Alpha? An automobile trademark? A language course? A new book—falling in love? Initials of a new group or an organization? A bit of mystery? So many questions asked by people who hear this word for the first time.

by Évangéline Plamondom, m.i.c.

For me, Alpha was the first letter of the Greek alphabet; I've come a long way since then. Alpha has courted me—not only has it been a course, yes!... a course, but also a fellowship group which I cherish and hold on to. For a missionary nun who has been a globe-trotter, this is a marvellous way of returning to my local church of origin to find means of insertion and commitment.

Alpha originated in Great Britain within a pastoral team of the Anglican Church, Holy Trinity Brompton. Nicky Gumbel, pastor of that Church is the author of this masterpiece. His writings are numerous; he travels world-wide as an evangelist and his presentations are based on the pedagogy of Alpha. Today, Alpha courses are in 156 countries; they are translated in 87 languages and are also offered in Catholic settings. Once again, the Holy Spirit designs ecumenical ways that go beyond our pastoral plans.

I came to know about Alpha when I arrived in Quebec City. One afternoon, the parish priest, Father Paul Lortie, came to meet me and asked if I would consider being a catechist at the Alpha session. I did not know the priest! I did not know Alpha! Since I was on sabbatical leave, I suggested for him to wait… He came back and I said YES!

I continue believing in this marvellous apostolic journey which helps me grow in my missionary vocation. Many Sisters from my local community have gone through the sessions and those who have returned overseas have benefited from an enriching experience in their own Church of Quebec which they have often lost touch with because of their long absence from the province.

What hapens at Alpha ?

Alpha consists of a series of 15 talks. Nicky Gumbel in his book Telling Others speaks on some of the following themes: Christianity: boring, untrue, irrelevant? Who is Jesus? How can I be sure of my faith? Why and how should I read the Bible? Why and how do I pray? etc. Each session is preceded by a fellowship meal. Around the table, the participants get to know each other and gradually deep bonds of friendship unite us. The meal is important because it opens up communication in a discreet, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It is easier to share when barriers have disappeared; questions and answers become less embarrassing and a spirit of trust and truthfulness emerges. Each person is welcomed and heard with much respect; without any doubt, this is the reason why this pedagogy is so enriching and successful.

A typical format of an evening: Greeting and welcome, fellowship meal, prayer, choral singing and rest, thought-provoking and challenging presentation by a catechist (priest, religious or laity) this is followed by a free-wheeling and engaging small group discussion. Volunteers and former participants assume various tasks, this eases the setting-up of the gatherings and also gives shape to a Christian community.

Alpha is for whom ?

Everyone is welcome! All persons wishing to know more about the Christian faith, those who want to re-connect with the Church, or individuals who want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life, or those who wish to contemplate because they think there may be more to life than meets the eye. Seekers as well as those who are unaffiliated with the Church really love this safe opportunity to explore the meaning of life.

Many people! It is interesting to find around the same table, people from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, of various age groups, and all have but one goal: to seek-out and find answers to their deepest questions about life.

Alpha's central theme

The Word of God is at the heart of Alpha's courses; it is of greatest importance. At each gathering, the participants must search the Bible and become acquainted with our great salvation history. Looking over the biblical message, particularly that of Jesus, and being in presence of living-faith witnesses, participants come to discover that the Word of God is a Living Word which nourishes and gently moves us on to in-depth search and knowledge. The Holy Spirit is revealed as the Breath of Life dwelling in the heart of each one; we learn to discover God’s touch in our daily life and to share it. Wonderment comes forth and thanksgiving is expressed in very simple words or in a profound silence.

In Quebec, at our parish St. Jean Baptiste, courses are given at the Church of the Holy Canadian Martyrs; to date, almost 400 persons have participated. Alpha revitalizes our parish, brings about the creation of new groups who dedicate themselves to reflection and commitment such as the Disciples and Witnesses. We find Alpha participants serving on various committees: Justice, proclamation of the Good News, fellowship groups, missionary committees, prayer-celebrations, and many others. The parish has extended its frontiers; participants come from other vicinities and they are all welcome.

Above all, this approach heightens our awareness to the fact that we will soon live this intense communion with people who will come, from every corner of the globe, to the International Eucharistic Congress in 2008.

Alpha, a new product ?

Not at all! This is a marvellous Church experience for our time. The journey begun gives rise to a joyful apostolic mission prompted by the Spirit of the Gospel. As we live through the experience we discover similarities with the first Christian communities when the Church was in its early stage. Thus history is written… the Acts of the Apostles year 2000!