Leixlip & Confey Parish Cells of Evangelization

Having cell meetings in our house has brought us many blessings, not least of which is a greater awareness of the presence of God in our daily lives, and the courage to speak about Him to others.

The liturgy of the mass became more meaningful, Adoration more intimate and parish activities became more central to how we plan our week.

Cell meetings are many things rolled into one dynamic and expanding whole:

- occasions of prayer and song in praising God.

- a time of listening to teachings on the scriptures.

- a time of thanksgiving for blessings received.

- a time of intercession for ourselves and others.

- a time of sharing our evangelizing experiences.

- an opportunity to share the Good News and our faith in Jesus.

The first time that I went to a parish cell meeting I was not very impressed. Here I saw a group of people I perceived to be gathered in their comfort zone. This was not what I was searching for and not what I wanted. God had a different plan. Nearly 6 years later I am still a member of Leixlip parish cells. Through parish cells I developed a relationship with Jesus, that is, personal and intimate, and at the same time, it is a relationship with Him, in communion with my fellow parishioners and the Church. Cells has taught me that the love that Jesus has shown to me and the blessings that he has given me are not mine to keep, but are to be shared with others, so that they too might come to know Him and the love that He has for all of us. I don’t find this an easy task. But, with God’s grace, it is getting easier. Participation in cells has, through prayer and the scriptures , enabled me to speak with more confidence about my faith in Jesus, and to share with others my experiences of God’s healing in my life. It is through the telling of our personal experiences and the way that we live our lives, that we can have the greatest influence on those that we meet in our daily lives. The emphasis in parish cells is that we evangelize through sharing our personal experiences as we meet people during the course of each day. In other words, we do not go out to evangelize, but try to evangelize as we go. Dan Kelly

My journey with cells, began with an invitation after one of the Come and See programs in our Parish Centre in Leixlip, to come to one of the homes, to a cell meeting, a few years ago now.

I guess at that time , I was living life in a fast lane, like many of us do, and I must say I found being there in this cell , a wonderful opportunity , to take some time out for myself, to reflect, just to BE, and not feel I had to say or do anything.

As time went on I found myself placing greater trust in the Lord.

As I now understand it, the Holy Spirit was coming into my life, and I was allowing time to develop my Spiritual growth, and guess what, I was enjoying this new found growth.

Today while I still have the usual challenges that one encounters in the journey of life, I value the quiet , sacred space and time that the cells afford.

I also realize that I am not the Executive Manager of the Universe, and I am still learning each day to hand over and let God help.

In November 2003 I stumbled across two books written by Fr. Michael Hurley -'Transforming your Parish' - Building a Faith Community, and 'Transforming your Life'. One of these books outlines a five week programme entitled 'Come & See' and explains the Parish Cell System of Evangelization. The other one is a handbook which accompanies the 'Come & See' program and can also be used as a personal prayer resource.

These two books were, for me, a revelation. Catholic Parish Cells (small home faith groups) had been active in Ireland since 1990 and were interlinked to cell groups all around the world.

This was something I had wished to be part of during the previous twenty five years.

I grew up in a strong catholic community in Co. Leitrim. Neighbours got together on a very regular basis to rejoice in good times and to support each other in sadness. There was a great sense of caring for each other. We were all part of a bigger family and this was affirmed by the prayer and example of the adults.
Because of distance and lack of transport it was not always possible to attend church services but this did not weaken the faith that was witnessed through the example of peoples' daily lives.

This was the type of environment I rediscovered through Parish Cells. The story of salvation was once again brought alive in homes, opportunities opened up to carry it on through daily living.

I became part of a living church. Thomas and I have hosted a cell meeting in our home since July 2004. Initially it was daunting, maybe even frightening to consider opening our home to strangers. In the firm belief that a 'stranger is a friend we do not know' and that the Lord has promised "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among you". (Matt. 18:20), we embarked on the wonderful journey of cell. Now six years on, and still at the embryonic stage we have received blessings too numerous to mention and have enjoyed it beyond our expectations.

On a personal note, I have learned that God, through Jesus, is always by my side. My faith is moving from a link with an institution to a link with the word of God. Through cells I am beginning to use scripture as a prayer resource simply by looking for Jesus on every page and trying to hear what He is saying to me.

During the past six years when I have been faced with some very difficult situations I didn't need to sit in a church alone, I texted or emailed my cell friends for prayer support with the expectation of the Lord's promise - "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19-20).

While listening to stories and testimonies from others I came to know that the words 'Our Father' are a relationship, not a title.

This experience has helped me to realise that I need to do my best in any given situation and then hand the rest over to God as He has promised "Ask, and you will receive"(Matt. 7:7) For me, this means less stress, less worry, and a reason to live joyfully as encouraged by the Lord's promise".I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness"(John 10:10)

I believe that words cannot describe the Spirit awakened by participation in cell groups. I have tried to explain something of what it means to me.

If you would like to know what it could mean for you I invite you to "Come and See"(John 1: 46)

"I find great peace in my life after my time with my prayerful friends and I wish that everyone could have the opportunity to listen to Fr. Michael's teaching, so that their faith could be reaffirmed and enriched"

My name is Maura Duggan and I am from Celbridge.
I am a member of the Parish Pastoral Council here in Celbridge.

I met Bridie Clancy at an area meeting of Parish Pastoral Councils about 3 years ago and Bridie told me about the Cell prayer groups in Leixslip.
I had seen some adverts in the Church newsletters and it sounded interesting. Through talking to Bridie I mentioned that I really could only attend morning meetings due to having young kids and being involved in another Parish group in the evenings.

Sometime later Bridie and I met again and got to talk about the Cell prayer meetings and she mentioned the morning Cell group that had recently started in Leixslip. So I got Mary the leader of that groups telephone number and decided to start going to the group each fortnight, just to try it out initially. I liked the small group and the friendly athmosphere. Mary is a great hostess and very down to earth, which appealed to me. I rarely missed a meeting with Mary and the group.

I always felt uplifted after the prayer meeting, as if I had shared out my burden and also reached out to the other members in friendship and Christian unity. Sharing became easier as the months went on and trust grew with the team. Everyone was a valuable member, and we prayed for each others intentions during the weeks. I really liked the simple approach of the Cell, no great theology needed, human stories shared both from the bible and from our person lives.

Then as time went on I felt I could lead a wee group myself in Celbridge but left it to God to decide the right timing. During that time my Dad passed away so I missed a few meetings and then Summer holidays also came so when Autumn came last year my group started. It was hard to leave Mary's group as I felt very at home and relaxed there. I did however feel as time went on that more people I knew would enjoy and benefit from the Cell so I invited 12 ladies that I knew in Straffan and Celbridge and between 5 and 12 have been coming regularly to the meeting each fortnight.

It was a little challenging at first being a leader but now I'm ok with it and the others all share the talking and sharing which for the first few meetings can be slow. Bridie came to one of our early meetings and really enjoyed it! We meet on a Wed. morning and so far its all ladies but all are welcome. I feel the Holy Spirit brings those who are meant to be there.

Our group is relatively new but has lots of potential to grow and further multiply in the future. I would really like to reach out to young and middle aged people in their 20's, 30's and 40's who I know would like this simple but Christian approach to prayer (of course age is only in the mind, so all are welcome.) My 90 year old mum is the best example of being young at heart and faith.

The Cell groups are like mini families where we accept and look after each other.