Australian Catholic parishes are embracing the international “Alpha” model of evangelisation, with an increasing number of groups being established over the past few years.
A tool for evangelisation that creates a space where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about Jesus, Alpha has grown substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 30 per cent increase in the number of Alpha groups from 2019 to 2020.
In 2021, Alpha in a Catholic Context in Australia had more than 9,300 people explore life, faith and meaning; and there were a further 10,300 participants in 2022.
Parishes around the world have seen significant growth in numbers and a new enthusiasm for mission. New members of the parish, having come to faith during Alpha, frequently join parish activities and bring the freshness and joy of their encounter with Christ into the life of the parish.
The three key pillars of Alpha are connection, content and conversation. It is imperative that there is time to connect to create community. The content is key, but you don’t need to be a theologian or catechist to run Alpha, as the content speaks for itself and represents the fundamentals of Christianity. Lastly, Alpha involves creating a safe space to gather to talk about the information presented in small groups, where every statement and question is welcome.
In the Greek alphabet, Alpha is the first letter. Similarly, Alpha as a resource is a stepping-stone that never claims the exhaustive fullness of truth, but rather is a point upon the journey where the Kerygma can be introduced in a dynamic way.
Pope Francis explains that the Kerygma is the initial proclamation of the Gospel, the understanding that “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you, and now he is living at your side to enlighten, strengthen and free you” (Evangelii Gaudium, 164).
Alpha follows a simple formula covering topics such as “Who is Jesus?” and “Why and how do I pray?”
Alpha develops missionary disciples and engages lay people in the life and mission of the Church.
With the blessing of the parish priest, a core team takes ownership and hosts Alpha in the parish. These parishioners are equipped to proclaim the Good News in a simple and effective way.
Guests who have experienced Alpha often go on to become effective and confident evangelisers themselves as they share the impact that their encounter and relationship with Jesus has had on their lives.
Fr Josh Whitehead, parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary in Caloundra, Queensland, said the parish has completed three seasons of Alpha since commencing in early 2020.
“Excitingly, at our team debrief dinner following the completion of the most recent course, we decided to start three more Alphas in July aiming at different demographics – youth and young adults, daytime for the elderly and an evening Alpha,” Fr Josh said.
“The course has thrown our parish into chaos – a good chaos – where people now greet each other with a love and joy that wasn’t previously visible.
“As a team and parish, we have a massive challenge ahead of us as we transition from 95 per cent of our Alpha attendees being members of the worshipping community to becoming an invitational community to those who need Christ most.”
In November 2022, Alpha Australia had its first Alpha in a Catholic Context conference, titled “Revive and Thrive”, with more than 150 guests coming from every major city of Australia.
The first day of the conference focused on themes of sustainable ministry and ended with an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with prayer ministry. The second day featured keynotes on team building and culture, among other topics.
Alpha can be seen as a type of “on-ramp” before inviting your friend to Mass for the first time. The perfect place to learn more is somewhere where questions are welcome within the process. When it is used as a tool, there is opportunity for guests to seek further faith formation – by being immersed in the Catholic community and by developing relationships with the parishioners in a way that isn’t available in other parish programs.
Alpha Youth in a Catholic Context
Diocesan and Catholic education offices across Australia are exploring a systematic implementation of Alpha Youth across schools and parishes, with several dioceses seeking to build a “pathway” for young people from school to parish.
Alpha has been supporting dioceses to build this pathway with teacher and leader formation and tailored plans, as well as launching Alpha groups for cohorts of student leaders. An example of this approach is in the Diocese of Bathurst.
The Alpha team journeyed alongside Bathurst’s youth ministry team by facilitating training for diocesan youth leaders, launching the Alpha Youth series with a fortnightly cohort and facilitating the Holy Spirit retreat aligned to the diocesan student gathering.
“Alpha is helping us as a diocese to lean into the faith lives of so many we work with in youth ministry,” Diocese of Bathurst mission and renewal director Deacon Josh Clayton said.
“Alpha is simple, but its message is profound. Alpha doesn't change lives, Jesus does. Alpha is a way that He can enter into the hearts and minds of his loved children.”
As well as the Alpha Youth program, there is now an ongoing series, “Life Essentials”, which presents short 10-minute episodes addressing topics of identity, purpose, belonging and faith.
This year, Alpha will continue to connect with teachers, priests, youth ministers and leaders from schools, parishes and dioceses to make spaces for young people to explore faith.
For more information visit, www.alpha.org.au/catholic-context, or visit the Alpha Youth and Life Essentials webpages.
Images: Supplied – Alpha
Words: NCE Team, Tess Brennan