Developing Alpha in the Catholic Church

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Developing Alpha in the Catholic Church
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Introduction

• Prayer and Introductions
• Vision A New Evangelisation
• Challenges
• Priorities
• Presenting Alpha to the Catholic Church
• Follow up to Alpha
• Q A with the panel

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Vision A New Evangelisation

• Helping Catholic parishes and communities to
  reach out
• to the unchurched using the Alpha course
• Renewal of faith in Jesus Christ
• Growth and renewal to Catholic parishes
• Mobilising the laity to evangelise
• A witness to Christian Unity

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Challenges

• Perception that Alpha is
• a Protestant tool
• Charismatic
• Evangelisation often not a high priority in
  Catholic parishes
• Follow up after Alpha
• Lack of small group structure in parishes

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Priorities

• Appointment of Catholic Advisers
• Building relationships of trust with the
  hierarchy
• Presence at key Catholic events
• Training

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Resources

• Alpha in a Catholic Context Introductory Guide
• Website with testimonies and endorsements
• Introductory DVD in development

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Training

• National Alpha Conference
• GAT led by a Catholic team
• Pilot Alpha course
• Come and see a parish course

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Presenting Alpha to the Catholic Church

• Where possible send Catholics to talk to
  Catholics
• Alpha is a tool for primary evangelisation
• It is only an introduction to the Christian faith
  (Kerygma)
• A tool to build the local church
• Alpha in the context of the call to a New
  Evangelisation
• Stress the importance of catechetical follow up
  to Alpha

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Model Presentation

• Alpha
• Kerygma
• Proclaimed within the local Christian community
• Led by the Spirit

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Alpha is the beginning of a process

• Integration into parish life - Mass
• Friendship and discipleship - Small Groups
• Catechesis exploring the Catholic faith

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• Q A with the Panel

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Please keep in touch!

• Contact catholics_at_alpha.org
• Sign up for the Alpha in a Catholic Context
  Newsletter