What is Ceili Community?
We are a task orientated community joining ourselves
to each other in order to evangelise more
effectively. Our community life reflects both the
call of Vatican II for priests, religious and lay
people to minister together and the charism of
evangelisation.
The Community tries to bring together traditional Catholic spirituality and the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit which many people experience today. Whilst recognising other Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ, Céilí Community is necessarily and distinctly Catholic.
The community has Episcopal approval and is lead by Msgr. Pat Lynch.
Mission Statement
We are a Spirit-led organic fellowship drawn together by God to evangelise. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and to equip others for this task of evangelization. In order to be a sign of hope and give an authentic witness we are committed to living the Gospel in ways relevant to the needs of today.
The Community tries to bring together traditional Catholic spirituality and the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit which many people experience today. Whilst recognising other Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ, Céilí Community is necessarily and distinctly Catholic.
The community has Episcopal approval and is lead by Msgr. Pat Lynch.
Mission Statement
We are a Spirit-led organic fellowship drawn together by God to evangelise. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and to equip others for this task of evangelization. In order to be a sign of hope and give an authentic witness we are committed to living the Gospel in ways relevant to the needs of today.
Why does Céilí exist?
We believe we represent a response to the Church’s
call to spread the “Good News” issued through Vatican
II (Ad Gentes) and Pope Paul VI’s document "Evangelii
Nuntiandi" (Evangelisation in the Modern World).
In the same way we hope we are also answering Pope John Paul II's call to evangelise in his Encyclical "Redemptoris Missio" (The Mission of the Redeemer).
Mission work has always been central to the Catholic Church but we in Ireland sometimes saw our responsibilities in terms of overseas activities. Quite rightly, we poured money, resources and personnel into these "Mission Fields". However, it could now quite reasonably be said that we ourselves are in need of re-evangelisation.
Our hope therefore, is that every day we are conscious of our privilege and duty to announce Jesus Christ to all people, by what we say, what we do, the lives we lead and even the kind of people we are.
In the same way we hope we are also answering Pope John Paul II's call to evangelise in his Encyclical "Redemptoris Missio" (The Mission of the Redeemer).
Mission work has always been central to the Catholic Church but we in Ireland sometimes saw our responsibilities in terms of overseas activities. Quite rightly, we poured money, resources and personnel into these "Mission Fields". However, it could now quite reasonably be said that we ourselves are in need of re-evangelisation.
Our hope therefore, is that every day we are conscious of our privilege and duty to announce Jesus Christ to all people, by what we say, what we do, the lives we lead and even the kind of people we are.
How is Céilí funded?
We need your help to continue doing missions. Please
give whatever you can to support our work. Please
also keep us in your prayers. If you can please
consider downloading our standing order form.
What is the history of Ceili Community?
The Céilí Community is the Irish Branch of the Sion
Catholic Community based at Brentwood in Essex,
England.
The Sion Community was founded in 1984 by Msgr. Pat Lynch from Buncrana, Co. Donegal. Msgr. Pat was ordained in 1975 and always felt the call to set up a Community whose specific task would be that of direct evangelisation.
After obtaining the necessary Episcopal approval, Msgr. Pat moved to the Community House at Knock, Co. Mayo in February 2000. Céilí subsequently moved temporarily to Buncrana, Co Donegal. Ceili presently resides at their community house in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
The Sion Community was founded in 1984 by Msgr. Pat Lynch from Buncrana, Co. Donegal. Msgr. Pat was ordained in 1975 and always felt the call to set up a Community whose specific task would be that of direct evangelisation.
After obtaining the necessary Episcopal approval, Msgr. Pat moved to the Community House at Knock, Co. Mayo in February 2000. Céilí subsequently moved temporarily to Buncrana, Co Donegal. Ceili presently resides at their community house in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
How did we get our name?
We firmly believe that in these days of uncertainty
and so called virtual reality, we should go back to
our own roots of Christianity in Ireland. So,
conscious of the unique heritage bequeathed to us by
our national Apostle, St. Patrick, we called our
Community Céilí Naomh Phádraig (Companions of St.
Patrick) or in short Céilí Community.
We find that an awareness of the quality of soil in which St. Patrick planted the seed of God’s Word helps us appreciate the importance of the Christian faith in our country and gives us all a better understanding of the unprecedented harvest which he reaped in the teeth of enormous difficulties.
We find that an awareness of the quality of soil in which St. Patrick planted the seed of God’s Word helps us appreciate the importance of the Christian faith in our country and gives us all a better understanding of the unprecedented harvest which he reaped in the teeth of enormous difficulties.
Is it Catholic to evangelise?
The word at the heart of this vision of the Church,
"evangelisation," has often been misunderstood. Not
so long ago, it was not considered a Catholic word,
and had overtones of fundamentalism.
We Catholics were more at home with "convert." Now though we can see that we are not merely converting someone to the Church but primarily bringing them into a relationship with Jesus.
Indeed, the word "evangelisation" simply means to announce the Good News - of Jesus. This is achieved through a way of life that is surrendered to God so that once a person has accepted the message of the Good News it cannot be contained within, but it must overflow to all those around them.
We Catholics were more at home with "convert." Now though we can see that we are not merely converting someone to the Church but primarily bringing them into a relationship with Jesus.
Indeed, the word "evangelisation" simply means to announce the Good News - of Jesus. This is achieved through a way of life that is surrendered to God so that once a person has accepted the message of the Good News it cannot be contained within, but it must overflow to all those around them.
What does Ceili Community Do?
