YOUTH ALPHA Course
Engage Youth
Alpha is a 9-week series that makes it easy for you to create a space where youth will be excited to engage in conversations about faith.
Small Group Discipleship
Parrhesia Catholic will provide support and mentorship for all your small group leaders.
Pre-Confirmation Prep
Prepare youth and leaders for a Confirmation journey towards discipleship.
Youth ALPHA Course - FAQ
Who?
High School youth preparing for Confirmation this year or next
Any middle school youth that wants to receive sacraments
What?
The Youth ALPHA course (90 minute Session on Sunday Night) is designed to engage your youth in a dynamic online course that introduces the powerful possibility of a relationship with God. ALPHA is a 9-week series that makes it easy for you to help youth get excited about engaging conversations about faith.
* This is NOT a full replacement for Confirmation preparation, but rather a way to start evangelization with the Kergyma and help parishes get ministry off the ground given the Covid restrictions.
The training and facilitation that Parrhesia Catholic (in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Portland) provides will make it easy for your parish to continue ministry online or in-person after this course is completed. Your parish will have the tools needed to build a culture of discipleship and small group ministry in your parish.
When?
Sunday Nights @7p-8:30p
Fall: Oct. 11 - Dec. 13 (no class Nov 29)
Parish Retreat: Saturday Nov. 21--Tentative (check with parish)
Where?
Online meeting facilitated by Janell Hoekstra, Parrhesia Catholic
Small Group meetings scheduled by parishes using parish small group leaders
Why?
In these challenging days, more than ever before, youth are asking big questions about life and meaning.
- Are you creating an online space for them to wrestle with their big questions?
- Are you helping them connect with each other and with God?
- Where are they turning for hope and answers?
- What could happen if you created a place for them to discover what a relationship with Jesus looks like?
How?
Sign up below after reading FAQ document, Partnership Expectations, and Schedule.
Partnership Expectations
Parrhesia Catholic/Archdiocese Role:
- Training: will provide small group leader training before the kickoff (see schedule)
- ALPHA Youth Series on Zoom: Parrhesia Catholic will work with all parishes to ensure a smooth transfer from the large group experience to the small group meeting.
- Weekly Communication with Parish SG Leaders via email reviewing the week and preparing for the next session.
- Weekly Leader Check In and Discipleship Training on Zoom: during Wednesday Lunch hour for Small Group Leaders to check in and continue discipleship training. October 7th- December 16th 12:30-1:30pm
- Retreat Support: Training and resources for parish leaders to facilitate their own retreat experience depending on restrictions and parish realities.
Parish Partner Role:
- Parish Point Person: Head leader who will represent the parish and will be in close communication with the Archdiocese and Parrhesia Catholic.
- Small Group Leaders: Parish provides Leaders to run small group discipleship meetings immediately following the Sunday Online Alpha presentation.
- Registration: Parish will process their own Confirmation registration for confirmation including contact information.
- Cost: Parish will send check for $20/confirmandi to the Archdiocese of Portland (Attn. Jason Kidd - Youth Alpha course) by Nov. 1st to contract with Parrhesia Catholic.
- Communication: Parishes will be responsible for communication weekly with parents and teens going through confirmation prep.
- Retreat: Run the retreat experience (½, full or multi-day) for your Confirmandi along with support from the prayer team, your pastor, and your small group leaders.
- Finishing the Confirmation Preparation: Parish recommendation is to continue and finish confirmation preparation in the 2nd half of the year, with the CHOSEN Program (starting with Session 6) or similar to finish catechesis for Confirmation
Small Group Discipleship Leader Role:
- Training (see calendar below):
- Attend Small Group Training
- Attend Retreat Training
- Attend weekly Check in and ongoing discipleship training
2. Sunday Night Confirmation Session:
- Attend Small Group Leader meeting and prayer time at 6:30p
- Attend Alpha Youth Session (7p) and Lead Small Group Discipleship Meeting (7:45p): Parish small group leaders will be responsible for running the small group discipleship meeting whether in-person, hybrid or online following the Sunday Online Alpha presentation.
- Continue as a small group discipleship leader for the remainder of Confirmation Prep