Nicky' Gumbel's Alpha Course

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Nicky' Gumbel's Alpha Course JUNE 2010, MAY 2012 NICKY’ GUMBEL’S ALPHA COURSE I attended a one-day Alpha programme presented by Nicky Gumbel on February 19, 2002 [see pages 111, 112] in Chennai at the Music Academy, a secular venue. I chanced upon him during the lunch break and he signed for me a copy of his 1993 best-selling book “Questions of Life” that I had bought in 1997, and which I have still not opened. I also have a copy each of his 1991 booklet “Why Jesus” and “Telling Others”, 1994. I intended going through the books while preparing this report, but after finding that there is sufficient information on the world-wide web, I gave up the idea. I don't know who arranged Nicky Gumbel’s visit to Chennai. There were many Protestant pastors present. A sizeable delegation from the International Catholic Programme for Evangelization [ICPE] had come down from Bangalore. I recall a Catholic Bishop addressing the gathering, welcoming Nicky Gumbel and his team. I recall very little about the programme. There was a lot of mention of evangelization and reaching the Gospel to others, and that is one issue that has always grabbed my attention. I suppose that since the delegates were from across the denominational spectrum, the contents of the talks were not doctrinal. Even if there had been any aberrations, I would probably have missed them as I was not as well informed then -- especially about the problems associated with a false ecumenism and the errors of Protestant teaching -- as I am now. In the prayer and ministering sessions, I found Alpha spirituality to be charismatic, and I had no problems with that either. Yes, I had not only heard of Holy Trinity Brompton and the “Toronto Blessing”, John Wimber, Rodney Howard-Browne and others whose names the reader will become familiar with in the following pages, I had read their books and watched their video tapes. I was at least a couple of years from graduating into a Catholic apologist.-Michael INDEX [PAGE NUMBERS IN BRACKETS] INTRODUCTION [1] INDEX [2] LETTER FROM AN INDIAN CATHOLIC WHO ATTENDED AN ALPHA TRAINING COURSE [3-5] FIRST CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA [3-5] SECOND CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA 1. Should ALPHA be used in a Catholic Context? - An Analysis by Gillian Van Der Lande www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/alpha1.htm [6-10, 160] THIRD CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA 2. Is ALPHA for Catholics?? by William J. Cork, D. Min. www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/alpha2.htm [11-16, 160] SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS NEWS INFORMATION ON ALPHA [17-32] Alpha course From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [17-18] Which techniques does the "Alpha Course" use to brainwash people? [18] The magnet of Alpha by Ruth Gledhill [18-23] Making waves with hard-sell [23-24] Religious mystery of the Alpha effect [24-25] Alpha 'feeds modern spiritual hunger' [25-26] The Alpha Course and Its Critics: An Overview of the Debates [26-32] MY COMMENTS [33] PROTESTANT CRITIQUES OF ALPHA [34-105] I. The Dangers Of The Alpha Course deceptioninthechurch.com [34-35] Looking at - THE ALPHA COURSE by Tricia Tillin banner.org.uk [35-41] II. The Alpha Course by Chris Hand banner.org.uk [41-43] III. The Gospel According to Gumbel (the Alpha Course) by Michael J. Penfold webtruth.org [44-47] IV. Alpha: Another Road To Rome? Commentary by Roger Oakland understandthetimes.org [47-49] V. What About the Alpha Course? by Rev. Ron Hanko cprf.co.uk [49-50] VI. Is the Alpha Course of God, or is it heresy! by Gordon McGill revivalscotland.com [51-53] VII. THE ALPHA COURSE - FINAL ANSWER OR FATAL ATTRACTION? by G. Richard Fisher pfo.org [53-59] VIII. THE ALPHA COURSE - IS IT THE FINAL ANSWER OR A FATAL