St Pancras Catholic Church
1 Orwell Place
Ipswch
IP4 1BD
Tel. 01473 252 596
Parish Administrator: Fr Joseph Welch
St Mary's Catholic Church
322 Woodbridge Road
Ipswich
IP4 4BD
Tel. 01473 728115
Parish Priest: Fr Alfonso-Jude Belnas
Streamed services can be followed here.
St James' Catholic Church
482 Lanseer Road
Ipswich
IP3 9LU
Tel: 01473 726701
Parish Priest: Rev Thomas Parakandathil (Syro Malabar Chaplain)
Explore the Christian faith together.
Please sign up for one of the course times below—either lunchtime or evening—whichever works best for you. Although the courses are held in different parishes, you’re welcome to attend whichever time suits your schedule best. Your sign-up helps us plan and cater appropriately.
Register Daytime Course
Sessions begin Thursdays at 2.30pm
Register Evening Course
Sessions begin Wednesdays at 7.30pm with a hot meal
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.
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.
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.
To be prayed slowly and meditatively:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
†
God our Father,
we give you thanks and praise for calling us to share in the fullness of life and love that Jesus won for us.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon our parish community.
Changed by your Spirit, may we become a community of disciples, attentive to the needs of all who come through our doors, and even those who don’t.
We pray for your blessing upon every person in our parish community, and on all who live in and around our parish.
May they know your love, your presence, and your power in their lives.
For all who are struggling at this moment, we ask that you enter their lives and lift them.
May our parish become a place of adoration,
where the hungry are fed, the sick are healed, the bereaved are comforted, and all are made whole.
Soften our hearts to your will.
Make us open to what you desire to do in and through our parish, and give us the courage and strength to follow your call.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen
As a parish, in this Jubilee Year, we are embarking on a heartfelt prayer campaign. Our mission is to ask God to renew us, renew our parish, and renew those in our community who have yet to experience His love.
We want everyone to recognise that through Jesus Christ, we can have a real, lasting, and personal relationship with God.
Each week, on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 6:30 am to 7:30 am, we will gather to pray silently in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
During this sacred hour, we implore God to pour out His Spirit afresh on our communities, so that all who live in and around our churches will come to know His love and feel welcomed in our parish family.
To support this campaign, we have a special parish prayer that we invite everyone to pray regularly.
It is not just a prayer to read and forget, but one we are called to pray with sincerity, making it a genuine part of our spiritual life.
We all have a role as prayer-missionaries, lifting up people and their needs to God in prayer.
If you cannot join us for morning Adoration, you can still take part in this prayer campaign from home.
Setting aside even a small amount of time to pray intentionally for the parish is a powerful way to contribute.
You may wish to pray during the designated hour, uniting spiritually with those at Adoration, or you can pray at any time.
Every prayer is valuable, no matter how brief. You don’t have to pray for the full hour—just pray as much as you are able.Making Prayer a Priority
Incorporating this prayer into daily life is key to the renewal of our parish.
Whether you pray during the designated hour or at another time, your commitment strengthens our collective prayer as a parish.
Every prayer—no matter how short—contributes to our mission of bringing God’s love to our community and renewing our parish.
Let us come together in prayer and unity, seeking to renew our parish and reach those who have yet to experience God’s love.
Through our prayers, may we create a welcoming and spiritually vibrant community for all.
As we journey together in this time of renewal, creating a dedicated space for prayer in our homes can help us remain rooted in God’s presence and united as a parish community. In this next section, you will find practical guidance on how to set up a simple and peaceful prayer space, along with helpful steps for praying our Parish Mission Prayer with intention and reflection. Whether you are new to regular prayer or deepening an existing practice, this space and prayer will support you in drawing closer to God and participating fully in our shared mission of faith.Creating Your Prayer Space
Silent prayer and meditation is a sacred practice that draws our hearts and minds into deeper communion with the God who loves us utterly and completely. Through this time of stillness, we open ourselves to His presence and allow His peace to fill us. Here is a practical guide to help you gently settle your mind and enter into silent prayer:
Silent prayer is a journey that deepens with faithful practice. By regularly setting aside time to quiet your mind and connect with God, you will cultivate a greater sense of peace and a stronger, more intimate relationship with Him.
Silent prayer is a sacred practice that allows us to deepen our spiritual connection with God.
Silent prayer is a journey that deepens with practice. By setting aside regular time to quiet your mind and connect with God, we grow in peace and intimacy with Him.
May we, as a parish, renew our hearts in prayer and draw others into God’s love.
Imagery from https://westcoastcatholic.co/
]]>St. Mark's Roman Catholic Parish with Holy Family Brantham is a vibrant and welcoming community of faith. We are a parish of two churches, St. Mark's in Ipswich and Holy Family in Brantham. We are part of the Diocese of East Anglia.
Our website is currently being updated. Please check back soon for more information.
Catch up on all the homilies preached by Fr Luke Goymour at St Mark’s Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Church and St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Church.
Join Us in Missional Prayer
Be part of our parish’s renewal through prayer. Visit the Missional Prayer page to access the parish prayer and commit to praying for our community and the world.
I have now put together the five homilies preached as a teaching on the Eucharist as a booklet. As a personal gift from me, a free copy is available for each household, please do take one.
Fr Luke Goymour
Additional copies are available from: The Great British Bookshop and Amazon.
