Alpha participants pray together during a weekend retreat that is the highlight of the 10-week course on basic Christianity. Groups meet weekly for a meal and a teaching.
My Experience of Alpha:
"I should be happy but I don't feel
happy." These were the words that played over and over again
in my mind. I have a good job, a great family and a new house
that I had been praying for. What more could I ask for? I started
praying for a change in my life. l asked God to help me find the
way. l wanted to know happiness and I wanted to know peace.l guess
I didn't feel deserving of these things but I really felt that
I needed them.
One night I had an amazing dream. It was
a dream that I will never forget . It is as clear to me today
as it was when I woke up. l was standing in line to get on a roller
coaster ride at an amusement park. lt was a beautiful sunny day
and there was a sea of people all eagerly awaiting their turn.
I wasn't sure what I was doing in this line - I hate roller coasters.
The people on the ride were screaming and laughing and it was
very loud. As I got closer in the line I could see a man taking
the tickets. He was wearing beautiful white robe and he turned
around and smiled at me. lt was Jesus! Then I looked up and saw
that the roller coaster seemed like it was going to crash. l was
scared for them. I yelled, "Jesus, they are out of control,
aren't you going to save them?" Jesus just looked at me and
smiled. Just as I was about to get on the ride my daughter woke
me up saying it was time for breakfast. I was a little scared
because I never had a dream about Jesus before. In fact, I have
been away from the church for a very long time.
A few days later I got a call from Father
Jim Otto. l knew that he was calling about the Rite of Christian
Initiation program since I was only baptized Catholic. He said
that he saw that we had just registered at the parish and he was
doing a program called Alpha if I would like to come and check
it out. I said, "Father, I consider myself a spiritual person
and I don't really feel the need to go to church." He said,
"Shirley Maclaine considers herself spiritual too."
By the time I got off the phone I told him that I would try to
go. I really didn't think that I was going to go .
A patient at work the next week asked me
if I loved Jesus. l told her "I guess so". She told
me that she really loved Jesus and she just kept smiling. The
day after that I found a screen saver of the Blessed Mother on
my computer. Someone was definitely trying to tell me something.
Friday night came and I went to my first
Alpha meeting. I didn't know what to expect but I enjoyed myself.
I found myself looking forward to it every week. I had gone to
Mass a few times and I even started reading the Bible. I came
to a passage about forgiveness one day and something just clicked
in my head. l felt that my inability to forgive certain people
for the many things that they had done was holding me back.
I realized that I was carrying around all
of this anger, hurt and bitterness for most of my life. It was
making me miserable. Now ,a thirty year old mother of two, I couldn't
bear to keep it with me any longer. I didn't want this to affect
me or my family anymore. I really didn't know how to get past
it though. Could I really ask God to help me with this?
It was time to go on our Alpha retreat.
I didn't think that I would be able to go but I really wanted
to. I was nervous because I wasn't sure what was going to happen.
I figured at the very least I would have a peaceful night away
from the kids and get to talk with everyone. It was Mother's Day
weekend and it was so beautiful there. Late on Friday night I
went into the chapel. There were a few people inside and it was
very peaceful. I sat in the back and I began to pray.
I started by thanking God for my many blessings
and for leading me to Alpha and the retreat. Then I said, "Lord,
I think you brought me here for a reason. I know that I need to
forgive them for what they did. If I can't forgive them I know
that I won't be able to ask for my own forgiveness. Please help
me, Jesus. Help me to find peace through forgiveness." I
said the test part over and over again. I started crying and I
just couldn't stop. I felt sadness and relief.
The next morning I felt good; a feeling
of calmness came over me. Later that day Father Otto prayed over
each of us. This was new to me . I wanted the Holy Spirit to come
to me but I was afraid. Father Otto and Deacon McGuire placed
their hands on me and they prayed. Father Otto said a lot of things
but I remember him saying, " Lord, give her peace."
I was totally overwhelmed. I felt good but I wasn't sure that
I was any different. When I got home I gave my family the biggest
hugs that I had ever given them.
On Sunday morning, Mother's Day, I was completely
ecstatic. I got up and took the kids to church and I felt really
happy to be there. I was starting to realize that I had received
a gift from Jesus himself! All that I had to do was ask. l was
filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. I was free and peaceful
and I knew that my life would never be the same again. l will
never turn my back on Jesus again for I know He is always with
me. I will look forward to going to Mass every week, reading my
Bible before bed and bring my family closer to the Lord. lf I
could find that patient at work I would tell her "Yes, I
love Jesus, too." I have thanked Jesus every day for answering
my prayers and showing me the way, starting with that beautiful
dream, and I will thank him forever. He has given me a new life
and I will be eternally grateful. - Jennifer Simmons
Your invitation to check out Alpha at free introductory dinner on Sept. 13
We invite you to check out Alpha by calling the rectory at 610 543 0848 .
The Alpha introductory dinner is Friday, Sept. 13, at 6.30 P.M.Come and see what Alpha is all about. Alpha a 10-week practical introduction to the Christian Faith
· Dinner
· Small-group discussion
· Group teaching
· Weekend retreat (optional)
--Anyone can come -- believers and unchurched. Anyone interested
in finding out more about the --Christian faith is welcome. Learning
and laughter. Join others in a relaxed atmosphere.
Pasta (or other great food). Each weekly session begins with dinner.
--Helping one another. Dinner is followed by large-group presentation
and small-group discussion.
Ask anything. Here's your chance to ask your questions and express your opinions.
A 10-week program answering these questions for those who wonder:
· Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?
·. Who Is Jesus?
·. Why Did Jesus Die?
· Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
·. Why and How Do I Pray?
· How Does God Guide Us? :
· Who Is the Holy Spirit?
· How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?
· What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
·. How Can I Resist Evil?
· Why and How Should We Tell Others?
· Does God Heal Today?
· What About the Church?
We would like to invite you to join us on the NEXT Alpha
Course. Alpha is a short, practical introduction to the Christian
faith. It includes an optional weekend away. This is a key part
of the course, as well as being great fun, so please write the
dates on your calendar now.
Each weekly session begins with supper at 6:30 P.M., includes
a talk, and ends with an opportunity to meet in small groups to
discuss and study the Bible. All meetings will take place on Wednesday
evenings at St. Francis of Assisi.
Please call the Rectory office to register: 610 543-0848. We look
forward to meeting you.
--The Alpha Team
Father Jim Otto called together 19 people several months ago for the purpose of growing in their commitment to the Lord. The group close to use the ALPHA program that includes informal dinner, viewing a videotape and discussion. ALPHA is a course in basic Christianity that is presented in a clear, compelling manner. It is being presented with great success all over the world.
ALPHA is a meal, a talk and a chance to ask those hard questions on faith in a non-threatening place. Guests are invited to learn together as they dig into questions of life and faith. ALPHA originated in England as a way to present the Gospel to believers and non-believers alike.
At the first meeting, held in the rectory, the participants
viewed a tape that summarizes the program.. Twelve of those invited
formed the first group, which met Saturday evenings for 10 weeks.
Four ALPHA presentations have occurred. Twenty one persons attended
the most recent one that ended in May 2000.
ALPHA is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. For Christians, Jesus Christ is First. The outcome of the program is a deeper faith commitment and desire to share the Good News of life in Christ. Watch for Alpha Information Night.