ATTRACTION? cephasministry.com [60- 65] IX A. Alpha News by K. B. Napier christiandoctrine.net [65-67] IX B. Alpharisms by K. B. Napier christiandoctrine.net [67-71] X. The Alpha Course Is It Bible Based Or Hell Inspired? by Rev. Paul Fitton regal-network.com [71-77] XI. Book Exposes the Illuminati "Alpha Course" by Nancy Thomson benabraham.com [77-79] XII. HIDDEN SECRETS OF THE ALPHA COURSE [79] XIII. THE ALPHA COURSE/ EVANGELISTIC BIBLE STUDIES wayoflife.org [79-84] XIV. ALPHA: New Life or New Lifestyle? by Elizabeth McDonald [85-98] XV. Does God give us spiritual quick fixes? from Alpha ... to Omega abcog.org [98-99] XVI. Where Does The 'Alpha Course' Stand in 2009? Honestly Facing Up To The Inadequacies of 'Alpha' by Robin A. Brace ukapologetics.net [100-104] XVII. – XXI. Miscellaneous links [104-105] XXII. THE ALPHA COURSE angelfire.com [105-106] TWO REVIEWS OF ALPHA BY “CHURCHMOUSE” [106-110] Alpha Course: truth or error? [106-108] Alpha’s brand of Jesus [108-110] CATHOLIC FUNDAMENTALIST TAKES ON ALPHA 1. ALPHA charismatc-heresy.blogspot.com [110-111] CATHOLIC FUNDAMENTALIST TAKES ON ALPHA 2. ALPHA UNSCRAMBLED by Frank Calneggia [111-114] CATHOLICS FOR ALPHA [114-117, 159, 160] CATHOLIC PRIEST FR. JAMES MALLON DESIGNS FOLLOW UP TO THE ALPHA COURSE [114-116, 159, 160] CATHOLIC PRIEST FR. BENEDICT HERON OSB EULOGISES THE ALPHA COURSE [116-117] MORE CATHOLIC CRITIQUES OF ALPHA [117-129] FOURTH CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA [117-120] 3A. The Dangers of Protestant Material by R. J. Grigaitis S.F.O. 3B. Nicky Gumbel's Alpha Course by R. J. Grigaitis S.F.O. 3C. Sola Scriptura by R. J. Grigaitis S.F.O. 3D. A Letter to Nicky Gumbel by R. J. Grigaitis S.F.O. FIFTH CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA 4. Alpha and the 'New Evangelization' by Paul Likoudis [121-124] SIXTH CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA 5. Bad Directions [124] SEVENTH CATHOLIC CRITIQUE OF ALPHA 6. CATHOLIC ANSWERS FORUM catholic.com [124-129] CATHOLIC ALPHA IN INDIA: ITS PROMOTERS. CORRESPONDENCE WITH OUR BISHOPS [129-134] MY COMMENTS [132-133] EVANGELICAL CRITIQUE OF THE “TORONTO BLESSING”. TO BE READ WITH DISCRETION [135-151] SECULAR REPORT ON THE ALPHA CONNECTION WITH THE “TORONTO BLESSING” [151] THREE CATHOLIC CRITIQUES OF THE “TORONTO BLESSING” [152-156] SOMETHING INEXPLICABLE ON THE INTERNET, CATHOLIC ALPHA INDIA’S RESPONSE [156-158] I never imagined that the Alpha course might be a problem for Catholics until I received the following email: From: name withheld To: prabhu Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 8:51 AM Subject: Re: Hi Dear Michael, Just returned from Mass. Thank you for praying for us at Mass today. We did not remember about the plenary indulgence. We went for Confession last Wednesday at the Alpha course. Do you know about it? It is an initiative of the Anglican Church to bring back members into the church. However Catholic bishops are endorsing it and using it to evangelise lapsed Catholics. We found some disturbing errors in doctrine from the Catholic point of reference and repeatedly brought it to the notice of the course conductors (a team of Catholics from Malaysia which included some Indians), requesting them to intervene and correct the errors as they came up. They ignored us until we got more aggressive. Then they came down on me like a ton of bricks and finally declared that there were no errors. I was fresh from the Steve Ray apologetics program and so I could stand my ground. I have made a report and deliberating on whether I should send it out to all Bishops of India since the CCBI has unofficially endorsed it when it was presented at the last plenary. Would you like to see the report? Do you think I should send it out or send it to our own Bishop first, since he brought it to the diocese and it was approved by the Centre for Lay Apostolate? By the way, the Bishop spoke to [us] when he invited us