Dear Friends,
Many of us, from our two faith communities, just completed an eleven week program called “ALPHA.” This fabulous experience was presented to us by Anne Gallagher, our Director of Disciple Formation, and Karen Luke, our Director of Family Life and Sacraments.
Alpha is a parish tool where our parishioners and some guests (all are welcome) came together in a created space where conversation takes place about Jesus. This experience is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, sharing the good news of Jesus!
Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. Inspired conversations explore the life of faith and unpack the basics of Christian belief, addressing questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?”, and “How does God guide us?”. It is designed to provide guests an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus.
The guests met in a small group format and judgement-free environment. We were with the same folks (most weeks) at a table set for a welcoming dinner. Some guests brought their children who were gathered together at joyful table for their dinner together and then they set off for their own personal time. Karen Luke had the assistance of several of our young people with our children: Elizabeth Ricci, Morgan Rothberg, Anna Reh, Grace Nawn, Camryn Adrid, Samantha Weeks, Riley Gasser, Addy Bryant, and Sarah Gargano. Behind the scenes many hands of stewardship helped in the preparations, set-up of tables, preparing audio materials and enabling all the guests to have a fabulous dinner each week with one another. This includes our small group leaders: Kristen Graham, Brett Bishopp, Lisa and Devon Van Vechten, Allison DiMarco, Mike O'Leary, Erin Kane, Paul Schultz, and Mary Jo Brandt. Thank you all!
I also want to thank Charlene Merrill for coordinating all the dinners!!! Every meal was *****! Assisting Charlene over the eleven weeks in one way or another were Verna Baumgarten, Betsy Carosa, Diane Dailey, Vicki DeWald, Theresa Downham, Bob and Kathy Goldbach, Karen Hanley, Leslie and Bill Hulbert, Kathy Kyhos, Kaitlin McNamera, Jim Merrill, John and Pam Notebaert, Diane Carroll Yacoby and Jen Yates. God Bless all these wonderful sisters and brothers of ours who prepared the food, who set the tables, who cleaned up after every meal and who did everything with great love for the grace and blessings of ALPHA! I cannot thank each and every one of you enough!!!
Alpha began in Lent and continued to thrive during our current Easter Season! Alleluias resonate and will continue to for all who participated!
Maybe, prayerfully, some of you who did not have the opportunity to join us for this initial “ALPHA” moment, will be at table in the future, with people you certainly will be blessed to be among!
I know I was and I’m grateful to have made the time to come together, pray, break bread and have good, solid sharing about our faith in Jesus Christ!
Blessings to all,
Father Rob