Congratulations to the Presentation College students who recently received their JPII Awards. At a recent ceremony in St. Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen nine students from Presentation College were presented with their Awards by Fr. John Dunphy. 

The Pope John Paul II Award was created to commemorate the late Pope John Paul II who was so committed to young people and who had such belief and confidence in them. 

The Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary. The Awards available are Bronze, Silver, Gold and the Papal Cross. 

Congratulations to the nine students, who received their awards from Fr Dunphy. Gold: Lexie Doogue, Maeve Dempsey and Matthew Hosey; Papal Cross: Amy Keating, Anna Miller, Annie Sheehan, Ava Sheehan, Danielle O’Driscoll and Rachel Hand. 

Principal Mr. Murray was in attendance for the moving event. Special thanks to Caitríona and all who helped to make this such a special experience for students. Fr. Dunphy spoke about the Pope’s visit to Ireland and showed a photo of when he himself met Pope John Paul 2. It is not every day that students get to know and work with somebody who actually met a Saint. 

The Award is committed to helping young people enhance their spiritual, physical, social and emotional development through participation in school, parish and community activities. As well as the feeling of personal achievement that a participation will gain from taking part in the Award, participation will also help demonstrate the young person’s commitment to a task and goal. 

Fr. Dunphy praised the students for their commitment to their faith and parish. Duties undertaken included the ministries of Reading and the Eucharist, ushering, making St. Brigid’s Crosses and singing in the youth choir. Students were also involved in retreats, assisting in their parishes and there was a wonderful slide-show reminding the students, their parents and teachers of the myriad of activities they had been involved in.