Mags GarganA group of 130 students from across the Diocese of Cloyne and a neighbouring diocese were presented with a Pope John Paul II Award at a ceremony in Mallow Community Youth Centre. The students came from St Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow; Patrician Academy; Mallow; St Mary’s High School, Midleton; St Colman’s Community College, Midleton; St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill; Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant; Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown and Sacred Heart School, Clonakilty.
The guest speaker was Elma Walsh, mother of the late Donal Walsh, the Kerry teenager who touched the lives of so many people through his battle with cancer and message to live life. The Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation was set up by his family in order to promote his anti-suicide message.
Bishop Crean and Elma Walsh presented 50 young people with the bronze award, six received silver, 67 received gold and seven received the Papal Cross Award.