What is Alpha for Catholics?

Alpha for Catholics is an effective and affordable means of evangelization. Answering the call of John Paul II to evangelize those outside the faith and re-evangelize those in our churches, Alpha for Catholics is a practical introduction to the Christian faith over a 10 week course. Unique in its adult learning approach, Alpha meets participants where they are, starting with their questions.

Designed for non-church goers and new Christians, Alpha creates an environment of hospitality allowing people to explore the claims of Jesus Christ in our post-modern culture, and encounter the love of God in a personal relationship through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, to core of evangelization.

Alpha also serves as a refresher course for both practicing Catholics and those on the fringes of their faith. Alpha for Catholics offers people an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, the living Lord through one of the most effective means of evangelization today.

Alpha is an effective means of evangelization, a presentation of the initial core message of the Gospel, ‘the kerygma’. It is wholly compatible with Catholic teaching, its name is most appropriate as it is the beginning of faith. Once the foundation who is Jesus is laid, a range of follow on material is available to address specific Catholic teachings and ecclesiology. Alpha for Catholics is a wonderful tool at the stage of inquiry for those seeking the RCIA process.

 

Not a substitute for catechetical programs, Alpha works best as part of an ongoing process of evangelization and catechesis within a parish.

Alpha for Catholics is running in over 60 countries worldwide. Alpha is running globally in over 169 countries and in over 100 languages.

The Alpha course from Holy Trinity Brompton Anglican Church of London is a course intended to share the basic Gospel message with non-Christians. It is also very helpful for new Christians to grow in their faith, and many life-long Christians say it has renewed their faith or challenged them in new ways.

Still others say that it is the best evangelization training they have offered for their church members because it works and it is learned by doing when they serve on their Alpha team.

The course involves ten weekly gatherings with:

• a dinner
  
•  DVD (or live) presentation
• small group discussion
• a weekend overnight event.
  

The Alpha course shares the essentials of the Christian faith in a non-threatening way. As it has spread across the world among various denominations, it has become very popular in the Catholic Church. The course is the same wherever it is run, but it takes on the flavor of the hosting church and for Catholics it is best described as “Alpha for Catholics” In practice this means that the small group experiences will often include discussions about Catholic beliefs and practices.

 

 "The Person who has been evangelized goes on to evangelize others."

Pope Paul VI - Evangelii Nuntiandi