Last Friday, a student from Clongowes Wood College became the first student from the school to receive the Pope John Paul II Award. Moreover, Aaron Doyle received the highest award – the Gold Award, which was presented to him in the Seven Oaks Hotel by the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
The Awards ceremony was attended by Aaron’s proud parents, Monica and James and also by Ms. Aisling English, the Award Leader in C.W.C. and Mr. Martin Wallace. The evening was opened by Monsignor Brendan Byrne who praised all the young people present for their commitment to their faith and their courage in the face of a secular society.
The special guest who gave the awards, was RTÉ’s Brenda Donoghue. She admitted to being genuinely bowled over with the young people that she met, hearing all their stories about their Social Involvement in their communities and in their activities within the various churches of their Parishes.
Aaron completed his award with remarkable ease. His Social Involvement included his work here in C.W.C. with Br. Charlie Connor’s S.R.P.A. visits to the elderly and also with his work in Social Outreach and TEFL. During the year, Aaron has always been enthusiastic about his Parish Involvement, always available to sing with the schola cantorum and sharing the gift of his voice with other students, with staff, with parents and with the Jesuit Community. His contribution to mass has, and continues to enrich the Clongowes experience of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Last Friday 25th, was a suitable, celebratory occasion in which Aaron’s work was recognised. This year he is proceeding to the next and highest level of the Award – the Papal Cross Award, which can only be achieved once the Gold Award has first been awarded. We wish him well with his activities and we send a huge congratulations to him and to his family for representing the Ethos of Clongowes so well in his achievement.
