In early 2023, Fr. Smith invited us to initiate a new Alpha ministry at St. Paul. Since that time, we have run courses twice a year in the Spring and Fall, and we are pleased to note that all these courses have seen good attendance, very positive feedback and strong, committed service team members.
Alpha is built on four foundational values that guide us: Be real. Be relational. Rely on the Holy Spirit. Reproduce by empowering others.
Alpha is a parish tool for evangelization based on hospitality, sharing and open conversation. The same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, sharing the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
A personal testimonial from a team member of the St Paul Alpha Ministry, who first attended an Alpha course many years ago:
• I was at an extreme low point in my life and cried out to God, he answered me and I knew I wanted and needed more, but how?
• It all started by attending an Alpha course. I was a cradle catholic but lapsed in my faith and rarely attending mass, I went from attending as a guest, to a service team member, to a leadership role. Along the way I also attended Bible study, life in the Spirit, men’s retreats and charismatic meetings/seminars. My life changed radically, and I can never give back more than I have been freely given.
• Alpha equips people to be missionary disciples, not simply to just be consumers of their faith. It brings people into these much deeper relationships and makes people comfortable sharing their faith with others. - Father Michael Leclerc, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Montreal, QC
• A good number of our parishes in our diocese have hosted adult Alphas and we also use Alpha for Youth as the first component in our Confirmation process. Alpha helps to draw people into an initial and ongoing encounter and rich relationship with Jesus and his Church. Alpha lays the foundation to go deeper and, in the power of the Holy Spirit become the missionary disciples the Lord calls each one of us to be. - Bishop Christian Riesbeck, Saint John, NB
• The Archdiocese of Vancouver first welcomed Alpha here in 1994 and we have been experiencing its benefits ever since. Alpha has not only helped us introduce unchurched people to Christ but also provided an excellent way for Catholics to live out their baptismal call to evangelize. - Archbishop J. Michael Miller, Vancouver, BC
• As the Catholic Church enters the Jubilee Year of Hope, we pray that all parishes, dioceses, and communities may truly become beacons of hope – renewed in mission, forming missionary disciples, and creating spaces of encounter through Alpha. We pray for all Alpha staff and teams who are leading initiatives throughout the Jubilee Year. May these bear fruit and inspire generations to follow Jesus.
St. Paul Alpha Ministry is but a small cog in a much bigger engine. See how God is moving throughout Canada. The link below brings you to the Alpha Canada website where you can view the annual progress reports.