ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

Michie · Jan 11, 2023

The latest rage within Catholic catechesis is a Protestant program called ALPHA. Several Catholic leaders, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, have promulgated the program within the church. The program should never be used within a Catholic context because it is a Protestant program that presents a watered-down version of the Gospel and the faith.

When our priest first introduced the program a few years ago to adults as a “study” and an evangelical method to invite those who were not Catholic to the church, I had no reservations. I trusted the program would be solid theology. I was wrong. The problem continued when the priest and Director of P.R.E. (Parish Religious Education) at our church (for which I was the teacher of the 7th grade first year confirmation class) instructed us to use the program as the curriculum for the class. It is a poor catechesis program which further causes youth and weak Catholics to leave the church.

The program has created a “Catholic” version of the series. The “Catholic” version is not Catholic at all. It is, in fact, the same series with an incomplete and false presentation of the faith. For example, the program only recognizes two Sacraments. It mentioned baptism and the Eucharist. The theology presented by the program teaches an inaccurate view of both sacraments. It teaches Baptism from the Protestant version. It ignores the forgiveness of original sin through baptism. It teaches the Eucharist as a representation of a historical event and not as the Real Presence, further causing more disbelief in the Real Presence within Catholics. Holy Communion is presented as something unaffiliated with church membership and is given to anyone who attends the retreat held halfway through the course.

Continued below.

ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

A popular Protestant program has infiltrated many parishes throughout the world, specifically this country, and is being utilized for catechesis within the church. ALPHA is dangerous and should not be used by the Catholic Church. As a former Protestant I see how it diminishes truth and theology...

www.catholic365.com

chevyontheriver · Jan 11, 2023

Michie said:
The latest rage within Catholic catechesis is a Protestant program called ALPHA. Several Catholic leaders, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, have promulgated the program within the church. The program should never be used within a Catholic context because it is a Protestant program that presents a watered-down version of the Gospel and the faith.

When our priest first introduced the program a few years ago to adults as a “study” and an evangelical method to invite those who were not Catholic to the church, I had no reservations. I trusted the program would be solid theology. I was wrong. The problem continued when the priest and Director of P.R.E. (Parish Religious Education) at our church (for which I was the teacher of the 7th grade first year confirmation class) instructed us to use the program as the curriculum for the class. It is a poor catechesis program which further causes youth and weak Catholics to leave the church.

The program has created a “Catholic” version of the series. The “Catholic” version is not Catholic at all. It is, in fact, the same series with an incomplete and false presentation of the faith. For example, the program only recognizes two Sacraments. It mentioned baptism and the Eucharist. The theology presented by the program teaches an inaccurate view of both sacraments. It teaches Baptism from the Protestant version. It ignores the forgiveness of original sin through baptism. It teaches the Eucharist as a representation of a historical event and not as the Real Presence, further causing more disbelief in the Real Presence within Catholics. Holy Communion is presented as something unaffiliated with church membership and is given to anyone who attends the retreat held halfway through the course.

Continued below.

ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

A popular Protestant program has infiltrated many parishes throughout the world, specifically this country, and is being utilized for catechesis within the church. ALPHA is dangerous and should not be used by the Catholic Church. As a former Protestant I see how it diminishes truth and theology...

www.catholic365.com

Also on Catholic365 is a rebuttal of this by another staff contributor who described her very positive experience. So it’s not cut and dried.

My own experience of it was mostly positive. But it needs a Beta and a Gamma and a Delta because on its own it isn’t sufficient as catechesis. But then it isn’t supposed to be the be all and end all of catechesis. It’s fine for what it does. But it isn’t by any means complete.

Michie · Jan 11, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Also on Catholic365 is a rebuttal of this by another staff contributor who described her very positive experience. So it’s not cut and dried.

My own experience of it was mostly positive. But it needs a Beta and a Gamma and a Delta because on its own it isn’t sufficient as catechesis. But then it isn’t supposed to be the be all and end all of catechesis. It’s fine for what it does. But it isn’t by any means complete.

Maybe an enhancement? A door to delve deeper?

chevyontheriver · Jan 11, 2023

Michie said:
Maybe an enhancement? A door to delve deeper?

Alpha needs some deliberately Catholic follow up. It needs a liturgical follow up and a sacramental follow up in particular.

Michie · Jan 11, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Alpha needs some deliberately Catholic follow up. It needs a liturgical follow up and a sacramental follow up in particular.

I agree from what I read. It does seem though, that the RCC is mini I gotta a lot in the Protestant world. I remember after I had converted it was Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life.

chevyontheriver · Jan 11, 2023

Michie said:
I agree from what I read. It does seem though, that the RCC is mini I gotta a lot in the Protestant world. I remember after I had converted it was Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life.

