The Alpha Course

ALPHA IS HERE!

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Are you wondering what Christianity is all about?

Are you curious about the Catholic Church?

Have you not received First Communion and/or Confirmation?

Are you engaged or married to a Catholic, and want to know why they believe “all that stuff”?

Are you returning to the Church after a long absence?

Or are you simply interested in learning more about the Faith you already profess and practice?

THE ALPHA COURSE classes are held on Tuesdays in Fr. D'Arco Hall, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

(There is no commitment, cost , or obligation to you!)

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EVANGELical catholicism

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What does "evangelical" mean?

Is it only a Protestant concept?

In what ways is Catholic Christianity evangelical, and why and how SHOULD it be?

Our pastor, Msgr. Douglas Raun, will present a four-week book discussion of George Weigel's recent book, EVANGELICAL CATHOLICISM. It will meet in Fr. D'Arco Hall on Mondays, 6/3/13-7/1/13 (no class on 6/17), 7:00-9:00 p.m. A limited number of books will be available for purchase for $19 each the first night of class. (Come early!)

Missed the first talk?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

NEW Great adventure bible study group forming

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A new, 11-session Great Adventure Bible study group is forming to study the book of Revelation.

It will meet in the Religious Education Center, room 6, on Saturdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning 7/13/13.

All Great Adventure studies require participants to use a Catholic Bible and a Catechism of the Catholic Church. The optional, but strongly recommended study kit will cost $20 or less. Please e-mail Jeannette at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or call 892-1511, x104) by 6/27/13 to pre-register.

The Alpha Course

THE ALPHA COURSE

What is Alpha? “Alpha for Catholics” is an 18-week course in basic Catholic/ Christian teaching. Participants share a meal, listen to a talk usually presented by one of our own parish clergy, and then discuss the current topic. Topics covered include:

Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?
Who is Jesus?
Why Did Jesus Die?
How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?
Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Why and How Do I Pray?
How Does God Guide Us?
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?
How Can I Resist Evil?
Why and How Should We Tell Others?
Does God Heal Today?
What About the Church?
Who Needs the Catholic Church?
Baptism: Gateway to Life
Confirmation: Empowered to Serve!
Personal Prayer: Pathway to Joy
What is the Mass?
Getting More Out of Mass
Keeping a Pure Heart
Mary and the Saints

Who can attend? All adults, whether Catholic or not, may participate in our Alpha Course. For people wishing to receive sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) in the Catholic Church, Alpha serves as the first phase of their preparation to receive any or all of those sacraments in our parish. Active Catholics needing a “recharge,” or Catholics returning to the Church after an extended absence, will also find a welcome in this Course. Non-Catholic spouses and fiancé(e)s wishing to learn more about their loved ones’ faith may also take the Course. Couples are especially encouraged to attend together, and will find that their Alpha experience strengthens their relationships. Again, any adult may come!

Will there be childcare? Yes, we do plan to provide childcare. Infants under one year old remain with their parents, however.

What does the Course cost? Attendance in “Alpha for Catholics” is free of charge, and we will provide you all necessary materials. Participants’ donations to offset the cost of food are gratefully accepted whenever personal finances allow, though!

When does the next Alpha Course begin? Our next Alpha session will begin in Fr. D’Arco Hall on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., and will continue to meet on Tuesday nights. In addition, there will be two special events offered to participants: a Saturday retreat and a day of reflection on a later Saturday (both are required for those preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Communion).

How do I register for the upcoming Alpha? To either sign up for The Alpha Course or to volunteer for the Alpha team, please contact Viana at (505) 710-4410 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Or, you could always come to the next class!

Alpha can only take place with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers. If you are a confirmed, practicing Catholic, and can commit to one night per week and one weekend of your personal time for 22 weeks (including training), please consider serving God and His Church by volunteering for the next Alpha Course.