I join Clare in welcoming you all there today for the presentation of the Pope John Paul II awards. This is a historic occasion in our diocese – the first time we have presented these awards. I welcome all the young people who will be receiving awards shortly, your parents and friends, your priests and others who have accompanied you on this journey. I welcome members of the Knights of St Columbanus who have sponsored these awards: the Supreme Knight, Mr Bernard Burns, the Provincial Grand Knight, Mr Charles Shalvey and the local Grand Knight, Mr Owen Keogh. I welcome Mr Neil Doherty, also a member of the Knights of St Columbanus who will speak to you shortly.

First of all I want to compliment and congratulate all the young people receiving the Pope John Paul II award here today. Each one of you has made a commitment to carry out voluntary work in your parish or school or community, and you have delivered on that commitment. You have put in time and effort into practical projects in the service of other people or of the wider community or parish.

Fifty two years ago when John F Kennedy became the first Catholic President of the United States he gave a very powerful inauguration speech. It was powerful because it appealed to the idealism of Americans, and especially of young Americans. He famously said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” That echoes an important saying of Jesus – one of the few we have that was not recorded in the gospels. It is found in a speech of St Paul in the Acts of the Apostles where he tells his listeners: “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is better to give than to receive”.

Through your involvement in the Pope John Paul II Award you have asked what you could do for your parish or community and you have gone out and done it. I hope that in doing that you have experienced for yourself the truth of Jesus’ words: it is better to give than to receive. I hope this experience of voluntary work will be the beginning of a life-long habit  – a habit of service, of helping others, of contributing to your parishes and communities. I hope you found the experience of doing the award worthwhile and that it has convinced you that generosity and service are their own reward. So, once again, congratulations, and thank you for your generosity and service.

I want to pay tribute here to the generosity and the initiative of the Knights of St Columbanus in funding and promoting this initiative. Without your help it simply would not have been possible. It is only one of the many valuable initiatives undertaken by your association in the service of the Church and the Gospel. I thank you very sincerely for the funding you have provided and the practical interest and support you have shown all along the way.

I wish to thank also all the leaders, teachers, priests and parish personnel who mentored these young people and guided them in carrying out the work they undertook. Your contribution was also crucial to the success of the project.

Finally, I want to thank Clare Coyle, our Diocesan Youth Worker, for taking on this project enthusiastically and carrying it through every effectively. It is not easy to get a new initiative off the ground but your hard work and your commitment have ensured that it has got off to a very good start and we look forward to even greater participation in the awards in the years ahead.