21st PARISH CELLS INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR:  MILAN 2010
report from Bridie Glancey, Leixslip.

The 21st Parish Cells International Seminar was hosted in San Eustorgio Parish Milan from 26th to 30th May 2010. Approximately 400 delegates from 24 countries attended the five day seminar while a further 200 joined in for specific liturgical events.

The seminar programme commenced each morning at 9 am with Morning Prayer, praise and worship. This was followed by various presentations on how parish cells work, the role of a cell Leader, the importance of Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Spirit as the principle agent in evangelization. Personal testimonies and stories of the growth of parish cells around the world were also shared. Daily mass concelebrated by approximately 80 clergy, a healing service, an instrumental concert and a cell meeting were some of the highlights enjoyed by delegates. Perpetual adoration during the seminar ensured continuous spiritual nourishment.

A group of eight people from Our Lady’s Nativity Parish, Leixlip travelled to the seminar. Being the first time for most of us, we journeyed into the unknown. To our surprise, on arrival at Linate airport we were met by parishioners from San Eustorgio and transported to the Basilica. This was the beginning of the welcome that we experienced throughout our entire stay. We spent five wonderful days in the company of brothers and sisters, from all over the world, who had come to share their love of Jesus, and to learn of the experience of others in sharing that love in their home parishes. Despite being from different parts of the world everyone acted as though we knew each other and made every effort to communicate despite the language barriers. This created a very homely feeling of belonging. On a practical level the organisation was terrific with two three course meals and mid-morning snack provided each day. Overall, we experienced a vibrant, joyful, catholic faith lived with conviction and expressed in various liturgical events and in the hospitality extended both inside and outside of church circles.

Each person had his/her own unique experience. The following quotes give some insight:

“It took me out of the realm of the ordinary, into a new dimension of harmony, leaving me with the challenge of bringing a spiritual aspect to all that I do and to share this with all.”

“The best experience for me was the cell meeting, I felt so at home and comfortable talking and listening to relative strangers about how our faith affects our lives and how we live.”

“I wanted a personal relationship with Christ, the Lord answered my prayer, my life changed, I changed, so I will return to Milan to thank God for all that He has done.”

“There were many highlights – especially the masses, but one in particular when 400 people with outstretched hands and palms turned upright sang in chorus ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Gloria, Gloria’ – a magic moment!.”

“I used think of a cell as a wonderful prayer group, but now I realise it is much more”

“I experienced a living human church, akin to what I read about in the Acts of the Apostles.”

Having left a very demoralised church in Ireland we were inspired, uplifted and enthused. While we acknowledge that the plant needs hard pruning in order to produce new growth we are affirmed that new seeds have already been planted and are growing. Let’s water them! Next year’s seminar May 25th – 29th is already noted in our diaries. Since words cannot adequately describe the experience we encourage you to “…..Come & See…” (John 1: 46)