Courtney McGrailArchbishop Philip Tartaglia, the Archbishop of Glasgow, and Bishop Donal McKeown presented the Pope John Paul II Award to 428 young people from all over the diocese of Derry and beyond in the Millennium Forum, Derry City last week. These young people came from 21 second level schools and represented 49 parishes in the diocese and 16 parishes from outside the diocese. The award was also presented to young people from Malin Presbyterian Church, Still Waters Elim and Cornerstone City Church.
This was the 10th Annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony in Derry, where it was originally launched in 2006 and has since been introduced in 22 dioceses in Ireland. The Archdiocese of Birmingham as well as the dioceses of Hexham and Newcastle in England has also introduced the award. This year an international coordinator has been appointed for the award, Mr Tony Brennan.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the award there will be a day of celebration in Knock on Wednesday, April 5. On October 30 there will be a pilgrimage to Rome for over 18 year olds who have completed the award and a book will soon be published recording the experiences of many young people who have taken part in the award.
For more information contact Seán Farrell on sean.farrell@derrydiocese.orgor phone +4428 71264087