|
Are discussion groups divided according to age?
Yes, a conscious effort is made to ensure that participants are placed in groups with people in a similar age-bracket.
Is there a charge for attending the course?
No, the course is free, but participants are free to offer a donation to cover the cost of the meals. A fee will be charged to cover the cost of accommodation and meals during the weekend retreat held midway through the course.
Is the course conducted in English or in Maltese?
The talks are delivered in English, however, participants are given the choice to join either an English-speaking or Maltese-speaking discussion group.
If I register for the morning course but wish to attend some of the evening sessions instead, would this be possible?
Yes, this is possible. We understand that work and personal commitments sometimes require a measure of flexibility, even though, as far as possible, we encourage people to stick to either the morning or evening sessions. This obviously also applies for people attending the evening course who wish to attend morning sessions occasionally.
If I attend an introductory session, do I necessarily have to attend the course?
No, the aim of the introductory session is to give you a taste of what the course is all about. You can then decide whether to attend or not.
Do I necessarily need to register before the course begins?
No, feel free to simply turn up at the introductory session. You can then sign up once you’re there. You can also sign up on the first session of the course.
If I am a regular churchgoer and consider my relationship with Jesus to be a priority in my life, is this course suitable for me?
Alpha is a basic course, generally aimed at non-churchgoers, lapsed Christians and persons seeking to discover more about their faith. Committed Christians are free to attend to brush up the basics, but after evaluating the particular case, we sometimes recommend more suited pastoral courses.
Is the course only open just to Catholics?
No, the course is open to anyone who wants to know more about Christianity. However, it is important to note that the course is run in a Catholic context, with due importance given to teachings of the Catholic Church.
Is attendance at the meal mandatory?
No, it is not mandatory but it is highly recommended as participants normally use this time to unwind and relax while getting to know each other.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes, once we are informed from beforehand.
Who is Alpha for?
Everyone is welcome on Alpha … young and old.
People attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. But maybe the principal reason why people attend is to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives today.
What's involved?
The evening Alpha course begins with supper, followed by a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", “Why and how should I pray” and "Does God Still Heal Today?". Participants then divide into smaller groups to discuss any questions raised from the talk.
The same happens during the morning Alpha course, only that the session kicks off with breakfast.
There is a weekend retreat midway through the course, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
When and where?
The Alpha course runs once a week for ten weeks, either on Tuesday mornings or on Thursday evenings at the Ibrag Parish Centre (click here for map). There is also a weekend away mid-way through the course.
For more information on the next course please visit our course schedule.
| 
