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I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come. - The Joy of the Gospel - Pope Francis |
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Why Cells?
Parish cells are faith groups of 4 to 12 people, who meet every two weeks in the informal setting of a home"
"A cell group provides a place where friendships are formed and faith deepens. It enables people to see the relevance of their faith in all that they do" |
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"The aim of the parish cell group is to foster within a parish a greater community spirit and an awareness of God in a more personal way"
“Meeting in homes, to share joys and difficulties, is a genuine experience of evangelisation that is very like what took place in the early days of the church”
- Pope Francis (5 Sept 2015) |
35th International Seminar June 2025
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35th International Seminar in Rome, will take place from Monday 9th - 10th June 2025. Below is a link to the registration online form and payment details.
The seminar will have – Times of communal prayer. – Daily Mass – Times of sharing and testimonies. Simultaneous translation will be provided into Italian, English, French, Spanish. Please note the paragraph regarding registering for Sunday, June 8th, 2025– Pentecost Feast with Pope Francis at 08:30 a.m. To attend these events, it is necessary to register on the Jubilee’s official website:www.iubilaeum2025.va |
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Come and See/Living Words Responses during SpiritLife25
Church of Holy Rosary, Ballycragh, Dublin 14
Come and See is a series of 6 evenings, which intends to awaken for people a more personal relationship with Christ as Lord and the giver of all life. Hence, for each Monday evening during Lent more than 30 people gathered in the Church of Holy Rosary, Ballycragh, Dublin 14. They came from diverse backgrounds and parishes.
These evenings were hosted by the local cell communities who also provided a warm welcome and hospitality. We heard inspiring speakers and moving personal stories from people who had experienced the transforming influence of God’s Spirit. Music that uplifted and motivated was part of each evening. It all led to great interaction with rich conversation and searching questions.
When people together, in this way, experience God who reveals his love and speaks to their hearts, deep bonds of unity form. This was palpable each evening, and has resulted in a nucleus of people throughout our parishes taking up the challenge of Pope Francis as missionary disciples. A number of people are also likely to participate for their support in one of the parish cell communities.
At the conclusion of the series, we were asked: “can we have more of this type of evenings? ” We had a sense that God is doing a new thing. Praise be his name.
Fr. Michael Hurley/Eugene Smith.
St Jude the Apostle, and Pius X, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
When I started in Parish Cells I realised very quickly that those involved were like a big family who accepted unconditionally anyone who wanted to be part of them. It was a spiritual family which led me to learn how to read the Scriptures and understand my own and other people’s opinions on it. I found a new energy that can only have come from the Holy Spirit, and He pointed me in the direction He wanted me to go and always gave me the tools to do the job.
One of these tools is the Come and See programme which is run for one night a week for six weeks. It is a night of prayer, singing, Scripture reading, teaching, witness, discussion and a social cup of tea. We have just finished our Come and See for Lent. We had a marvellous response with over 50 people attending each evening from both parishes of St Jude and Pius X. People commented on how it has deepened their Faith after reading and discussing the Scriptures. During these six weeks there were many challenges facing me personally and I know that without the Holy Spirit being with me I could not have completed the six weeks. The spirituality that comes with the Parish Cells builds a special unconditional bond between all who attended.
I was asked how can I put such energy into the Cells and Come and See? My answer was a quote from a first century Jewish scholar named Hillel “If not me, then who”. I then posed the question to them “If not you, then who”. Maybe it is time that instead of looking at others and looking for them to lead, as St Teresa of Avila said, “Pray for stronger backs not lighter burdens”, ask the Holy Spirit for a stronger back and then say, “if not me, then who”.
Tommy Hartnett
Leixlip/Confey Parishes
Our parish cells hosted this six-week programme hosted on Wednesday nights from March 12th to April 16th 2025. Each evening had a specific theme presented by a visiting presenter. Themes were as follows:
Each participant received a small booklet entitled “Living Words” which contained a short Scripture passage and reflection for each day of the programme.
Participants were invited to complete a feed-back sheet on the last night .
95% of respondents said the programme was “Very enjoyable” while 90% said they would “Very Likely attend next year”.
Comments from some feedback sheets:
“Excellent programme with variety, very good speakers”
“Like minded Christians meeting together to deepen and strengthen our faith. A time to reflect on the power of prayer in daily life. Opportunity to meet “new” people and develop fellowships”
“The meetings provided a “sacred space” where people could come together to share their faith experience and to have their faith nurtured.”
This programme was greatly blessed. It awakened people to a new Christian and missionary outlook and provided a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.
Bridie Clancy
Come and See is a series of 6 evenings, which intends to awaken for people a more personal relationship with Christ as Lord and the giver of all life. Hence, for each Monday evening during Lent more than 30 people gathered in the Church of Holy Rosary, Ballycragh, Dublin 14. They came from diverse backgrounds and parishes.
