Firsthand information on Alpha (Catholic version)?

[felsguy]

Our parish is exploring using the Alpha program. Firsthand information/experience with the program being used in a local Catholic parish would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tablefor9]

Our parish is doing this. What questions do you have?

 

[felsguy]

Our parish is doing this. What questions do you have?

Well, things like

has it been well received?
how broad is it’s appeal?
who have the participants been?
would you recommend it for a large, suburban midwest US parish?
How does it or does it fit with RCIA?

 

[felsguy]

Well, things like

has it been well received?
how broad is it’s appeal?
who have the participants been?
would you recommend it for a large, suburban midwest US parish?
How does it or does it fit with RCIA?

And to explain why I’m asking, I’ve been invited by our DRE to a meeting to consider the program and frankly, until I received the invitation I had not heard of Alpha. I’ve read the literature and am now looking for some information from folks who have recent personal involvement with it, either as a participant or helping to present it.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

My parish has refused to use the Alpha program due to its extremely poor catechetical value and Protestant style teachings. I would recommend finding a more Catholic catechetical program such as Symbolon.

 

[Tablefor9]

Ok. So we started Alpha after doing Matthew Kelley’s Rediscovering Jesus together during Lent…literally, every parish family received a copy of the book and were encouraged to work through it as a Lenten devotional. Alpha started the week of Eastertide, and booked out. There are no more available slots on Wednesday night or Sunday night. That means about 400 people are participating out of a parish of 2000ish families, in a midsize coastal city. There is Life Teen involvement and senior involvement; it was open to anyone in the Parish. I think it would be a good fit with RCIA; maybe look at RCIA as being the why and history, and the Alpha being the how and going forward. I know there are several of the RCIA candidates that were received at Easter who are participating, as are teens who are being confirmed in May.

We eat together, then separate into small groups. The discussions have been great, and I feel it is helping many actually build relationships in the parish they didn’t have before.

As an aside, we did Symbolon last year and that was incredible in building knowledge and faithfulness, but did not have the relationship building component. I don’t see that it has to be either/or–it can be both/and.

 

[TwoNames]

I honestly don’t know the program. But form what I’VE HEARD, it does not seem to be the best thing that happened to the Church, But I’m sure that not everything about it can be placed in one basket.

 

[Joe_5859]

My parish has refused to use the Alpha program due to its extremely poor catechetical value and Protestant style teachings. I would recommend finding a more Catholic catechetical program such as Symbolon.

I know I had heard that complaint about Alpha 10 years ago, but I’ve heard better things about it in recent years. Have there been recent revisions to the program? I have no first-hand experience with it, but I like to be informed.

 

[felsguy]

Ok. So we started Alpha after doing Matthew Kelley’s Rediscovering Jesus together during Lent…literally, every parish family received a copy of the book and were encouraged to work through it as a Lenten devotional. Alpha started the week of Eastertide, and booked out. There are no more available slots on Wednesday night or Sunday night. That means about 400 people are participating out of a parish of 2000ish families, in a midsize coastal city. There is Life Teen involvement and senior involvement; it was open to anyone in the Parish. I think it would be a good fit with RCIA; maybe look at RCIA as being the why and history, and the Alpha being the how and going forward. I know there are several of the RCIA candidates that were received at Easter who are participating, as are teens who are being confirmed in May.

We eat together, then separate into small groups. The discussions have been great, and I feel it is helping many actually build relationships in the parish they didn’t have before.

As an aside, we did Symbolon last year and that was incredible in building knowledge and faithfulness, but did not have the relationship building component. I don’t see that it has to be either/or–it can be both/and.

Thank you, that’s very helpful.

The Alpha literature states that while the program can benefit those who simply wish to refresh or enhance (my words) their understanding of the faith, it was designed primarily for “those who do not go to church.” If I read correctly, your parish is using the program more as a continuation for active parishioners. Are there many unchurched or inactive individuals participating and if so, is their a separate component for them or are theyblended in?