The Céilí Community tries to marry two important
facets of the life of the Catholic Church:-
To open doors so that priests, religious and lay people can work together in full-time ministry helping renew the life of the Church at grass roots and equipping people for the task of evangelisation.
To bring people, individually and as communities, into a deep personal relationship of trust with God and with each other - evangelisation.
Céilí Community is actively doing mission work in Ireland.
To open doors so that priests, religious and lay people can work together in full-time ministry helping renew the life of the Church at grass roots and equipping people for the task of evangelisation.
To bring people, individually and as communities, into a deep personal relationship of trust with God and with each other - evangelisation.
Céilí Community is actively doing mission work in Ireland.
- Parish Missions.
- Primary School Missions and Confirmation Retreats.
- Youth Outreach and Secondary School Missions.
- Teaching and Training in Evangelisation.
- Leadership Training.
- Retreat and Conference Work.
- Outreach to Priests.
What is the role of lay people in Ceili?
We are all called to evangelise!
As we engage in the great task of evangelisation, we must continually remind ourselves that it is a duty that belongs to the whole Church and not just a matter of leaving it to our priests or a few individuals who “like this kind of thing”.
There is then a great challenge to convince all believers that they are called to witness to their faith.
The work that Jesus began is now continued through his whole body, so that every aspect of the Church's life serves this one purpose, to make Jesus known - to EVANGELISE.
As we engage in the great task of evangelisation, we must continually remind ourselves that it is a duty that belongs to the whole Church and not just a matter of leaving it to our priests or a few individuals who “like this kind of thing”.
There is then a great challenge to convince all believers that they are called to witness to their faith.
The work that Jesus began is now continued through his whole body, so that every aspect of the Church's life serves this one purpose, to make Jesus known - to EVANGELISE.
Can I join?
We Need Your Help!!!
Would you like to get involved or even just find out a little bit more? If you are a Priest, Religious, or Lay person with a strong desire to evangelise and are searching for or thinking about joining a Community, long or short term please contact us!
You must have a desire to work in Mission; we work full-time to achieve this end.
Experience in mission work is desirable but not essential - we will equip you for the work and community life. Some of us have studied theology, others have not - we only ask that you be teachable.
We try to use our God given gifts and talents and bring out the best in these - new members bring new opportunities and potential to our work.
Our Community
Our full-time members make a formal commitment.
You can work with us for a period of time before making a commitment.
Although we have a normal Community House you can still live in your own home.
Every member is accountable.
We have a structured prayer life.
You will have sufficient time off - this is considered essential.
Our Work
You must have a desire to work in Mission; we work full-time to achieve this end.
Experience in mission work is desirable but not essential - we will equip you for the work and community life.
Some of us have studied theology, others have not - we only ask that you be teachable.
We try to use our God given gifts and talents and bring out the best in these - new members bring new opportunities and potential to our work.
To encourage and foster growth, the Céilí Community urgently needs:-
For Parish Missions
* Priests to proclaim and minister
* committed lay Catholics to be trained as Parish Visitors
* a Religious/Lay person to train, co-ordinate and equip parish visitors.
* a musician to enhance liturgy.
For Primary School Missions
* A team of committed enthusiastic young people to engage in mime, drama and sign language with the ability to instruct and pray with children.
* Musicians to lead the celebrations.
For Youth Work
* A person to pioneer and lead our youth outreach.
* Drama and Musician people to lead liturgies.
* Committed Team Members.
Do you have the skills, enthusiasm and time to do any of these jobs and help build up the Church in this way?
Would you like to get involved or even just find out a little bit more?
If you are a Priest, Religious, or Lay person with a strong desire to evangelise and are searching for or thinking about joining a Community, long or short term please contact us!
Would you like to get involved or even just find out a little bit more? If you are a Priest, Religious, or Lay person with a strong desire to evangelise and are searching for or thinking about joining a Community, long or short term please contact us!
You must have a desire to work in Mission; we work full-time to achieve this end.
Experience in mission work is desirable but not essential - we will equip you for the work and community life. Some of us have studied theology, others have not - we only ask that you be teachable.
We try to use our God given gifts and talents and bring out the best in these - new members bring new opportunities and potential to our work.
Our Community
Our full-time members make a formal commitment.
You can work with us for a period of time before making a commitment.
Although we have a normal Community House you can still live in your own home.
Every member is accountable.
We have a structured prayer life.
You will have sufficient time off - this is considered essential.
Our Work
You must have a desire to work in Mission; we work full-time to achieve this end.
Experience in mission work is desirable but not essential - we will equip you for the work and community life.
Some of us have studied theology, others have not - we only ask that you be teachable.
We try to use our God given gifts and talents and bring out the best in these - new members bring new opportunities and potential to our work.
To encourage and foster growth, the Céilí Community urgently needs:-
For Parish Missions
* Priests to proclaim and minister
* committed lay Catholics to be trained as Parish Visitors
* a Religious/Lay person to train, co-ordinate and equip parish visitors.
* a musician to enhance liturgy.
For Primary School Missions
* A team of committed enthusiastic young people to engage in mime, drama and sign language with the ability to instruct and pray with children.
* Musicians to lead the celebrations.
For Youth Work
* A person to pioneer and lead our youth outreach.
* Drama and Musician people to lead liturgies.
* Committed Team Members.
Do you have the skills, enthusiasm and time to do any of these jobs and help build up the Church in this way?
Would you like to get involved or even just find out a little bit more?
If you are a Priest, Religious, or Lay person with a strong desire to evangelise and are searching for or thinking about joining a Community, long or short term please contact us!