Equipping your parish in its mission to help people encounter Jesus

Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about Jesus.

Impacting Catholics Worldwide

We estimate that in 2021 alone, more than 4,000 Catholic parishes and organizations globally ran Alpha reaching an estimated 279,238 participants. Watch this short video to see more about the impact being felt around the world when Catholic organizations partner with Alpha.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a parish tool for evangelization where everyone is welcome. The same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, sharing the good news of Jesus.

What We Do

Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. 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.  

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Each session has three key ingredients:

Connection

Whether it’s a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table or a quick online catch-up, times of connecting are important. All sessions start with a time of connection—over a meal in person, or virtually with a favorite beverage—to relax and build friendships.

Content

The Alpha talks are designed to engage people from all walks of life and inspire conversation. They explore the big issues of life and 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?”

Conversation

One of the most important parts of any Alpha is the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic in a small group format. Guests hear from others and have an opportunity to contribute/share in a judgment-free environment.

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Jeff and Amanda’s Story

Watch other stories

Alpha offers a very human, nonthreatening door for everyone to enter. I encourage people to try this model of evangelization.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle,
Archbishop of Manila

Alpha is not a silver bullet; it’s a tool. When used as part of a larger pastoral strategy, it is the best tool that I’ve found for jump-starting and sustaining parish renewal.

Fr James Mallon,
Author and founder of Divine Renovation

We have lost the art of evangelizing those who don’t know the gospel at all. Alpha is re-training us how to do that.

Doctor Mary Healy,
Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit

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Parish Impact

Alpha in the life of your parish

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Catholic Stories

Watch stories of transformation

Watch Stories

Endorsements

See who recommends Alpha

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After Alpha

Alpha is just the beginning. Once guests experience Alpha, they understand who Jesus is and can start to explore their relationship with him.

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Questions about running Alpha in the Catholic context?

Contact us!

Joshua Danis

National Director
Alpha USA, Catholic Context

    Monica Martinez

    Associate Director
    Alpha USA, Catholic Context

      Name Alpha USA in your Will

      If you are writing your will for the first time, revising your existing plans, or own investment or retirement accounts or life insurance policies, please consider including Alpha USA among your charitable beneficiaries. In your will, you can name Alpha USA the beneficiary of a set amount, a percentage of your estate, or a percentage of your residual estate after you have taken care of your loved ones. If you have already written your will, it is usually very easy to create a codicil, or amendment, to your will. A codicil with specific changes, witnessed and notarized, is typically accepted into probate with the original will. If you need specific language to include in your will, contact the Vice President of Development at 1-800-362-5742 or kylewallace@alphausa.org.

      Annuities and Other Life Income Gifts

      Alpha USA can help you establish a charitable gift annuity that will pay you or a loved one an annual income for life. The remainder of the investment, when you no longer need it, goes to Alpha USA.

      If you are a younger donor, a deferred gift annuity can help you plan for your retirement. By investing now and deferring the start of income payments until you reach retirement age, your initial investment has more time to grow.

      In either case, the donor receives a tax deduction for part of the initial investment, plus a guaranteed revenue stream that is partially tax-free. Alpha USA receives the remainder. Each charitable gift annuity is unique to the circumstances of the donor. To learn more, discuss your options, or receive a customized annuity illustration, please contact the Vice President of Development at 1-800-362-5742 or kylewallace@alphausa.org.

      IRA and Stock Gifts

      Owners of Individual Retirement Accounts must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions at age 70 1⁄2. After that, a permanent tax provision allows you to make gifts to Alpha USA and other qualified charities directly from your IRA. These gifts are subtracted from your Required Minimum Distributions and do not count as revenue on your taxes. Because this type of gift actually reduces your income, it offers tax benefits even if you do not itemize your deductions.

      Giving stock directly to Alpha USA may allow you to increase your gift and your tax deduction. When you give stock shares, you generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value, which may be more than your original investment. Giving stock may offer significant advantage over giving cash, or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds.

      Please contact Finance at 1-800-362-5742 and let us know the type of stock and the number of shares you plan to donate. This will allow us to properly track your donation and ensure that it is transferred correctly and that you are properly credited and acknowledged.

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