Some members of our Alpha Group
The Presentation Brothers, Mt. St.
Joseph completed another successful Alpha course on Sunday with a themed
retreat day on the Holy Spirit. Carolyn and Nora joined us for the retreat. The
Brothers organise the Alpha course here in our community in Mt. St. Joseph twice
a year and in our community in Glasthule, Co Dublin. Our Youth Ministry Team
(PBYM) visit schools in the city to deliver the Junior Alpha Programme to TYO
students.
While Alpha is open to everyone, we
encourage young adults in particular to attend. Our Alpha group here in Mt. St.
Joseph met on a Tuesday evening throughout Lent. We were blessed with a
wonderful mix of ages and background. Alpha groups are all the more enriched
when they are intergenerational and indeed international. The Alpha programme
embraces all, atheists, agnostics and believers alike. Participants are
encouraged to ask the big questions about life in a safe and informal setting.
Usually, a lovely bond develops among the participants with a genuine sense of
belonging. This truly is Church in action.
Set over an hour and a half, a
typical Alpha session consists firstly of time together over an informal meal.
This allows for the all-important bonding to take place. Following this, there
is a themed input, either in the form of a DVD or a talk in person. Finally, people
go into groups to discuss the topic at hand. The Alpha course encourages people
to ask questions pertinent to them and to see if there is room for Christ in
their lives. Alpha encourages people to strengthen their faith through
grappling with their doubts.
By the end of the 10 weeks, people
feel refreshed by Alpha. Everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging to this
small community with whom they have journeyed in a short few weeks. But what is
perhaps most exciting is seeing people who have connected with God in a very
personal way. Lives are changed through the power of the Holy Spirit and it is
a privilege to accompany them on that journey.
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