Parishes across the Diocese are increasingly turning to the Alpha ministry to reach people beyond the pews and offer a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ.
Originally developed by English Anglican priest Nicky Gumbel in the 1990s, Alpha has spread worldwide and is now running in more than 70,000 churches of different denominations. Catholic communities have embraced Alpha as a tool for evangelisation, parish renewal, community building and faith formation.
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a series of weekly interactive gatherings designed to create a safe, welcoming space for people to explore the Christian faith. Each session brings together three elements: sharing a meal, listening to a talk on the Christian faith, and engaging in conversation within small groups. Themes include ‘Who is Jesus?’, ‘Why did Jesus die?,’ and ‘Why and how do I pray?’.
Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton Alpha participants on their retreat day in August 2025. Image: supplied
Sr Colleen Foley, Alpha Group Leader at Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton, emphasised, “The buzz in the room during the discussion time shows that there is a spirited engagement, indicating a positive response to the valuable videos of the Alpha Film series.”
The welcoming, non-judgemental environment effectively engages people curious about Christianity, those returning after a time away, and practising Catholics seeking to deepen their faith.
A growing movement
As Australia faces an increasingly secular culture, Alpha is helping Catholic communities renew their missionary identity. For many parishes, it is not just a programme, but a culture shift, encouraging welcome, openness, and the joy of the Gospel.
Alpha has been running successfully across several parishes in the Diocese of Parramatta for years, with attendance rebounding to pre-COVID levels and beyond.
Many parishes use it as a “first step” in evangelisation, helping people encounter Christ personally before moving into catechesis, sacramental preparation, or parish ministries.
Fr John Nguyen OFM Cap, Assistant Parish Priest at Good Shepherd, Plumpton with an Alpha participant. Image: Supplied
Plumpton and Baulkham Hills embrace Alpha
Fr Gerard O’Dempsy OFM Cap, Parish Priest at Good Shepherd, Plumpton, said, “We’ve been getting between 50 and 55 people attending (full house) each week and they are all very enthusiastic.”
“We have a team of ten people, sourced from our Pastoral Planning Team. We are in the process of developing a follow up for the Alpha so that participants can continue to grow in faith and connect with one another.
“We are thinking about next year’s Alpha!”
Sr Colleen Foley added, “This is the third Alpha program we have had at Good Shepherd Parish.”
“The other two were before COVID. Because people loved it, they asked Fr Gerard if we could do it again, and it fits in well with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. So we are now in full sail, with 64 registered participants and 10 team members. Our parish priest, Fr Gerard, has been contributing greatly with his gourmet cooking skills, providing hot soups on cold nights.”
Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton Alpha participants on their retreat day in August 2025. Image: supplied
At Baulkham Hills Parish, the Alpha program has grown from 24 participants in 2019 to over 200 active participants. Despite COVID-19 challenges, team leaders persevered to keep the program running.
Steve Harrison, Alpha Program Leader at Baulkham Hills, said, “With over 200 participants in the program over the last six years, it has blossomed the parish’s community, many taking on active roles in our parish ministries.”
“So far, 58 people are currently serving across 18 ministries in our parish and this, we expect, will continue to grow.”
Stories of renewal
Participants often describe Alpha as transformative for their personal faith and connection to the parish community.
Gary, a participant at Plumpton, said, “I was invited to attend Alpha and I thought it was being presented by the Catholic Church on Catholic values but found it was evangelical. Even so, I found it interesting and enjoyed going each week. Interacting with fellow parishioners, sharing our views, each person having different perspectives on our religion, provided good conversations each week. The food was great. Father Gerard cooked up a storm.”
Participants of Alpha at the Parish of Baulkham Hills. Image: Supplied
Amanda, a participant at Baulkham Hills Parish, said, “Alpha came into my life at a time when I was at a crossroads with my faith.”
“It connected me to faith and my parish at a level I was not expecting but I am so nourished by.
“In the years after I have been involved in a few roles in Alpha and am grateful for the community it has built at St Michael’s.”
Maria Harrison, program leader at Baulkham Hills, emphasised, “We’ve seen first-hand how life-changing and life-giving Alpha is.”
Participants of Alpha at the Parish of Baulkham Hills. Image: Supplied
“We watch participants move subtly through the first few weeks of meeting as strangers and already knowing much of what is communicated, to using the videos and conversations to open their hearts to curiosity, to new relationships with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, to community and willingness to be involved.
“So many of our Alpha alumni are now in ministries across our parish… They truly know God’s presence in their life, and they enjoy everything about our faith more.
“I am so grateful to God for taking us on this journey. Alpha has been the most wonderful gift.”
This initiative underpins the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of community and formation, and supports the objectives of being an inclusive and welcoming Church. Visit Synodality to learn more.
Participants of Alpha at the Parish of Baulkham Hills. Image: Supplied