to attend the Alpha course… name withheld From: name withheld To: prabhu Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 4:57 PM Subject: Alpha course My experience of the Alpha Training Course held at Pilar Reanimation Centre, Goa, India, 22 to 25 February 2010 1. Since this course was organised by the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman, we took it for granted that it was a Catholic programme. So even though Fr. John, the priest on the team mentioned that it originated in the Anglican church, we continued to keep an open mind. During the course of the first DVD, Nicky Gumbel, the creator of Alpha mentioned that he was a vicar (after mentioning his wife several times before that). On the next day, at tea-time I casually asked James, another Alpha team member: “What about the Anglican roots of the program?” He replied something like “it is not important, that Alpha has proven to be very effective in giving people an experience of Jesus Christ and then they experience a hunger to know more – you tell them more about the Catholic Church.” His reply convinced me that there were no grounds for worry. 2. During talk 6, Why and How should I read the Bible? Nicky argued that we need the Bible to give us guidelines and concluded that the Bible is the supreme authority for what we believe and how we act. I immediately felt disturbed hearing this. In the group discussion that followed, I shared my discomfort with my group members. I shared that I had recently returned from a seminar on [Catholic] Apologetics in Mumbai and there Steve Ray, the speaker emphatically stated that the Catholic Church stands like a 3-legged stool: Sacred Tradition, Scripture and the Magisterium. As soon as the break was announced I waited to meet Fr.
Recommended publications
  • Pope Condemns the Evils of 'Corruption'
    Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 CATHOLIC JOURNAL Vol. 95 No. 6 June 21, 2017 Battling poverty Pope condemns the evils of ‘corruption’ With submissions to the Canadian Poverty Reduction By Junno Arocho Esteves organized crime and the Mafia. cials, heads of movements, vic - Vatican also said the conference Strategy due June 30, Among the participants of the tims, journalists, scholars, intellec - studied the possibility of “excom - Catholic leaders and ecu - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — meeting were 50 anti-Mafia and tuals and several ambassadors, the munication for corruption and menical organizations are Christians and non-Christians anti-corruption magistrates, as Vatican said. pushing federal politicians must join the fight against corrup - well as bishops and Vatican offi - In a June 17 statement, the — PROMOTE , page 15 hard to produce a serious tion, which tears apart the bonds legislative plan to lift nearly that unite humanity, Pope Francis five million Canadians out of said. poverty — one that includes Corruption “reveals such strong targets and timelines. anti-social conduct” that it “dis - — page 3 solves the pillars upon which soci - Spirit-inspired ety is founded: coexistence among people and the vocation to develop Sacred Heart Parish in it,” the pope wrote in the preface Virden, Man., hosted the to a new book. 69th annual convention of “Corruption breaks all of this the Manitoba Provincial by replacing the common good with a particular interest that cont - CWL June 2 - 3, with the aminates every general outlook,” theme, “Women Inspired by he wrote. “It is born of a corrupt the Spirit Respond heart and is the worst social to God’s Call.” plague because it generates seri - — page 6 ous problems and crimes involv - Lay Formation ing everyone.” The new book, Corrosion , was Graduates of Lay Formation written by Cardinal Peter Turkson, programs were recently prefect of the Vatican Dicastery anointed and sent forth in for Promoting Integral Human several celebrations in Development, and Vittorio V.
