Lively discussions and new friendships all part of Alpha

By Wendy Shaw

Every time Vicar General and Launceston Parish Priest Fr Shammi Perera does an Alpha course, he discovers something new about his faith.

Fr Shammi explained that the ten-week evangelising course, now under way in the Launceston Parish, has broad appeal—for the ‘newbies’ wanting to know more about Christianity, for those returning to the faith, and “for every baptised Catholic who comes to church every Sunday”.

“I have done close to 20 Alphas and each time I find something new, something refreshing, something that energises my faith,” Fr Shammi reflected.

Faith, friendship and meaningful conversations over a shared meal are the hallmarks of the course that started at the Launceston Parish Pastoral Centre on 3 August and continued until 5 October. A special highlight was the Holy Spirit Weekend on 18 and 19 September at the Emmanuel Centre.

Some 40 people took part and Fr Shammi praised the positive response of parishioners who relished the lively conversations about the big questions of life and faith, meeting new people in a relaxed setting, and watching a video presentation.

“Alpha is based on three ‘Cs’—convivial, content and conversation,” Fr Shammi said.

“Convivial is the meal. Content is you watch some aspect of Christianity through a video which Alpha Australia has done, and then you have a cup of tea and coffee, and have a conversation.

“I have done Alpha with atheists, Buddhists, Muslims previously. In my experience, it is open for everybody.

“Every week is important.

“Last week we reflected on the topic, ‘How can I have faith?’ and the week before that, ‘Why did Jesus die?’ and next week ‘How can I pray?’ another week, ‘How can I read the Bible?’ ”

The next Alpha course in the Launceston Parish is pencilled in for around the middle of next year, possibly in home settings.