Alpha

Daytime course at Holy Family, Brantham

Register Daytime Course

Sessions begin Thursdays at 2.30pm

• 30th April 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 7th May 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 15th May 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 21st May 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 4th June 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 11th June 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 18th June 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 20th June 10:00am - 4:00pm Holy Spirit Saturday
• 25th June 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 2nd July 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 9th July 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 16th July 2:30pm - 4:00pm
• 22nd July 7:30pm - 9:00pm Celebration meal

Evening course at St. Mark’s

Register Evening Course

Sessions begin Wednesdays at 7.30pm with a hot meal

• 29th April 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 6th May 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 13th May 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 20th May 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 3rd June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 10th June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 17th June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 20th June 10:00am - 4:00pm Holy Spirit Saturday
• 24th June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 1st July 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 8th July 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 15th July 7:30pm - 9:00pm
• 22nd July 7:30pm - 9:00pm Celebration meal

Not Just an Hour on Sunday

We know the rhythm of parish life: Sunday Mass, a few familiar faces, maybe a coffee afterwards. But Jesus didn’t call us to be part-time disciples—He called us to follow Him with our whole lives.

Alpha is your invitation to go deeper.

Whether you’ve been Catholic all your life or are just beginning to ask questions, Alpha offers a space to explore the foundations of our faith in a relaxed, open, and welcoming environment.

This is not a theology class or a lecture series. It’s a space for real conversation—about life, meaning, and faith in Jesus Christ. We eat together, we watch a short film, and we talk honestly in small groups. It’s simple, but it’s powerful.

Choose the time that works best for you—

We’re running both lunchtime and evening sessions, held in different parishes but open to everyone across all our communities. You’re not limited by geography—just come where it suits you best.

By signing up, you’re not just joining a course.

You’re stepping into a life of discipleship.

You’re responding to the call Jesus gives all of us:

“Come, follow Me.”

Let’s grow together—beyond Sunday.

St Mark’s (With Holy Family Brantham) and St Mary Magdalen parish policy on the use of the Alpha Course

At St Mark’s and St Mary Magdalen’s the Alpha course is central to our pastoral strategy for the renewal and life of the parish. Alpha encourages us to be missionary disciples, outward looking, inviting others to come and meet Jesus in the fullness of our Catholic faith. It is hoped that everyone in the parish will have the opportunity to participate in at least one Alpha course over the next three years and all are encouraged to actively invite non-Christians and lapsed Catholic friends and neighbours to attend a course.

Alpha covers the fundamental basics of Christian belief including: the existence of God, who Jesus is, how Jesus saves us, God as a Trinity of persons, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the life of the Christian. Preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion) require this foundational knowledge, thus anyone preparing for these sacraments will ordinarily be expected to participate in the Alpha course. * In the case of children/young people preparing for First Holy Communion or Confirmation, the expectation is that one or more parents or guardians complete the Alpha course. This is largely for two reasons; firstly, as the primary educators of their children in the faith it is imperative that parents have a firm grasp of what is to be taught to their children. Secondly it reinforces the idea that faith is shared within a family, and in the case of Confirmation demonstrates a shared commitment between parent and child in preparation for the sacrament.

Alpha and the Catholic Church

The Alpha Course started from within the Anglican tradition at the Church of Holy Trinity Brompton in London in 1977. It has since been translated into over 100 languages and is run by various Christian communities and churches around the world, including the Catholic church.

In his 2013 letter Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis stressed “the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the center of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal” (para 164).

The kerygma is the basic proclamation of the gospel, it is Catholic to say Jesus has saved me, Jesus is risen from the dead and alive and Jesus sends his Holy Spirit.

The Alpha course is not a complete Catechesis (teaching) on the Catholic faith, nor is it designed to be, rather it is presentation of the basic gospel message which gives space for people to reflect, learn and remind themselves of what it means to believe in God, and know that Jesus has come to save us.

The Alpha course is, then, thoroughly Catholic at its core and it is a well-established tool, used successfully by Catholic parishes and other Christians across the world for doing exactly what Pope Francis is advocating – introducing people to the person of Jesus Christ and helping them develop a personal relationship with him through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is centered on welcome and hospitality, sharing and prayer. Each session includes a meal, a talk and small group discussion, where no question is too simple.

Although used by many Christians, the Alpha course features input from Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, uses illustrations from the lives of the saints: St Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St Maxamilian Kolbe as well as drawing on quotes from Pope St John Paul II and Pope Francis.

The parish priest, Fr Luke Goymour, has participated in several Alpha courses and has previously run Alpha at St John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral Norwich, as well as here at St Mark’s and St Mary Magdalen Ipswich. As part of the renewal of the parish, Alpha in a Catholic context is key to his pastoral strategy and vision.

* The parish priest reserves the right to adapt the form and structure of the course in individual personal circumstances.