Alpha Buzz!

This fall St. Gerard has hosted a program called Alpha. Alpha is a series of 10 sermons that explore the bases of the Christian faith. The sessions include a wonderful meal, a short talk, and a discussion where you share your thoughts with other participants. Alpha is for anyone who is curious, is searching, and/or is seeking to live a meaningful life.

Forty St. Gerard Parishioners form the team conducting the program. Another 200 parishioners and visitors have participated. Some of the participants are active Catholics seeking a deeper relationship with Christ; others are Catholics who have been away and are seeking to reconnect; others are of other faiths or no particular faith searching for a more meaningful way of living.

The reaction from the Alpha participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Most appreciate the friendly, honest and informal environment that allows them to explore life’s deeper issues and how the Christian faith seeks to answer those issues.

The Alpha program will conclude before Christmas. Many of the participants will choose to continue meeting, and we will provide materials to assist their continued growth in their understanding of the Christian faith and Catholicism.

We will also offer Alpha again beginning in January. I encourage those who have heard positive things about Alpha to consider participating. The meetings will be on Wednesday evenings this time, (SOMEWORD) Tuesdays. We want to allow those who were unable to come on Tuesdays, a different night so they can come.
The first session will be Wednesday January 13 ^th. The meal begins promptly at 6:30 pm. The sessions typically are finished before 9:00 pm.

Parishioners are welcome but so, too, are those Catholics who are (SOMEWORD), people of different faith, people of no faith who are searching. I encourage you, in particular, to invite family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors and anyone you know who might benefit from re-connecting with the faith or who might be searching. The sessions are free, there is no pressure, the environment is friendly and a person attending the first session does not have to return.

Parishioners and other seekers have found Alpha a great experience. Don’t fear to invite someone. Maybe your invitation will open the door of faith to one who truly could benefit.