Can you explain that a bit more?

Michie · Jan 11, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Can you explain that a bit more?

There were study groups pouring over Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life that was approved by the priest at the time. I had a hard time understanding it at the then coming out of Protestantism but I guess the intent was to turn it into Catholic Purpose Driven Life. That was the gist of it. it kind of bothered me but being fresh out the Protestantism I had no interest in finding out more. I was still adjusting to Catholicism.

chevyontheriver · Jan 11, 2023

Michie said:
There were study groups pouring over Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life that was approved by the priest at the time. I had a hard time understanding it at the then coming out of Protestantism but I guess the intent was to turn it into Catholic Purpose Driven Life. That was the gist of it. it kind of bothered me but being fresh out the Protestantism I had no interest in finding out more. I was still adjusting to Catholicism.

That seems strange.

Michie · Jan 11, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
That seems strange.

The books were all over the Church. Being left for free, etc. It happened.

WarriorAngel · Jan 11, 2023

Michie said:
The latest rage within Catholic catechesis is a Protestant program called ALPHA. Several Catholic leaders, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, have promulgated the program within the church. The program should never be used within a Catholic context because it is a Protestant program that presents a watered-down version of the Gospel and the faith.

When our priest first introduced the program a few years ago to adults as a “study” and an evangelical method to invite those who were not Catholic to the church, I had no reservations. I trusted the program would be solid theology. I was wrong. The problem continued when the priest and Director of P.R.E. (Parish Religious Education) at our church (for which I was the teacher of the 7th grade first year confirmation class) instructed us to use the program as the curriculum for the class. It is a poor catechesis program which further causes youth and weak Catholics to leave the church.

The program has created a “Catholic” version of the series. The “Catholic” version is not Catholic at all. It is, in fact, the same series with an incomplete and false presentation of the faith. For example, the program only recognizes two Sacraments. It mentioned baptism and the Eucharist. The theology presented by the program teaches an inaccurate view of both sacraments. It teaches Baptism from the Protestant version. It ignores the forgiveness of original sin through baptism. It teaches the Eucharist as a representation of a historical event and not as the Real Presence, further causing more disbelief in the Real Presence within Catholics. Holy Communion is presented as something unaffiliated with church membership and is given to anyone who attends the retreat held halfway through the course.

Continued below.

ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

A popular Protestant program has infiltrated many parishes throughout the world, specifically this country, and is being utilized for catechesis within the church. ALPHA is dangerous and should not be used by the Catholic Church. As a former Protestant I see how it diminishes truth and theology...

www.catholic365.com

WarriorAngel · Jan 11, 2023

It teaches the Eucharist as a representation of a historical event and not as the Real Presence, further causing more disbelief in the Real Presence within Catholics. Holy Communion is presented as something unaffiliated with church membership and is given to anyone who attends the retreat held halfway through the course.

Bob Crowley · Jan 12, 2023

It is all very well criticising Alpha because it is not Catholic enough, but the church doesn't offer an alternative.

It's not meant to be a solid catechical class in theology, but is an attempt to get people to put their feet past the front door.

I've sat through a few of them at our Catholic parish. I don't have a problem, but my experience is that by and large it's preaching to the converted. The parishioners who attend Alpha are already committed Catholics. Our problem is evangelisation to those outside the church.

I think there's hope that it will be part of "Catholics returning home", but I think God's going to have make us a lot more uncomfortable before that happens in a big way in Australia.

When I was still Protestant I remember talking to a friend of ours (who is Baptist). He said he was doing some evangelising one day as part of a door knock campaign. He said it was hot, and the sweat was dripping off him.

He got to one attractive house and knocked. A voice told him to go around the back.

There was a bloke there in the shade stitting on a comfortable deck chair. He was sucking on a stubby (short bottle of beer) and lounging next to a swimming pool. In one of the driveways was a late model 4WD and an expensive boat on a trailer.

"What can I do for you" said the bloke.

The friend looked around, and then said wryly with his dry sense of humour "I'm supposed to be here to tell you what you're missing out on!"

The bloke laughed and let the friend go through his evangelical spiel. He didn't join of course - who needs God in his situation?

For any sort of revival to occur in Australia, Catholic or Protestant, God would have to make us a lot more uncomfortable first. I only became Christian myself when I was down in the doldrums.

At least the producers of Alpha are making an attempt.

narnia59 · Jan 12, 2023

Bob Crowley said:
It is all very well criticising Alpha because it is not Catholic enough, but the church doesn't offer an alternative.

It's not meant to be a solid catechical class in theology, but is an attempt to get people to put their feet past the front door.

