What Catholic Leaders are Saying
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Archbishop Rino Fisichella
President for the Pontifical Office for the New Evangelization, Archibishop Fisichella speaks about Alpha. |
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Fr. James Mallon
Pastor and founder of the JP II Media Institute and creator of Catholicism 201 talks about his extensive experience with Alpha and parish life.
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Matthew Kelly
Catholic author and international speaker, Matthew Kelly talks about Alpha's impact on Church renewal.
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USCCB - Catechetical Sunday Article - Alpha for Catholics
"One of the Best Evangelization Methods and Resources
Available for Parish Outreach"
Bishops, Cardinals and other officials
 Alpha for Catholics is featured on United States Conference of Catholic Bishops web site.
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Archbishop Rino Fisichella
President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization
Archbishop Rino Fisichella was interviewed by Salt and Light TV president (Canada) and made these comments recently.
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Q: ‘You are in a good vantage point to look out over the world and you see, probably more than anybody else, the places where there are expressions of the New Evangelization that are concrete, that are clear, inviting, and beautiful... What would be some of those places in your mind where you see the New Evangelization at work?
A: [Gives the example of FOCUS (fellowship of Catholic university students), and then ... 'I can tell you for instance, present in France, in Britain, starting also in Latin America and in the States, probably also in Canada, there is so-called Alpha Course. Alpha Course is a new way of announcing the gospel.'
Archbishop Octavio Ruiz
Secretary for the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization
"The Alpha course, which I have had the opportunity to attend…is a providential tool because it precisely tries to reach out to those who are far from the Church, who are indifferent to the faith. By means of a very simple and humane tool based on fraternity and friendship, Christ is introduced to them and enters little by little into their hearts."
Hear more >>
Archbishop Octavio Ruiz, spoke at Alpha International Week 2011
Bishop Michael Byrnes, Archdiocese of Detroit, Auxiliary Bishop
"Not only is Alpha an effective means to introduce people to an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, it is an opportunity to find out who are the evangelists in your parish. It is becoming increasingly common that parishes establish "evangelization committees;" but, as a good friend of mine said, "Committees are fine, but what we really need are evangelists." Put on an Alpha course in your parish, and you will find your evangelists."
Walter Cardinal Kasper
Pontificium Consilium Ad Christanorum Unitatem Fovendam
"John Paul II encouraged us as Christians... not to relent in the task of the new evangelisation... The Alpha course sees itself as committed to exactly this task." Read More >>
Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Former Archbishop of St. Paul - Minneapolis
"Over the past few years, I have been eagerly watching the impact of Alpha all over the world."
Most Reverend Howard Hubbard
Bishop of Albany, New York
"The Alpha Program offers an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel message in a non-threatening, friendly environment."
His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFMCap
Archbishop of Boston
"Many of our Catholic parishioners have benefited from the Alpha program by way of its building on their initial interest in the Church, as a pre-catechumenate experience, or for others, a renewal of their desire to more deeply understand and live their Catholic faith. Life-long faith formation is a priority for our religious education programs and I am grateful for the efforts of those who seek to assist with this important work. Should pastors of our parishes wish to utilize the Alpha program as part of their religious education curriculum they can do so with my approval."
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
Preacher to the Papal Household
“. . . we need a new evangelization which, while being open to all the fullness of the truth and the Christian life, will yet be simple and basic. This is the reason why I look with interest and appreciation to the Alpha Course. It seems to me that it answers precisely this need of ours. The very name shows this. It is not called “Alpha and Omega course” but simply “Alpha Course” because it doesn’t claim to lead people from beginning to end in faith; only to help them get acquainted with it, to foster a personal encounter with Jesus, leaving it to other Church departments to develop the newly rekindled faith.”
This quote is taken from "Faith which Overcomes the World" Fr. Cantalamessa's opening address - International Alpha Conference, and is available at the Alpha Store.
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