SALT LAKE CITY — Overcoming prejudice and promoting tolerance were among the goals for a monthlong program involving 18 teenagers in Utah, part of an international effort known as the Ulster Project.
Every year in June, groups of teens come from Northern Ireland to the United States, where they pair up with families and American teens between the ages of 14 and 16. Participants come from six Irish cities and nine American states. This year, Utah hosted teens from Omagh, Ireland. The Ulster Project has been active since 1975, Utah has participated in the project since 1985.
“The Northern Irish and American teens get to know each other, and as the month goes on, they participate in all kinds of different activities, strengthening their bonds,” the project web page states.
“The original guidelines for the Project focused on the prejudices and stereotypes which were the root cause of the bitter strife labeled Catholic/Protestant in Northern Ireland,” the website continues. “Today, the Project guidelines continue to focus on breaking down prejudices and stereotypes, including those based on race, religion and ethnicity by providing teens that demonstrate leadership potential with the tools to promote tolerance and respect across the lines that divide us and creating unity amidst diversity.”
Among the host families in Utah were the Petts. Oona Pett, mother of a 15-year-old Judge Memorial Catholic High School student, participated in the project years ago, and “It’s a great bridge between Catholic and Protestants,” she said, adding that it opens the mind “of the (teenage) participants and of the families that welcome them, as well as the community as a whole, with all the service projects that they do.”
While in Utah, the Ulster Project participants held car washes, picnics and dances, and attended Masses and other religious services. In addition, they celebrated a U2-themed musical project at St. James Episcopal Church in Midvale, and offered a talent show and fundraiser dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Holladay. 
“Every community is different; whenever you bring communities together it creates a bond,” said Bronagh McVerry, one of the Irish teenagers participating in the project. She added that she was proud of herself for taking the opportunity to live the experience, and grateful for it because it “has really made me come out of my shell. This project has been so helpful. I have made so many friends.” 
The project “builds your confidence,” she said. “You are out of your bubble and that encourages you to be brave and discover things that you don’t know about yourself … and also brings communities together.”
During the project’s closing ceremony on July 21 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, each participant was presented with a certificate from Bishop Oscar A. Solis that recognized the service that they provided to the communities in Utah.
The certificate read: “In dedication to increasing cooperation and peace between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and for volunteering over 50 hours of community service to the Diocese of Salt Lake City and to the greater Salt Lake City Valley’s outreach programs for the disabled, elderly, mentally challenged, poor, and homeless communities while participating in the Ulster Project. Thank you for your kindness, openness, and generosity.”
Michael Edwards, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adults, presented the certificates. Edwards is also an Ulster Project Utah board member.
“Our bishop wanted to make sure that you were recognized,” Edwards told the participants as he called them forward one by one to give them their certificate.