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Bishop. R Orsmond
The Holy Father appealed for a New Evangelization and the Jubilee Year was part of that. But the work of evangelization goes on. This new millenium calls for a new energy, a new thrust for evangelization. I remind you of the words of Evangelii Nunciandi, 'the Church exists to evangelize' and as the present Holy Father says 'For the disciple of Christ to evangelize is an obligation of love'.

Looking at our present situation I would have to say, as do many others, that we are more into Church maintenance than into church expansion or outreach or simply direct evangelization. I can you say 'but we have no time'. True but we are in the period of collaborative ministry whereby the laity should have a deeper and more personal involvement in the work of evangelization. They have to be empowered for their share in the mission of Jesus. And many want to.

It is interesting to note that last November the Holy Father presided over a Jubilee Congress in Rome on the Lay Apostolate. 600 delegates from round the world attended and their theme was "THE LAITY WILL BE THE MISSIONARIES OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM". It reinforces the need to help laity to do what the Church expects of them. Remember that one of the roles of the priests is to be a catalyst, to empower people and create for them opportunities for the exercise of their God-given gifts, and not to be an obstacle.

For this reason I encourage as many of you as possible to attend the Alpha Conference which will take place in the Rosebank Union Church on Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week (April 9/10). You may recall I opened such a Conference in Cathedral Place some years ago. This particular programme is spreading rapidly within the Catholic Church worldwide. [Read the full invitation from Bishop. R Orsmond, 20 January 2001]

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"Alpha appeals because it revives in all of us Christians

the need to make Christ known;

the need to bring him to wherever we are;

the need to bring the whole world under his sway."

Bishop Orsmond [read more]
Diocese of Johannesburg May 1999

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. People of all ages are welcome.

Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.

People meeting together. Sharing ideas and supper gives people an opportunity to get to know each other.

Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the talks.

Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile.

Testimonies of people who have completed the Alpha seminar.

Visit the Catholic Alpha website

Consult the following online Alpha websites to find out more about Alpha:-

Other online references

ALPHA COURSES Click here from PE Church Net South Africa
www.catholic.org - Catholic Online
www.cofs.org.uk - Church of Scotland
www.tasc.ac.uk/cc - Catholic Church of England and Wales
www.church-of-england.org - Church of England
www.pioneer.org.uk - Pioneer Online
www.vineyard.org - Association of Vineyard Churches

For a list of Alpha seminars being run in various Parishes, please consult our seminar directory.

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