Parish Cell Groups

A parish cell is a faith group of 4 to 12 people, who meet every two weeks in the informal setting of a home. Each invites family members, friends and neighbours.

When 12 regularly attend two groups are formed. In this way a great network of groups grow within a parish, which offers a welcome to all. Such a parish can be called a “community of communities.”

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.

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 so that they can make a difference in the varying circumstances of each day.

The system is a Vatican-approved formally recognised entity within the Catholic Church.

1. Song & Praise

Every meeting starts with spontaneous prayer and must be under the guidance of the leader. Prayer and words of praise are better expressed through song, perhaps accompanied by a musical instrument. If the members are not accustomed to singing in a small group, recorded songs familiar to the entire group may be used; or a psalm may be read. The leader may appoint a person to sing. Opening songs lead more easily to prayers of praise. Joy and enthusiasm are more important than fine voices

2. Sharing

At this part of the meeting, members share how God is guiding and directing them in the daily occurrences of their lives. This sharing produces great insights for the sharer, so take heed of what members are saying. It is during sharing that personal difficulties usually surface. It is precisely in such moments, through members’ encouraging responses, that the action of God in their life is revealed to the sharer. This section of the meeting thus offers great gifts.

For this reason, the theme of sharing must focus on two questions :

What has God been doing in my life in the last few days?
How have I brought God to others during the week?

4. Discussion

After the teaching is presented, the leader opens a discussion of the topic. The leader controls the discussion so that it doesn’t go off-track, members’ doubts are cleared, key questions are answered, and everyone gets a fair chance to express their thoughts. The aim is to promote a deeper understanding of the topic and how it applies to personal life. Purely intellectual discussion is sterile and to be avoided. If a related topic comes up, it falls to the leader to decide how to deal with it outside of the meeting.