Why it matters
The experience in their own words
School leaders and students have described Céilí missions as lively, thoughtful and relevant to young people.
OUR SCHOOL STORIES
What Secondary Schools Have Said
Hear directly from the schools who have shared time, learning and community with Céilí.
Real experiences. Shared memories. Lasting connections.VOICES FROM OUR PARTNERS15 SCHOOL STORIES
Abby Community College Boyle Co. Roscommon – March 2014 “The Céilí Community Youth Mission Team planned and worked extremely well with the staff and students at our school. They used the existing RE periods to very profitably proclaim the Gospel in a way that was culturally relative and uplifting to the school community.”
Ms Maria Moynihan
“The Céilí community were in our school, for a week. They spent a lot of time with the first and second years. Their enthusiasm and energy were infectious on all the students and staff. The students did comment on the genuine love for God the team had and their passion for scripture which was clear to see in their sketches and songs. On behalf of Boyne Community School, I would like to thank the Céilí Secondary School Mission Team for coming to our school”.
Aoife Daly (Chaplain)
Colaiste Abbain Adamstown, Co. Wexford – February 2013 “Thank you so much for your wonderful patience and work this week in our Community School. We were truely blessed to have had the opportunity to take time out to reflect on life and the opportunity to have time for prayerful meditation. Your understanding of where young people “are at” contributed greatly to the success of the programme. Keep up the good work”.
Mrs Barbara Kehoe – Religious Dept.
Coláiste Chríost Rí Turner’s Cross. Cork City – March 2020 “We were delighted to have the Céilí Mission Team in our school. We look forward to having them back again”. .
Mr Dáithí Ó hAodha, Vice Principal
Colaiste Cois Siuire, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny – April 2013 “The students were absolutely delighted with the week of mission. This was a very special time for them because of the academic pressure of the year’s end. It was a very upbeat mission which was delivered with enthusiasm and was pitched at the right level for all”.
Mrs Michelle Finnegan – RE Dept. together with some Leaving Class Students
Elphin Community School – October 2013 “The School Retreat was brilliant, and the students loved it. Each Year group had a half day with the Mission Team and the young people particularly enjoyed the involvement in the sketches and songs. The music was lively and caught the attention of the pupils. The Team’s interaction with the students was of a high standard and suitably geared to the particular age group. Many thanks.” “The Team were very passionate about their work and I think these people have a very good outlook on Religion. I found what they said to be very moving.” Principal, R.E. co-ordinator and some pupils Some Student comments: “I really enjoyed the Mission experience. It has encouraged me to pray more” “It is a really nice idea to get everyone up and moving and involved.” “It was very interesting and truly more “alive” than any other Retreat.” “It gave me the idea of going out foreign when I get older, to work in some of the poorest places in the world”
Michael Casey, R. E. Co-ordinator
Gallen Community School, Ferbane, Co. Offaly – September 2013 with Team Members, Gallen Community School. “As part of the Ferbane Parish Mission, a team from Céilí Community, whose focus was on outreach to young people, came into our school during each of the R. E. classes, and worked with our students from the 9th -13th Sept. The team consisted of Fr. John Keane, and two young people, Shirley Mc Clean, and Bernie Farrell. They were a vibrant group whose open, interactive and honest approach to our faith evoked a very positive response from all our students. The team encouraged each student to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who loves each one of us. They gave their own personal testimonies. They told stories, performed dramas from scripture and from life, played music, and answered any questions which arose along the way. Our students enjoyed this experience very much. They said it encouraged them to seek answers to life’s questions in the right way, and in the right places. On behalf of our students and the members of our R.E. department in Gallen Community School I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Céilí Community school team and wish them God’s continued blessing on their work throughout the year.”
Mr. John Irwin (Principal), Mrs. Evelyn Breen (Chaplain)
Grennan College Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny – October 2012 “The college had a wonderful mission week. The Céilí Mission Team provided very good engagement with the students. As well as putting across Christian Faith issues, life skills were also imparted. These have already and will stand our pupils in good stead for years to come. The team mixed and connected positively with all our staff. Well done and thanks to all.”
“Thank you for your time in Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew. The students really enjoyed the talk given to them by the three speakers in school. They particularly enjoyed Father and his life story and his journey towards priesthood. Overall, the students found the team very interesting and thought provoking, they really liked receiving the little crucifix and 6th years were thankful for the blessing that they received also.”
Tom Crehan, Principal, HRC.
Feedback from Jim McKeever, Acting Principal, Little Flower Girl’s Secondary School, Belfast. “An absolutely marvellous mission to our school. From the first moment on Monday until the final session on Friday, all of us, staff, and pupils alike, were delighted with everything the Céilí Team did for us. They gave of their time and their talents to refresh our spirits wonderfully. We asked the pupils for feed-back on Friday and it was overwhelmingly positive. We thank the Céilí Community sincerely”. Jim McKeever,
Principal and two students.
Loreto College Milford Co. Donegal – May 2014 “We were a little apprehensive initially about the mission because a significant number of our students are from other Christian Denominations and none. However, meeting with Msgr Pat and Fr John set our minds at ease and the mission was pitched at an Ecumenical Level which was so advantageous to the school community. Great mission, good fun and positive experience of our Christian faith.”
John Lynch (Chaplain)
Oaklands Community College Edenderry, Co. Offaly – October 2014 “The Céilí Youth Team gave us a very uplifting mission. It was very engaging and reflective. All those students who participated got something from it. Lots of students approached me afterwards, praising the team and telling me what they had learned from the mission”.
Patricia Butler, R. E. Coordinator, Oaklands Community College, Edenderry
Youghal Secondary School Phobail Scoil Na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork – October 2019 The feedback from the students was great. They said “it is faith put across in a different way. The mission was based on life values. It stressed the positives in life and let students know they are valued.”
The RE Department.
St Clare’s Comprehensive School Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim The RE Dept St Clare’s Comprehensive School Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim – September 2012 Thank you so much for your wonderful contribution to our school community. We were truly blessed to have you on our staff and working with our students this week. Graciela, Fr John, Turlough, Nick and Catherine
Graciela, Fr John, Turlough, Nick and Catherine
St. Mary’s Secondary School Edenderry, Co. Offaly – October 2014 We had a wonderful time of mission with the Céilí Community Secondary School Mission Team. The young people responded with great openness and participation. One of the comments from the young people was that the mission didn’t last long enough! As teachers we were amazed at the response to faith-based issues, so much so that some of the teachers themselves requested time with the team.
Anne Barry, Head of R.E.
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