Trip to Italy

Parish Evangelizing Cells Journey through Italy June 2009

On the morning of Friday, May 29th about 40 of us gathered in Rome on the occasion of the Vatican ' s recognition of the International Service Organism of Parish Evangelizing Cells.

Msgr. Josef Clemens (secretary to Cardinal Rilko) along with Don PiGi Perini of Milan addressed the group and spoke about the origins of Catholic cells as the work of our own Father Michael Eivers of Pembroke Pines, Florida.

As Don PiGi described his first trip to Pembroke Pines, the cells he encountered and the early years in his own parish of S. Eustorgio, he was finding it very difficult to hold back the tears. Many who were present at the ceremony that morning had been with Don PiGi in cells from the very beginning in the late 1980' s. There were clergy and lay present from cells in Sicily, Central Italy, Milan, France, Malta, and of course the US. Today, cells like ours are found on 5 continents and total of about 4,300 worldwide. These are all Father Michael's cells.

The Pontifical Council held a beautiful reception for the group, complete with champagne, and as you can imagine the mood was one of great joy.  In true S. Eustorgio fashion, we gave praise and thanksgiving before the ceremony and ended the occasion with Mass at the nearby church of Santa Maria- with arms raised, praying in tongues and a familiar song in English, "Shine Through Me".

The journey continued in Milan for the 20^th International Parish Evangelizing Cell seminar.  This year’s theme was from Mk 16:15, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to all people.”  In the marvelous Basilica of Sant’ Eustorgio, we began with a very spirit-filled Mass officiated by Cardinal DiGiorgio from Palermo.  During the week, we celebrated the 20^th year of the Cell seminar with a healing ceremony for Priests and Laity, a Cell Rally, the ‘Concerto’ with the choir and marvelous orchestra, and the final Sunday closing mass which ended in a community luncheon attended by over 500.

This seminar was the most highly attended in their history with almost 400 participants including 66 Priests from 28 countries.  We had some familiar faces from around Italy, Canada, France, Malta, Austria and Ireland but we also had some new participants from China, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Switzerland, Peru, Columbia, Guatemala and even new faces from New Jersey. 

Every year we are asked to give a report on the status of our Parish cells.  In our yearly reporting, you could feel a very strong presence of the Holy Spirit fill the room as you looked out into the Basilica and saw the faces of all who came to learn more about Parish Evangelizing Cells.  It was an extremely powerful testimony to know that the vision and openness of one faithful servant, our own Fr. Michael, through the work of the Holy Spirit had prompted this miracle.  We must all learn from his example!  Thank you Father for your faithfulness and your gift to us!

We have a treasure in the United States that we are able to worship freely in our Parishes.  We heard testimonies from Fr. Ignacio, a Chinese Priest who brought 32 participants, was arrested many times for sharing the faith in his underground community.  His communications are intercepted and he is punished.  The group from Africa, in Uganda and Congo only receive Mass and the Eucharist once a month since one Priest is responsible for 10-12 parishes or small communities.  The stories are endless.

We should thank the Lord for the miracle we share in the U.S. but most importantly, we must show the Lord our appreciation by our commitment to evangelize at every opportunity - - we must be relentless.  Let us say YES to the Lord each time he calls us to be his servants.

So, as they say in Rome:

Viva il Padre Michael, Viva le cellule!  Long live Father Mike! Long live cells!