National Seminar, Leixlip
12th - 13th Oct 2019 

The National Seminar was held in Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip, Co. Kildare, hosted by the Parish cells in Leixlip/Confey.

Main Speakers:

    Bishop Fintan Monahan - Bishop of Killaloe

  Joanne Hession - Founder and CEO of LIFT Ireland

Reflection from the organising committee on the Seminar
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Leixlip Parish hosted the Parish Cells National Seminar on 12th /13th October last. Delegates from all around the country attended the event as well as local parishioners.
It was a most inspiring week/end and included prayer times, adoration, celebration of the Eucharist and presentations by visiting speakers.
The theme for the seminar was “The Good News Story” .
Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe gave an insightful talk on the value of small faith groups and based his input on Pope Francis exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel” Joanne Hession, C.E.O. of L.I.F.T. Ireland gave a presentation on  leading by example and stressed the importance of integrity, honesty, truth, empathy as desirable qualities in leadership. According to Joanne everybody is a leader and it starts at the kitchen table.
A number of priests shared how participation in parish cell groups helped to shape their ministry and continues to support them.
Eucharistic Adoration was led by Deacon Noel Ryan from Ballinteer.
Bishop Raymond Field was the main celebrant at the con-celebrated mass on Saturday evening. He was joined by Fr. Gregory O’Brien, PP Leixlip, Fr. Michael Hurley, Spiritual Director  of Parish Cells in Ireland and Fr. Locky Flanagan, Kimmage Manor.
On Sunday morning Cell participants from around the country told their good news stories of the growth of parish cell groups in their area. Leixlip was represented by Kate Cavanagh  who shared the good news of the Family Cell group she attends in Our Lady’s Parish Centre.
Fr. Karl Fortune celebrated the family mass on Sunday and this was followed by lunch in the Parish Centre.
Delegates dispersed after a time of celebration of the Good News of our faith. People shared that they had been energised and renewed in faith, felt an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and to use Bishop Fintan’s words “Had sharpened the axe.”
For  information on Parish Cells Email: [email protected] or log on to www.parishcellsireland.ie or phone Bridie 086.3807917 or Donal 087.9277971