Over two inspiring days in Sydney, the Alpha Catholic Conference ignited the faith of more than 200 Catholics from across Australia, in a celebration of formation, fellowship, and expert guidance. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Attendees were equipped and energised to deepen their faith and boldly transform their parishes and communities.
Themed “The Way of Hope,” the conference – held at the Liverpool Catholic Club on October 31 and November 1 – embraced Alpha’s signature approach of content, connection, and conversation to ignite faith, equip leaders, and renew hearts.
“We’re here to be encouraged for the mission that Christ has given us,” said organiser, Tania Rimac, from the Parish Renewal Team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation and leader of Alpha in a Catholic Context in NSW.
“We’ve all gathered from across Australia to come to share in this witness of being Christ’s disciples. And sometimes we need a little bit of courage, and we get that from each other,” she said.
For some, the conference was a chance to renew a well-established mission; for others, it was an invitation to begin one.
Tania Chahoud, who has led several successful Alpha programs in her parish in Enfield, came to recharge and reignite her commitment to serve.
“In order to be able to nourish others, I need to be nourished as well. That’s my fuel to bring others to the faith,” she said.
It was a feast of inspiration for both current and emerging leaders, as influential voices took the stage.
Among them was Bishop Michael Gielen from Christchurch, New Zealand, who opened the conference with a keynote address on the theme “The Way of Hope”.
Focusing his message on the call to evangelisation, he challenged attendees to reflect deeply on the questions, “Who are you having the conversation with about Christ and evangelisation? Who is your why?”
Bishop Gielen shared the moving story of a young man whose life was transformed through Alpha, from battling addiction to becoming a community leader, illustrating the profound, life-changing power of faith.
“It’s all about Jesus,” he reminded the audience.
FULL STORY
Catholics gather at the Alpha Conference to embrace ‘The Way of Hope’ (By Darren Ally, The Catholic Weekly)
