“The Church is in the business of transforming lives”. This
was a foundational statement from Ron Huntley, who was recently in Sydney on 7 April
at Ryde-Gladesville Parish launching his new book, co-written with Fr James
Mallon, titled “Unlocking Your Parish,
Making Disciples, Raising Up Leaders with Alpha.”
Ron is part of the Divine Renovation Ministry, which arose
out of the impact of Fr James’ book, Divine
Renovation, and the experience of St Benedict’s Parish in Halifax, Canada.
This new book takes an in-depth look at Alpha and draws on
the many years of experience of running Alpha at St Benedict’s and how it has
been instrumental in changing the culture, in raising leaders, and in
transforming lives.
Parishioners from a number of parishes of the Diocese of
Broken Bay participated in this event: some had run Alpha over a number of
years; some were just about to launch Alpha in their parishes after Easter; and
others were considering Alpha for later this year. The Diocese of Broken Bay
hosted Ron in July 2018, and it was good to continue the conversation.
We all left inspired with the reason ‘why’ a tool such as
Alpha (which involves a meal, a talk and a discussion exploring the basics of
the Christian faith over 11 weeks, as well as a weekend away) was well worth
the effort and time to implement: its effectiveness in creating a space to
invite people into relationship with Jesus and the Church today so that it
makes a real difference to their lives. Ron shared many such stories he had
personally witnessed.
Ron told a joke about a teacher asking a student to explain
the difference between ignorance and indifference. The student repeatedly would
not answer the question, until in exasperation, she shouted, “I don’t know and
I don’t care!”
Ron was pointing out the difference between evangelisation
and catechesis. We sometimes handle people’s ‘indifference’ or ‘not caring’
with trying to impart more knowledge. What we should do, rather, is to give
them the reason for the knowledge, the reason to care. This reason is the
person of Jesus Christ, and when people come into relationship with Jesus in a
real way, everything changes for them. Then, they want to learn, and they want
to worship and serve. Alpha can be this evangelisation tool in our communities.
This book is a must-read for everyone running Alpha in a
Catholic parish. The wisdom it contains will ensure that Alpha is not just a
program for a select few, but a tool that can transform a parish into an
outreaching, invitational, welcoming community that truly transforms lives.