 

[phil19034]

If you are referring to the Christ Life series, my parish has done the first 2 and is starting the 3rd next week.

The first time, we had over 130 people involved. But all the others have been much smaller.

Lots of people didn’t feel that they learned a lot from it. But some enjoyed the sharing.

Honestly, I think the Symbolon Series, Father Gaitley’s programs, and any of Bishop Barron’s programs are much better.

 

[felsguy]

If you are referring to the Christ Life series, my parish has done the first 2 and is starting the 3rd next week.

The first time, we had over 130 people involved. But all the others have been much smaller.

Lots of people didn’t feel that they learned a lot from it. But some enjoyed the sharing.

Honestly, I think the Symbolon Series, Father Gaitley’s programs, and any of Bishop Barron’s programs are much better.

Thank you. It appears though that Alpha and Christ Life are similar but two different programs.

 

[Tablefor9]

Thank you, that’s very helpful.

The Alpha literature states that while the program can benefit those who simply wish to refresh or enhance (my words) their understanding of the faith, it was designed primarily for “those who do not go to church.” If I read correctly, your parish is using the program more as a continuation for active parishioners. Are there many unchurched or inactive individuals participating and if so, is their a separate component for them or are theyblended in?

Blended in. This was pitched (pardon the term) during the time just prior to Easter when Mass attendance is up anyway; I think it’s fair to say we have participation from those who are C&E usually, as well as the faithful. I would say the purpose is to give participants a “how to” that follow up any “why we do” they may already have; also building community, which let’s face it, many parishes struggle with.

Honestly, this isn’t the only thing our parish will do this year. We have at least 3 retreats annually, kids go to Steubenville, Etc. This is part of a whole bunch of things that are meant to take our Parish as a body to a dynamic, fully alive relationship with Jesus and His Church. I don’t think it should be stand alone, or maybe even the main event. But it is a good piece used to plug people in and make them part of the parish while enhancing their prayer and devotional life. Who’s against that?

 

[felsguy]

Blended in. This was pitched (pardon the term) during the time just prior to Easter when Mass attendance is up anyway; I think it’s fair to say we have participation from those who are C&E usually, as well as the faithful. I would say the purpose is to give participants a “how to” that follow up any “why we do” they may already have; also building community, which let’s face it, many parishes struggle with.

Honestly, this isn’t the only thing our parish will do this year. We have at least 3 retreats annually, kids go to Steubenville, Etc. This is part of a whole bunch of things that are meant to take our Parish as a body to a dynamic, fully alive relationship with Jesus and His Church. I don’t think it should be stand alone, or maybe even the main event. But it is a good piece used to plug people in and make them part of the parish while enhancing their prayer and devotional life. Who’s against that?

Again, thank you for that. The initial impression I’m getting is that it is being “pitched” to our parish as a program to evangelize non-Christians, non-Catholics, and inactive Catholics rather than to strengthen the faith of or build community among existing active parishioners. Not that both purposes aren’t valuable and needed.

Fortunately our parish has a pretty decent schedule of ongoing adult faith formation programs and our group is looking to see if Alpha would be the right addition at this time. Actually I believe we were approached by Alpha.

 

[phil19034]

Thank you. It appears though that Alpha and Christ Life are similar but two different programs.

From what I understand, Christ Life was based on Alpha. It may have been the first attempt to adapt Alpha for Catholics. Alpha even helped them create it.

Alpha now has an interesting group of advisors to help them with their Catholic version, but I’m still very skeptical.

Here are site reviews from Catholic Culture regarding Christ Life, where the review mentions Alpha many times.

catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=3180&repos=2&subrepos=0&searchid=1617145

While Alpha and Christ Life both try to teach Catholics to evangelize, they both fail to explain why someone should be evangelized into the Catholic Church. The programs indirectly imply that all Christian denominations are equal.

