Alpha for Youth is a relational program on intentional discipleship; basically it is a chance for our students to gather with peers of a similar age and explore their faith, raise questions and doubts they may have and grow in fellowship and friendship over a meal and discussion.

The Alpha for Youth Program has been running during Term 2 on a Wednesday afternoon after school from 3:30 – 5:00pm in our new Kirk Street classrooms. Over 30 Year 9 & 10 students from Mercy and St Pius X College have participated in the program which has been led by Miss Charisse Gange and Mr Adrian Brannan, the Youth Ministry Coordinators from the respective Colleges. We have also had five peer leaders from Mercy College, who completed the program in 2017, lead small group discussions for each of the sessions.

Each afternoon began with an afternoon tea and a series of fun games and icebreakers. The students then watched a short inspirational video during which there was an opportunity to have a group discussion in response to a series of question on topics such as: Who is Jesus? Why should I pray? How do I read the Bible? What do I really believe? What about the Church? and How and why should I tell others?

On Wednesday the Alpha participants had the opportunity to be involved in the Alpha Retreat Day which had a special focus on the Holy Spirit. Students were invited to pray and to call the Holy Spirit into their life to fill them with the spiritual gifts and fruits that the spirit has to offer, bringing peace, joy and God’s love into their hearts. Fr. Jim our Parish Priest also spent the day with our Alpha Group to facilitate discussion, pray for our students and celebrate Mass at the end of the day.

The Alpha for Youth Program has been a huge success and an amazing opportunity for students to build relationships, explore their Christian faith and to ask the big questions they have about life. I would like to thank Mrs Kate Vaccher a Mercy College parent and Ms Jan Hunter from OLD Parish for their generosity and support by providing the delicious afternoon tea for our Alpha group each week. I would also like to thank Mr Adrian Brannan Youth Ministry Coordinator from St Pius and Miss Charisse Gange from Mercy College for leading the program and supervising and facilitating discussion.