme at two events in the diocese Bishop Fintan Gavin invited the schools and parishes of the Diocese of Cork and Ross to take part in the scheme.
Students from Ursuline Secondary School, Blackrock, with Mr Patrick Macbeth and Bishop Fintan Gavin at the launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Blackrock, Cork. 
Carrigaline parish delegation meets Bishop Fintan Gavin at the launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Blackrock, Cork. 
Students of Nagle Community College with Mr Nicholas O’Keeffe, Vice Principal, and Bishop Fintan Gavin a
t the launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Blackrock, Cork.
Mr Tony Brennan, National Coordinator of the JP II awards, Sr Karen Kent, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Mr Gerald Harbinson, Supreme Knight of Knights of St Columbanus, Fr Charlie Kiely, at the launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Blackrock, Cork. 
Bishop Fintan Gavin with Mr Brendan Walsh and students of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Students and staff of Clonakilty Community College with Bishop Fintan Gavin at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Members of the NET MInistry team with Bishop Fintan Gavin at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Bantry delegation with Bishop Gavin at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Ardfield parishioners with Fr McCarthy meeting Bishop Gavin at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Bishop Fintan Gavin with a Papal Medal recipient Rachel Collins from Clonakilty, and Leaving Cert student at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Mons Aidan O’Driscoll welcomes the attendees to the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Fr Charlie Kiley, Pastoral Development Office, addresses the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
At the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
At the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Tony Brennan, National Coordinator of the Award scheme at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Supreme Knight of the Knights of Saint Columbanus Gerald Harbinson speaking at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Sr. Karen Kenu osu, Pastoral Development Office, at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
A
t the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty.
Seen at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Attendees at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Rachel Collins, Clonakilty, speaking
at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty.
Bishop Fintan Gavin speaking at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Bishop Fintan Gavin speaking at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Members of the Collins Family Clonakilty, Barry Maeve and Rachel with Bishop Fintan Gavin at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty. 
Tony Brennan, National Coordinator of the John Paul II Awards for young people present Bishop Fintan Gavin with a scroll recognising the participation of the diocese in the awards. Also at the West Cork launch of the John Paul II Awards for young people at the Parish Centre, Clonakilty are Fr Charlie Kiely and Sr Karen Kent osu of the Pastoral Development Office.
The Pope John Paul II Awards are named after the Polish Pope who was the first pope to visit Ireland in 1979 and this is the first year that the local diocese has officially participated in the awards which are also run nationally.
Parishioners of all ages attended two launch events in the Parish Centre, Blackrock, Cork, and in the Parish Centre, Clonakilty, Co Cork.
The award is non-competitive, flexible and voluntary and requires an ongoing commitment from the participant.
It is designed for young people between the age of 16 and 18.
Organisers say that through the Pope John Paul II Award, young people in the Diocese of Cork and Ross will be enabled to take an active part in the life of their Church, in the life of their community and society and also become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world. This will enable young people to engage at a deep level with Christ, whose body the Church is.
It will also allow young people to understand that religion and faith is not just for learning, nor is it a list of rules, but that it is for living.
The awards programme across the country is supported by the Knights of St Columbanus – a Catholic lay organisation which promotes social action.
For more about the Awards see https://thepopejohnpauliiaward.com/