On the 6th February, 22 girls from St. Mary's attended an awards ceremony in Askea Church, Carlow, in orded to receive their Pope John Paul 11 awards. At the ceremony,  Papal Crosses awards were presented to 5 6th year students and 17 5th years students received gold awards. As part of the John Paul 11 awards, the candidates must be involved in parish and community work. To become more involved in the Church, some students trained as Eucharistic ministers and they also partook in many Church events. 

Activities varied throughout the programme from maintaining the school's religion noticeboard to coaching a football team. This voluntary work continued for two hours each week for twenty weeks. The John Paul 11 awards programme was an unforgetable and rewarding experience for all those who were involved. Well done to all recipients.