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Asked Questions About the Catholicity of Alpha
    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CATHOLICITY OF ALPHA The following article addresses frequently asked questions about the Catholicity of the Alpha course. Among these, some have asked, “Why is the Diocese of Green Bay using the Alpha course when Alpha did not originate in the Catholic Church?” In this document are four questions and answers to be aware of on how the Alpha course can support our discipleship efforts in the Catholic Church. Recall that the four step discipleship process in the Diocese of Green Bay is as follows: 1. Discover Jesus. 2 Follow Jesus. 3. Worship Jesus. Share Jesus. These questions are detailed below. Page 1: Did Alpha originate in the Catholic Church? Page 2: If the Catholic Church teaches that the Church of Christ exists fully only in the Catholic Church (Dominus Iesus, no. 14), then why is the Diocese of Green Bay using a non-Catholic resource? Page 3: Why is there an “Alpha in a Catholic Context”? What gaps does the “Catholic context” part of Alpha address? Page 4: Are members of the Catholic hierarchy and other key Catholic leaders endorsing Alpha? 1. Did Alpha originate in the Catholic Church? Alpha was founded in 1977 by Reverend Charles Marnham at Holy Trinity Brompton, an Anglican parish in London. However, Nicky Gumbel, an Anglican priest, oversaw the development and expansion of the Alpha course starting from the 1980’s to the present day. However, it sometimes takes an “outsider” to show us “insiders” how wise the Catholic Church is in her teachings. Incidentally, what Nicky Gumbel effectively integrated into the Alpha course are several discipleship principles and practices as taught by the Catholic Church.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alpha Course Satan's Latest Device To
    The Burning Bush—Online article archive The Alpha Course: Satan's latest device to deceive believers, Part 2. Continuing on from last month's issue, we wish to set before our readers some evidence of the falseness of the religion pro- moted by the Alpha Course, by showing you some of the testi- monies set forth as evidence of conversions under this deceit- ful course of instruction. Before we come to that, I wish to re- produce some comments by Rev. Paul Fitton of Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church, in an sermon entitled: "False Fire." 'A faulty message will invariably lead to a false profession. Notice that those referred to in Matthew 7 had the right expressions, (verse 22) "Lord, Lord." They were earnest for they said, "Lord, Lord." They endeavoured to serve the Lord (verse 22) "... Have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" Yet they were not known of Christ for He says to them (verse 23) "I never knew thee." Why did Christ not know them? Why when they appeared to say the right things and do the right things did He say to them, "I never knew thee?" He didn't know them because they didn't come His way. They heard a message that was faulty and entered Another gate and walked an Alternative road which was more Appealing to them than the gate and road that Christ proclaimed. Consequently they had a false profession. They sincerely believed that they knew the Lord but they were wrong.
    [Show full text]
  • Companions on the Journey
    The Catholic Women’s League of Canada 1990-2005 companions on the journey Sheila Ross The Catholic Women’s League of Canada C-702 Scotland Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3M 1X5 Tel: (888) 656-4040 Fax: (888) 831-9507 Website: www.cwl.ca E-mail: [email protected] The Catholic Women’s League of Canada 1990-2005: companions on the journey Contents Introduction ................................................................................................. 2 1990: Woman: Sharing in the Life and Mission of the Church.................. 8 1991: Parish: A Family of the Local Church: Part 1 ................................. 16 1992: Parish: A Family of the Local Church: Part II ................................. 23 1993: The Catholic Women’s League of Canada – rooted in gospel values: Part I........................................................................................ 30 1994: The Catholic Women’s League of Canada – rooted in gospel values: Part II ....................................................................................... 36 1995: The Catholic Women’s League of Canada − calling its members to holiness............................................................................................ 42 1996: The Catholic Women’s League of Canada − through service to the people of God: Part I ................................................................... 47 1997: The Catholic Women’s League of Canada − through service to the people of God: Part II .................................................................. 54 1998: People of God
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha Team Guide Is Recommended for Alpha Small Group Hosts and Helpers