They fail to include anything from Scared Tradition regarding why someone should not only accept Christ into their life, but also His Church.

 

[phil19034]

As an aside, we did Symbolon last year and that was incredible in building knowledge and faithfulness, but did not have the relationship building component. I don’t see that it has to be either/or–it can be both/and.

You can add the relationship building component to Symbolon. Symbolon has participant guides, and now even has small group participant guides too.

Furthermore, you can add the meal, songs, & even the retreat to a Symbolon program. A Saturday retreat can be easily created by combining two weeks on a Saturday, plus adding something to the episodes (i.e. Confessions, novenas, devotions, adoration, blessings, etc.)

There are plenty of things that can be added to give Symbolon that “relationship building” component very easily.

The difference is that Alpha (and Christ Life) focuses on the community part instead of Tradition.

Again, my main problem with both Alpha & Christ Life is that they focus on what Protestants do well, but ignore what the Catholic Church uniquely has to offer.

God Bless

 

[Tablefor9]

You can add the relationship building component to Symbolon. Symbolon has participant guides, and now even has small group participant guides too.

Furthermore, you can add the meal, songs, & even the retreat to a Symbolon program. A Saturday retreat can be easily created by combining two weeks on a Saturday, plus adding something to the episodes (i.e. Confessions, novenas, devotions, adoration, blessings, etc.)

There are plenty of things that can be added to give Symbolon that “relationship building” component very easily.

The difference is that Alpha (and Christ Life) focuses on the community part instead of Tradition.

Again, my main problem with both Alpha & Christ Life is that they focus on what Protestants do well, but ignore what the Catholic Church uniquely has to offer.

God Bless

I actually like this idea a lot. I don’t think we should be skimming over what is the heart of Catholicism. I just believe there are ways to improve other areas. When Catholics lived in the same neighborhoods and families weren’t so far apart, I think this was less of an issue. Now, particularly in areas like ours, we have to build community on purpose.

 

[phil19034]

I actually like this idea a lot. I don’t think we should be skimming over what is the heart of Catholicism. I just believe there are ways to improve other areas. When Catholics lived in the same neighborhoods and families weren’t so far apart, I think this was less of an issue. Now, particularly in areas like ours, we have to build community on purpose.

I agree. There are many parishes that in areas where people are not originally from the area and they must build community of purpose. I was at a parish in Boynton Beach, FL and they do that, because everyone is either a snow bird, or originally from somewhere else.

The problem is encouraging this in parishes where most of the active parish has lived there for years. I live in a parish that is made up of people who mostly have lived there for 20+ years. It very difficult for me and other people who have moved into the parish (not even thinking about converts) to feel at home.

This is why I’m a big fan of the meal aspect and sharing aspect that Christ Life does. But as I mentioned before, Symbolon has the group questions… simply add a meal during or before and you can create that community part.

Also, I know of a parish in Texas that played Symbolon at a parish happy hour at a bar. They played the episode on the end of life and called their happy hour “For Heaven’s Sake, What the Hell is the Deal with Purgatory?”

They had ~150 people show up to bar to watch it and socialize. The next happy hour they had with another Symbolon episode had over 250 people!

I think Catholics too many times (especially in traditionally Catholic neighborhoods) have a tendency to separate fellowship and adult faith formation. We do things like having a movie night with “Toy Story” as fellowship and then treat adult faith formation like a college classroom.

Instead, we can become a lot more effective if we merge the two into one. Have a movie night with something like “Mary of Nazareth” or something from sites like www.catholicchild.com and catholicfamilycatalog.com. Include fellowship in all Adult Faith Formation events.

We need to do a better job of adding fellowship & praise without diminishing Tradition & tradition

 

[Joe_5859]

From what I understand, Christ Life was based on Alpha. It may have been the first attempt to adapt Alpha for Catholics. Alpha even helped them create it.

