Exciting news: our parish is running the Alpha Course again this year. We’re using Alpha as a tool for Evangelisation to help open the door for people to a personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit and we would love you to join us on this journey. Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explores the basics of the Christian faith.

 

Every Alpha session has three key elements: food, film and discussion; it’s about sharing God’s love through friendship. We think that the best way to generate   interest in Alpha is to share the fruits of the program from two of our participants from last year’s course:

 

“As a new parishioner, when the Alpha program was first mentioned I thought, among other things, that it would be a good way of meeting new people in the parish. I was also feeling the need to deepen my faith. As the weeks went by, I enjoyed the fellowship of lovely meals at the beginning of each meeting and was moved to tears by the stories of various people in the videos whose lives turned around because of Alpha.  I was, however, the testaments of my fellow participants and leadership team that touched my heart the most.  I realised that I needed an update of my spiritual life and now experience a joy attending Mass that I have never experienced before.”

 

“My experience of the programme has been positive. The Alpha team has provided a friendly and welcoming environment, enabling inclusion and support of all delegates. The shared meal allows for people to relax and transfer their focus from their day/week to being together as a group with a common purpose, whilst getting to know others. The group discussions provide for further examination of individual thoughts/experiences, with the leader prompting all to participate in a respectful and supportive manner. As the weekly meetings progressed, the group began to gain a sense of cohesion and safety, allowing greater sharing of personal experiences. This trust has begun to enable much deeper self – reflection and a willingness to be vulnerable, which in turn is allowing deeper connections with self, God and others. The weekend retreat was well timed in the programme. As groups reached a point of comfort, this full day together allowed for greater risks in disclosure by members and hence, a more cohesive group. I began to feel the Holy Spirit working.”

 

Our first Alpha program for 2021 commences 6pm Tuesday 2^nd February at the currently-being-renovated OLR Parish Centre. If you, or someone you know would like to encounter Jesus in a life changing way, please email [email protected] to register your interest. Who will you invite??

 

If you don’t feel this introductory course is for you, we are also looking to grow the Intercessory Prayer team that supports Alpha – all parishioners can join that ministry, and all Intercessory Prayer Team participation is in your own time with no meetings involved. Please email [email protected] to be included in this crucial ministry that underpins the success of the program for both participants and Alpha leaders.