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, March 20, 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.
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