Members of the faithful attend an Alpha retreat held in the parish center at St. William Parish in Knottsville on March 28, 2026. COURTESY OF DR. JEFF ANDRINI

BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Alpha is a practical tool for evangelization used by thousands of Catholic parishes worldwide to introduce (or reintroduce) people to the core message of the Christian faith, known as the kerygma – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rather than acting as a formal, systematic theology class or catechism course, Alpha serves as a welcoming “on-ramp” to faith. It is designed for everyone: active parishioners looking to deepen their faith, lapsed Catholics, and those completely outside the Church. 

Alpha is an 11-week program, and each session is built around a simple, relaxed, three-part rhythm that lowers barriers and builds trust. 1) Connection (The Food): Every session begins with a shared meal or refreshments. Eating together breaks the ice, builds authentic community, and models radical hospitality. 2) Content (The Talk): Participants watch a high-quality, 30-minute video that explores a fundamental question of faith (e.g., “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?”, or “How does God guide us?”). 3) Conversation (The Small Group): Guests gather in small groups to share their thoughts. The golden rule of Alpha is that no question or opinion is off-limits, and there is no pressure or judgment. It is a space to voice doubts safely.

The Holy Spirit Retreat occurs after week seven where participants attend a day-long retreat focused entirely on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, which many describe as the turning point for personal transformation.

Alpha meets people right where they are, offering a uniquely personal impact focused on encounter over content. The sessions provide a safe space for questions and a rare, pressure-free environment to process their thoughts out loud. Finally, it awakens hearts, frequently revitalizing Catholics who have been going through the motions, turning routine attendance into active, personal faith.

Alpha is a catalyst for parish renewal in the following ways. It shifts from maintenance to mission by giving parishioners a simple, high-quality tool to confidently invite unchurched friends, family, or neighbors to church without it feeling confrontational. It builds a leadership pipeline, as guests who finish Alpha frequently return as small group hosts or helpers. This drastically increases parish engagement, transforming passive consumers into active volunteers. Finally, it fosters radical hospitality. By the welcoming, non-judgmental culture cultivated in Alpha sessions, this naturally spills over into the broader parish, changing how the community welcomes visitors on Sunday mornings.

Alpha is a wonderful starting point for ongoing adult faith formation. It focuses purely on the initial proclamation of the Gospel and serves as a powerful bridge to deeper Catholic programs, like the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), bible studies, and sacramental preparation.

Prayerfully consider forming a small team this fall and offering Alpha in your parish beginning in January 2027. The diocese will host a Retreat Day on March 20, 2027 at St. William Parish in Knottsville for all parishes participating in Alpha. Learn more at alpha.org and contact me for details.

Blessings,

Jeff

Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship. Contact him at [email protected].

Originally printed in the August 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.