I've sat through a few of them at our Catholic parish. I don't have a problem, but my experience is that by and large it's preaching to the converted. The parishioners who attend Alpha are already committed Catholics. Our problem is evangelisation to those outside the church.

I think there's hope that it will be part of "Catholics returning home", but I think God's going to have make us a lot more uncomfortable before that happens in a big way in Australia.

When I was still Protestant I remember talking to a friend of ours (who is Baptist). He said he was doing some evangelising one day as part of a door knock campaign. He said it was hot, and the sweat was dripping off him.

He got to one attractive house and knocked. A voice told him to go around the back.

There was a bloke there in the shade stitting on a comfortable deck chair. He was sucking on a stubby (short bottle of beer) and lounging next to a swimming pool. In one of the driveways was a late model 4WD and an expensive boat on a trailer.

"What can I do for you" said the bloke.

The friend looked around, and then said wryly with his dry sense of humour "I'm supposed to be here to tell you what you're missing out on!"

The bloke laughed and let the friend go through his evangelical spiel. He didn't join of course - who needs God in his situation?

For any sort of revival to occur in Australia, Catholic or Protestant, God would have to make us a lot more uncomfortable first. I only became Christian myself when I was down in the doldrums.

At least the producers of Alpha are making an attempt.

The Catholic Church does offer an alternative.

We started using a program called Sycamore that originated from a Newman Campus organization in London. It's a very basic overview of the faith. It starts more generically Christian faith --who is God, who is Jesus, what is the Bible etc but then moves into the sacraments. It is a very engaging set of videos with discussion questions built in. I've been thoroughly impressed and it is thoroughly Catholic in its presentation.

The model is built around a shared meal. We gather together, have a meal and then launch the program. About 2 hours in all. This year was our first attempt, we started in the fall, took a pretty extended break over the holidays but started back this week. We have about 70 people actively participating and the response has been amazing. They love the informal discussion, the fellowship and the program in general. They are also impressed we are feeding a meal to that large of a group. We had an wonderful group of parishioners step up who are doing meal prep for us onsite. We are also not taking donations for the meal because since we are using the program for outreach we did not want to have our hand out for money (although some serious private donations have been received).

Our first attempt here is primarily parishioners but we have about 10% who are not Catholic or Catholics who have been away from the Church for a while. We printed up some cards so you can hand them to a neighbor, family member, friend. We are hoping now that we have this base of people who have been through the program we will become more focused in using it as an outreach program to those who do not have a church family.

Oh and the program is completely free, although they do of course accept donations to help keep their ministry going. Seriously folks, check it out:

sycamore.fm

Videos are here:

Sycamore Films - Sycamore

The Film pages are open access until August 2020.

www.sycamore.fm

Oh, and the name comes from the Bible when Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so badly he climbed the Sycamore tree to get a look.

Pioneer3mm · Jan 12, 2023

Bob Crowley said:
For any sort of revival to occur in Australia, Catholic or Protestant, God would have to make us a lot more uncomfortable first.

Good point.
- Not just in Australia..
- North America, Europe..
---
I took Alpha course..many years ago.
- After each session, lunch was served!

BAChristian · Jan 12, 2023

Michie said:
There were study groups pouring over Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life that was approved by the priest at the time. I had a hard time understanding it at the then coming out of Protestantism but I guess the intent was to turn it into Catholic Purpose Driven Life. That was the gist of it. it kind of bothered me but being fresh out the Protestantism I had no interest in finding out more. I was still adjusting to Catholicism.

As a former Protestant, I can confirm that Purpose Driven Life is pretty much the end all be all of recommendations to read in modern Protestanism. It ranks right up there with the Left Behind series.

In regards to RCIA catechesis, it's my opinion that only clergy members (i.e. Deacons) should teach it. Most of the laity, unfortunately, do not understand their own faith let alone have the proper Catholic education to teach converts.

I'm not trying to be negative or insulting -- it's just the way I've always experienced it.

Gnarwhal · Jan 12, 2023

Michie said:
The latest rage within Catholic catechesis is a Protestant program called ALPHA. Several Catholic leaders, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, have promulgated the program within the church. The program should never be used within a Catholic context because it is a Protestant program that presents a watered-down version of the Gospel and the faith.

When our priest first introduced the program a few years ago to adults as a “study” and an evangelical method to invite those who were not Catholic to the church, I had no reservations. I trusted the program would be solid theology. I was wrong. The problem continued when the priest and Director of P.R.E. (Parish Religious Education) at our church (for which I was the teacher of the 7th grade first year confirmation class) instructed us to use the program as the curriculum for the class. It is a poor catechesis program which further causes youth and weak Catholics to leave the church.

