Bishop's Award

Bishop's Award

The Bishop's Award was first conferred in 2014. Bishop Bill sought to recognise the good works of students and young people across our diocese who were actively involved in their parish communities.

The award seeks to affirm their efforts and encourage them to continue to seek out opportunities to share the Good News and encourage others to do the same. The Bishop's Award is an opportunity for our parish communities and our diocese to promote and support students and young people and to acknowledge their commitment to their faith.

Father Greg Barker
DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR, DIOCESE OF MAITLAND - NEWCASTLE

 

The Bishop’s Award seeks to publicly recognise the efforts of students and young people within our Diocese who have contributed to the community through their parish of Faith, Church group or Church agency such as Caritas, Youth Ministries, St Vincent de Paul, Mini Vinnies or similar church groups. This also includes contributions made within parishes e.g. Liturgy.

This recognition serves as a means of acknowledging and encouraging the continued efforts of these and other young people.

The Bishop’s Award is open to students in Years 7–12 as well as young people 25 years of age or younger who are members of a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

The Bishop’s Award comprises four categories:

  • Students in Year 7 & 8
  • Students in Year 9 & 10
  • Students in Year 11 & 12
  • Young People 25 years of age or younger.

Applicants must live within the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and belong to a community within this Diocese.

Each successful applicant will receive an award of $1,000, which may contribute to the student’s or young person’s education or faith formation by assisting them to attend events such as World Youth Day, Diocesan Youth Retreat or a music ministry. Each successful applicant will also receive a Certificate of Recognition.

 

What do I need to do?

Students and young people must be nominated by a member of their parish community, school community, family or agency. The nominator must seek the consent of the parent(s) if the student is under 18 years of age and the consent of the student/young person (if they are over 18) prior to nominating.

All applicants will need to complete the application form and to provide the following information:

  • current contact details
  • (most recent) school name / academic institution and current year of enrolment
  • name of parish community
  • evidence of involvement in and notable contributions to his/her school, parish and broader community through his/her continued good works
  • parental consent to apply for the Bishop’s Award if under 18 years of age

They will also need to seek the support of their Parish Priest/Leaders and include them as a referee in their application. Each applicant will need to sign a Diocesan Image Release form.

Should an applicant’s nomination be successful, he/she may be expected to participate in the promotion of Bishop’s Award activities for the following year. If successful the applicant will need to sign an Image Release form.

 

What happens next?

The student/young person or their nominator will need to submit the completed Bishop’s Award Application form via email to bishopsaward@mn.catholic.edu.au by the closing date: 2 December 2022.

Applicants can also apply online via the link at the bottom of this page.

All applicants are required to inform and seek the support of either their Parish Priest, Deacon or Parish Leader as well as their School Principal or Assistant Principal, if applicable. Applicants should also seek the support of their parish community, and ask leaders of the organisations with which they are involved to act as referees.

Late applications will not be accepted.

 

Review and Selection

The Bishop’s Award Selection Panel will review the applications. The Selection Panel will be made up of a member of the Clergy, the Chair of the Federation of Parents & Friends Associations (or the delegated representative), an Assistant Director from the Catholic Schools Office (CSO), Chair of the Diocesan Council of Ministry with Young People (DCMYP) (or the delegated representative) and the Director – Pastoral Ministries (or the delegated representative).

Members of the Panel will disclose any conflict of interest and excuse themselves from the committee should a family member or relative apply for the Bishop’s Award. Parish Priests are also ineligible to be a member of the Selection Panel should they be an applicant’s referee.

A representative from the Bishop’s Award Working Party will be responsible for verifying applications that might be successful by contacting nominated referees. This in no way is an indication of the likely success or otherwise of the application. In making its recommendations, the Selection Panel will forward applications and
recommendations to the Diocesan for his consideration and ratification.

A representative of the Bishop’s Award Working Party will write to each applicant advising them of the outcome of their application.

Nominees will be recognised and successful applicants presented with their awards at a time chosen by the Diocesan Administrator. Those students who are selected to receive a Bishop’s Award will receive their prizes as well as a Certificate of Recognition.

The decision of the Diocesan Administrator is final.