Liverpool: Over two inspiring days, more than 200 Catholics from across Australia came together for the Alpha Catholic Conference, embracing the theme “The Way of Hope” and immersing themselves in formation, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. Held at the Liverpool Catholic Club on October 31 and November 1, the conference sought to equip participants to deepen their faith and energize their parishes and communities.
Organizers emphasized Alpha’s hallmark approach of content, connection, and conversation to ignite faith and equip leaders. Tania Rimac, from the Parish Renewal Team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelization and leader of Alpha in a Catholic Context in NSW, highlighted the mission-driven purpose of the gathering. “We’ve all come together to share in the witness of being Christ’s disciples. Sometimes we need courage, and we gain that from one another,” she said.
For some attendees, the conference offered an opportunity to renew existing missions, while for others it represented the first step toward active ministry. Tania Chahoud, who has led several Alpha programs in Enfield, described the conference as a chance to recharge. “To nourish others, I need to be nourished myself. That is my fuel to bring others closer to the faith,” she said. For 18-year-old Blake Birkinshaw, the event opened new possibilities for youth ministry. “My parish encouraged me to come, grow in my faith, and discern what the Lord is calling me to be,” he reflected.
The conference featured dynamic speakers and influential voices. Bishop Michael Gielen of Christchurch, New Zealand, delivered the keynote address, centering on evangelization and posing reflective questions: “Who are you having conversations with about Christ? Who is your why?” He shared the transformative story of a young man who overcame addiction and emerged as a community leader, illustrating the life-changing power of faith.
Selina Hasham, CEO of Harvest Journeys, addressed the conference on the theme “The Spirit of Hope and the Christian Journey”, highlighting the profound impact of pilgrimage and everyday encounters with God. Using the story of a young pilgrim, Michael, she reminded participants that divine experiences need not only happen on mountaintops; they can occur in ordinary life, even while performing daily tasks.
Participants engaged in icebreakers and open-table discussions, fostering fellowship and community from the start. Breakout sessions explored diverse aspects of evangelization, including spiritual conversations, social media engagement, and accompanying married couples in faith. The first day concluded with an evening of Eucharistic adoration, offering a quiet space for reflection and spiritual renewal.
Day two opened with Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel Meagher and featured Sr Elena Marie Piteo, a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, who spoke on building resilience through faith. She emphasized three pillars of resilience: discovering life’s purpose, engaging in community, and cultivating virtue.
Daniel Ang, Director of the Sydney Centre for Evangelization, delivered a keynote titled “A Hope That Sends: Living Faith and Transforming Parish Life”, challenging participants to embody hope in action. Drawing on the stories of Moses and Nehemiah, he encouraged the faithful to rebuild their communities with courage, creativity, and enduring hope.
The conference concluded with reflections from Bishop Richard Umbers and Paul ‘Skip’ Smith, Church Engagement Lead for Alpha Australia, underscoring the partnership with the Archdiocese of Sydney and the transformative potential of the Catholic Alpha experience.
Tania Rimac summarized the conference’s impact: “We hope attendees take away their next step, seeing the significance of investing in their teams, recognizing gifts around them, and inviting people into roles that bring them alive in faith.” The Alpha Catholic Conference left participants inspired, renewed, and ready to carry the message of hope into their parishes and communities.