The program has created a “Catholic” version of the series. The “Catholic” version is not Catholic at all. It is, in fact, the same series with an incomplete and false presentation of the faith. For example, the program only recognizes two Sacraments. It mentioned baptism and the Eucharist. The theology presented by the program teaches an inaccurate view of both sacraments. It teaches Baptism from the Protestant version. It ignores the forgiveness of original sin through baptism. It teaches the Eucharist as a representation of a historical event and not as the Real Presence, further causing more disbelief in the Real Presence within Catholics. Holy Communion is presented as something unaffiliated with church membership and is given to anyone who attends the retreat held halfway through the course.

Continued below.

ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

A popular Protestant program has infiltrated many parishes throughout the world, specifically this country, and is being utilized for catechesis within the church. ALPHA is dangerous and should not be used by the Catholic Church. As a former Protestant I see how it diminishes truth and theology...

www.catholic365.com

Correct, it absolutely should not. I checked Alpha out once about 15 years ago just to see if it was something I'd ever recommend to a new believer, and I walked away thinking "wow that was oversimplified trash." Even as a protestant. It has no business in Christianity at all, especially Catholicism.

Now if someone wants to develop a Catholic equivalent, something that's conceptually similar but does a better job catechizing from a Catholic standpoint that's a great idea. Heck, maybe I'll do it myself.

But Alpha's bad for everyone, it's very reductionistic and for people who don't know better it risks setting them up for failure by marginalizing some important things.

Erose · Jan 12, 2023

BAChristian said:
As a former Protestant, I can confirm that Purpose Driven Life is pretty much the end all be all of recommendations to read in modern Protestanism. It ranks right up there with the Left Behind series.

In regards to RCIA catechesis, it's my opinion that only clergy members (i.e. Deacons) should teach it. Most of the laity, unfortunately, do not understand their own faith let alone have the proper Catholic education to teach converts.

I'm not trying to be negative or insulting -- it's just the way I've always experienced it.

Sadly there are priests and deacons out there that are not qualified to teach catechism. In 2021, Pope Francis in his moto proprio called Antiquum Ministerium reinstituted the ministry of the Catechist. Maybe in time that will bear fruit by providing parishes with qualified catechists.

narnia59 · Jan 12, 2023

spicoli said:
Correct, it absolutely should not. I checked Alpha out once about 15 years ago just to see if it was something I'd ever recommend to a new believer, and I walked away thinking "wow that was oversimplified trash." Even as a protestant. It has no business in Christianity at all, especially Catholicism.

Now if someone wants to develop a Catholic equivalent, something that's conceptually similar but does a better job catechizing from a Catholic standpoint that's a great idea. Heck, maybe I'll do it myself.

But Alpha's bad for everyone, it's very reductionistic and for people who don't know better it risks setting them up for failure by marginalizing some important things.

I just said up there ^^ that there is a very good Catholic equivalent in my opinion.

Check out some of the videos (only about 20 minutes each). Try the one on the Eucharist for example and tell me what you think.

Gnarwhal · Jan 12, 2023

narnia59 said:
I just said up there ^^ that there is a very good Catholic equivalent in my opinion.

I thought there might be as I typed my reply.

chevyontheriver · Jan 12, 2023

spicoli said:
Correct, it absolutely should not. I checked Alpha out once about 15 years ago just to see if it was something I'd ever recommend to a new believer, and I walked away thinking "wow that was oversimplified trash." Even as a protestant. It has no business in Christianity at all, especially Catholicism.

Now if someone wants to develop a Catholic equivalent, something that's conceptually similar but does a better job catechizing from a Catholic standpoint that's a great idea. Heck, maybe I'll do it myself.

But Alpha's bad for everyone, it's very reductionistic and for people who don't know better it risks setting them up for failure by marginalizing some important things.

I take a far less dim view of Alpha. It is an incomplete thing, and I have maintained that it needs a follow-up because of its incompleteness. But I think it has it’s place.

You won’t remember ‘Renew’ which was a mid 1980’s thing. Fully approved by US hierarchy. It was sort of mush. And I can’t say it actually did much good. But my role in my old parish was to implement it. And I did and we ran it as well as any parish did.

Then there was some other big program in maybe the late 1990’s. I can’t even remember the name of that one. It was all hierarchically approved. But as I said I can’t even remember the name of it.

Point is there have been ‘Catholic’ programs that have been totally meh. Alpha, not perfect, is no worse than those and maybe a bit better.

It’s got flaws, mostly in that liturgy and sacraments are ignored. Maybe Sycamore does better. For now I think parishes are not crazy to use Alpha but they better supplement it to bring it up to Catholic standards.

ALPHA should never be used in the Catholic Church

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