These evenings were hosted by the local cell communities who also provided a warm welcome and hospitality. We heard inspiring speakers and moving personal stories from people who had experienced the transforming influence of God’s Spirit. Music that uplifted and motivated was part of each evening. It all led to great interaction with rich conversation and searching questions.
When people together, in this way, experience God who reveals his love and speaks to their hearts, deep bonds of unity form. This was palpable each evening, and has resulted in a nucleus of people throughout our parishes taking up the challenge of Pope Francis as missionary disciples. A number of people are also likely to participate for their support in one of the parish cell communities.
At the conclusion of the series, we were asked: “can we have more of this type of evenings? ” We had a sense that God is doing a new thing. Praise be his name.
Fr. Michael Hurley/Eugene Smith.
St Jude the Apostle, and Pius X, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
When I started in Parish Cells I realised very quickly that those involved were like a big family who accepted unconditionally anyone who wanted to be part of them. It was a spiritual family which led me to learn how to read the Scriptures and understand my own and other people’s opinions on it. I found a new energy that can only have come from the Holy Spirit, and He pointed me in the direction He wanted me to go and always gave me the tools to do the job.
One of these tools is the Come and See programme which is run for one night a week for six weeks. It is a night of prayer, singing, Scripture reading, teaching, witness, discussion and a social cup of tea. We have just finished our Come and See for Lent. We had a marvellous response with over 50 people attending each evening from both parishes of St Jude and Pius X. People commented on how it has deepened their Faith after reading and discussing the Scriptures. During these six weeks there were many challenges facing me personally and I know that without the Holy Spirit being with me I could not have completed the six weeks. The spirituality that comes with the Parish Cells builds a special unconditional bond between all who attended.
I was asked how can I put such energy into the Cells and Come and See? My answer was a quote from a first century Jewish scholar named Hillel “If not me, then who”. I then posed the question to them “If not you, then who”. Maybe it is time that instead of looking at others and looking for them to lead, as St Teresa of Avila said, “Pray for stronger backs not lighter burdens”, ask the Holy Spirit for a stronger back and then say, “if not me, then who”.
Tommy Hartnett
Leixlip/Confey Parishes
Our parish cells hosted this six-week programme hosted on Wednesday nights from March 12th to April 16th 2025. Each evening had a specific theme presented by a visiting presenter. Themes were as follows:
- “God’s longing for us”
- “Why Did Jesus Come”
- “Friendship (Oikos) Evangelisation”
- “My own Story”
- “Renewal of Baptism”
- “Small Christians Communities in Action”
Each participant received a small booklet entitled “Living Words” which contained a short Scripture passage and reflection for each day of the programme.
Participants were invited to complete a feed-back sheet on the last night .
95% of respondents said the programme was “Very enjoyable” while 90% said they would “Very Likely attend next year”.
Comments from some feedback sheets:
“Excellent programme with variety, very good speakers”
“Like minded Christians meeting together to deepen and strengthen our faith. A time to reflect on the power of prayer in daily life. Opportunity to meet “new” people and develop fellowships”
“The meetings provided a “sacred space” where people could come together to share their faith experience and to have their faith nurtured.”
This programme was greatly blessed. It awakened people to a new Christian and missionary outlook and provided a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.
Bridie Clancy
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Click on the image, to request to join the group.
or open your Facebook app and under groups search for Parish Cells Ireland. |
Parish Cells on Radio Maria
Parish Cells were invited to host a The Living World program on Radio Maria over 6 weeks.
Below is the links to each weeks live shows to listen back.
If you prefer to listen all the recordings on Radio Maria's website select here https://www.radiomaria.ie/category/cell-community/
Below is the links to each weeks live shows to listen back.
If you prefer to listen all the recordings on Radio Maria's website select here https://www.radiomaria.ie/category/cell-community/
11th September, 2023 – Fr Michael Hurley, with Ellen, Raoul and Deirdre, members of Cell Communities in Dublin. These small prayer and fellowship groups are committed to evangelisation and meet in the homes of one of their members.
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18th September, 2023 – Fr Michael, with Jo and Matt, who are part of a parish Cell Community, as they discuss that Jesus lives, and that this is the most central truth of our faith.
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25th September, 2023 – Fr Michael, with Ann, Noel and Marion, members of the Cell Communities, as they discuss friendship and how it supports evangelisation.
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2nd October, 2023 – Fr Michael, with Tommy, Phil and Donal, members of Cell Communities as they speak about witnessing to God through their own stories.
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9th October, 2023 – Fr Michael, with Margaret, Ann and Matt, who are part of a parish Cell Community, as they reflect on renewing their Baptism.
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16th October, 2023 – Fr Michael, with Maruska, Eugene and Aileen, members of parish Cell Communities, as they conclude the 6 weeks of reflections, speaking on providence and how God surprises us.
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If you want to know more about Cell Communities, Click here to
Contact Us, We would love to speak with you.
Archbishop R. Fisichella event
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Click to visit Messenger.ie to pre-order these books
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Recent book review of Inspiring Faith Communities and Living Words
Click images on right to read reviews |
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Events Cells have been involved in...
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