Alpha now has an interesting group of advisors to help them with their Catholic version, but I’m still very skeptical.

Here are site reviews from Catholic Culture regarding Christ Life, where the review mentions Alpha many times.

catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=3180&repos=2&subrepos=0&searchid=1617145

While Alpha and Christ Life both try to teach Catholics to evangelize, they both fail to explain why someone should be evangelized into the Catholic Church. The programs indirectly imply that all Christian denominations are equal.

They fail to include anything from Scared Tradition regarding why someone should not only accept Christ into their life, but also His Church.

I think that’s a fair criticism about what they are lacking, but I don’t really buy Catholic Culture’s point that “Logically the faith needs to be taught before you can evangelize.” Evangelization comes before catechesis in the RCIA. If someone doesn’t encounter Christ, they’ll be less inclined to want to learn much about him.

Not that it’s rigidly sequential. Both evangelization and catechesis are needed at all stages. But I can understand their approach of putting the evangelization first.

I suppose, just as you can add the community, relational components to one’s use of Symbolon, so too could a parish add the catechetical, doctrinal components to their use of Alpha or Christlife. No program is the be-all and end-all.

 

[felsguy]

I just came from an hour and a half meeting of our parish staff and RCIA team with two regional directors of Alphausa. While certainly not claiming to me a one-meeting expert, I now have at least a basic understanding of the origins, intent, and methodology of Alpha. In short, I learned that it is primarily a tool for evangelizing, that is, providing an inviting and comfortable opportunity to introduce Jesus to those who have little or no connection with him. It deliberately does not take a catechetical approach but rather seeks to create or foster a relationship with Jesus upon which sound Catholic formation and catechesis can be built. In this sense, I see how Alpha’s methodology (non-confrontational small discussions after a meal) and perhaps some of the material could be used as an enrichment process for a segment of existing parish members, but I’m not so sure how beneficial it would be for “practicing Catholics” with a basic knowledge of the faith.

I have read some of the concerns raised here and elsewhere about the suitability of Alpha for use by Catholic parishes but nothing I heard today caused me any misgivings. Again, Alpha is not meant to be a program of catechesis but rather as a means of leading some to it. And also, for me the label Protestant suggests an incompleteness rather than an evil.

It turns out that our parish will be hosting an a training session in May for area parishes who are planning to or contemplating conducting Alpha. Whether or not my parish will use Alpha, most likely in conjunction with or in place of our usual RCIA Inquiry sessions, remains to be seen but I do plan to attend the workshop to learn more.

 

[Joe_5859]

I just came from an hour and a half meeting of our parish staff and RCIA team with two regional directors of Alphausa. While certainly not claiming to me a one-meeting expert, I now have at least a basic understanding of the origins, intent, and methodology of Alpha. In short, I learned that it is primarily a tool for evangelizing, that is, providing an inviting and comfortable opportunity to introduce Jesus to those who have little or no connection with him. It deliberately does not take a catechetical approach but rather seeks to create or foster a relationship with Jesus upon which sound Catholic formation and catechesis can be built. In this sense, I see how Alpha’s methodology (non-confrontational small discussions after a meal) and perhaps some of the material could be used as an enrichment process for a segment of existing parish members, but I’m not so sure how beneficial it would be for “practicing Catholics” with a basic knowledge of the faith.

I have read some of the concerns raised here and elsewhere about the suitability of Alpha for use by Catholic parishes but nothing I heard today caused me any misgivings. Again, Alpha is not meant to be a program of catechesis but rather as a means of leading some to it. And also, for me the label Protestant suggests an incompleteness rather than an evil.

It turns out that our parish will be hosting an a training session in May for area parishes who are planning to or contemplating conducting Alpha. Whether or not my parish will use Alpha, most likely in conjunction with or in place of our usual RCIA Inquiry sessions, remains to be seen but I do plan to attend the workshop to learn more.

Thanks for sharing!

Let us know how the training goes.