An Alpha celebration dinner to remember

taken from Catholic News May 27, 2007 page 4

By Mona Ryan
Guest on the evening Alpha course

The Evangelization Commission conducted two Alpha Courses from February to April 2007 simultaneously – one on Thursday mornings and the other on Friday evenings for ten weeks. These courses culminated with a joint celebration dinner on the evening of Sunday, April 29 at Presentation College, Chaguanas. 

The participants of the course invited guests to the function, and when we (participants and guests) arrived, we were greeted in the usual Alpha way with hugs and kisses and given name tags, after which you selected one of the beautifully decorated tables at which to sit. 

The evening’s programme started with welcoming remarks by George Chami, the Alpha Leader, who also acted as the MC for the proceedings. His jovial and humorous manner made for an enjoyable evening.

We had our delicious meal and some chit chat at the tables while the team members intermingled with the participants and their guests, hoping maybe that they would soon become participants themselves. 

Mr Chami was followed by his wife, Shaira Chami our charming Alpha Administrator who gave a short talk on “What is Alpha”.  Next on the programme was a video presentation by Nick Gumbel on the topic: Christianity: Boring, Irrelevant, Untrue?

Theresa Barkley led five persons, three from the day course and two from the evening course, in giving their personal testimonies of the course and its effect on them. All remarked that the course had changed their lives significantly, bringing about a closer relationship with God, a change in attitude to people and situations and living a more spiritual life. 

A pleasant surprise was a heart-warning and hair-raising rendition of My Redeemer Lives by Elsa Christopher and Wayne Jordan, both of whom are outgoing members of the Alpha Course and members of the Senior Choir of the Chaguanas parish. 

Bernice Chin Aleong and Simon Rostant, principal of Presentation College, Chaguanas gave some jokes. This fulfilled the fun and laughter element of the course – the others being food and fellowship. 

Alpha Advisor, Sheree Ann Bharat, the mover and shaker of the programme, gave a motivational talk urging the outgoing Alpha guests to spread the Good News of Jesus. 
She said, “Continue witnessing to others wherever the Lord puts you; in your work, school, home and even in the streets. The greatest part of telling others about the Lord is that you now have the opportunity to affect the lives of others for good.  The blessings you have received in your life must be shared with someone else to bring him or her hope and peace. So go out there and be witnesses for Christ!”

Mrs Bharat encouraged new guests to “come and see” what the Alpha Course is all about. 
She said, “If you want to investigate Christianity Alpha is for you! If you are a new Christian, recently baptised – just come and see how much more you can gain! (You can gain knowledge, wisdom and even some pounds).

Those of you who feel you have never really got going as a Christian – this is your opportunity to get going, so just come and find out how to get going! Those of you who want to brush up on the basics – The course is for you too – It is for everyone, it is for you!”

The evening culminated with words of appreciation by Bernice Chin Aleong and Theresa Barkley. The closing prayer was done by Monica Ramdeen, known by all as “Ma Monica” – truly a prayer from the heart!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fr Urban Hudlin OP, Vicar for Evangelization, Sheree Ann Bharat, Alpha Advisor and Shaira Chami, Alpha Administrator for organising the Alpha Courses at the Catholic Centre. 

Special thanks to the hardworking Alpha Team – Theresa Barkley, George Chami, Gina Chami, Bernice Chin Aleong, Shirley Clarke, Milton Danglade, Allister Guppy, Denise Haynes, Joanna Hem Lee, Lindsay John, Sylvarine Kydd, Samuel Modeste, Robertha Paul, Eileen Pierre, Lousie Pierre, Moses Ramdeen, Bobby Ramrattansingh, Glenda Sham Ku, Cynthia Soodeen, Valme Thurton and Diahann White.  May God continue to bless the Evangelization Commission and the Alpha Team as they answer to the call of Jesus to go out and spread the Good News to all – “Go out into the whole world, proclaiming the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15