Alpha

The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed manner over ten, thought-provoking weekly sessions. It also serves as a refresher course for practicing Catholics or for those who have lapsed in their faith and want to clarify their thoughts about belief. It is run in thousands of Catholic parishes around the world, hosted either by the parish priest or a lay member of the parish.

Click here to find an Alpha for Catholics course near you.

Click here if you are interested in running an Alpha course in a Catholic context or if you would like to find out more about the Alpha course in the Catholic Church around the world.

What the guests say...

I was brought up a Catholic, but all my life I attended church out of obligation, out of duty. I was asked along to Alpha at St George's parish, Norwich. I was a little apprehensive but I decided to go along.When I arrived I was struck by how the people running the course were so alive. It was the first time I had come across such a loving set of people. They have since become very good friends. On one of the evenings I was prayed for, and I received the Holy Spirit. I had a smile from one ear to the other. My church life has now intensified greatly. I go to a weekly prayer meeting at St George's and I am a children's liturgy catechist. I also do catechism with the parents of children who are being baptised. I am now reading at mass, and participating in many more of the parish activities.'

Philip Hook, Norfolk, UK

Suffering from depression, Richard Harrison, 23, of Otley, West Yorkshire, was in a desperate situation when he was invited to an Alpha course at a local Catholic church, St Peter and St Paul, Yeadon, by a friend. He decided to attend the course. 'On the Weekend Away', he said, 'I decided to pray a prayer to invite Jesus into my life. As I said the prayer, I felt different on the inside. As the days went by I had a profound sense that God loved me. The depression lifted. Now I feel completely free.'

Richard Harrison, Yorkshire, UK

Click here to email the Alpha for Catholics Team.