    Team Guide Team Alpha How do I get people talking? What sessions are we on? What do you think? This Alpha Team Guide is recommended for Alpha small group hosts and helpers. It includes notes for the two required team training GuideAlpha Team sessions on how to lead an Alpha small group and how to lead prayer ministry, which can be found on either the Alpha Film Series or Alpha with Nicky Gumbel. It also provides weekly key concept summary and suggested questions to help guide the discussion time for each session of Alpha. Alpha helps you create an environment where you can bring your friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share points of view. Alpha’s approach—stressing hospitality, faith, and discussion—is designed to make it easy for you to welcome everyone, including those who might not describe themselves as Christians or churchgoers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion to help you have spiritual conversations with others that explore life’s biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Designed for use with the Alpha Film Series (9781938328831) or Alpha with Nicky Gumbel (9781938328718) DVDs, sold separately. A lpha NICKY GUMBEL is the pioneer of Alpha. He studied law © Alpha International 2016 at Cambridge and theology at Oxford, practiced as a alphausa.org lawyer, and is now the senior pastor of HTB in London, @alphausa one of England’s most vibrant churches. alphacanada.org @alphacanada RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Evangelism USD $8.99 / CAD $10.99 ISBN 978-1-938-32888-6 9781938328886-Alpha Team Guide C.indd 1 11/20/17 1:51 PM Published in North America by Alpha North America, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville, IL 60540 © 2016 Alpha International, Holy Trinity Brompton, Brompton Road, London SW7 1JA, UK Alpha Team Guide All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • The Corren Agreement Sean Murphy, Director CCRL Western Region
    Catholic Civil Rights League The Corren Agreement Sean Murphy, Director CCRL Western Region Introduction http://ccrl.ca On 28 April, 2006, the Ministry of Education signed a private agreement with two homosexual activists, Peter and Murray Corren. 1 The agreement, Executive Officers Chaplain which can ultimately be enforced by the Supreme Court, was signed secretly Most Rev. Adam Exner, OMI and, by common consent, kept secret for over a month after it was signed, President Emeritus 2 Tom Langan probably because the parties believed that it would be controversial. President Philip Horgan Subsequent developments seem to have confirmed this. In the eight months Vice President from April to the end of November, 2006, the Ministry of Education C. William French Treasurer accumulated about 8,500 pages of documents relating to the agreement, John Sidle including 1,000 pages of petitions and about 5,000 pages of correspondence Director 3 Frederick W. Hill, O.C. to and from individuals or groups. Regional Directors The agreement ended an action before the BC Human Rights Commission Western Region initiated by the Correns in January, 1999, to try to force the Ministry of Sean Murphy Ed De Vita Education to introduce pro-homosexual curriculum into the public school National Capital Region system. Over the next seven years the case had been delayed for a number of Richard Bastien 4 Ontario Region reasons. It came to public attention by the summer of 2005 and was 5 John Shea scheduled for a hearing in July, 2006 when the government settled on terms C. William French Quebec Region acceptable to the Correns.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bukovina Society of the Americas NEWSLETTER P.O
    The Bukovina Society of the Americas NEWSLETTER P.O. Box 81, Ellis, KS 67637-0081 USA Vol. 25, No. 4 December, 2015 Board of Directors O. M. Windholz, President Eileen Goetz Web Site: www.bukovinasociety.org Email: [email protected] Arthur Honas Martha McClelland, Vice President Norma Lang Shirley Kuppetz, Secretary Van Massirer Membership Dues: Guy Windholz, Treasurer Darrell Seibel Lifetime $150.00 Gilbert Augustine Joe Erbert (Emeritus) Annual $15.00 Tim Flax SOCIETY NEWS & EVENTS tentative date for the 2016 annual business meeting has been set for September 30, 2015. This is the date of the • During Oktoberfest 2015 in Hays, KS, the Society Board annual Oktoberfest in Hays; however, the meeting will hosted a display table in a large tent with the Volga be at a later time to avoid missing events at the fest. A German organization and the Ellis County Historical final announcement will be made in a future issue of the Society. Many school groups and festival attendees newsletter. stopped to view our migration map and memorabilia from • The Society learned of the September 3rd, 2015 death the museum. 10,000 people attended the 43rd annual of life member Eric Slawski of Cologne, Germany. He fest with events featuring food, beer, dancing and other and his wife Inge were special guests at a Bukovinafest entertainment. The day was completed with a dinner by where he gave a presentation. We offer our condolences the Board for out of state visitors, Van Massirer, Steve to her and the extended family. Van and Mary Massirer Parke, and Pastor Herman Ottschofski at the home of met the couple then and later learned of a family Pat and OM Windholz.
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha Course” – Is It of God?
    EVALUATING THE “ALPHA COURSE” – IS IT OF GOD? INTRODUCTION – It is said that the founder of the Alpha Course is Nick Gumbel. His full name is Nicholas Glyn Paul Gumbel. His father was a German Jewish lawyer from Suttgart during the early days of Nazi Germany. The family migrated to Britain and Nick’s father became a successful barrister in their new homeland. Nick’s mother, Murial, was quite successful in her own right. She served on the Greater London Council for many years between 1967 and 1986 and was Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Nick Gumbel was an avowed atheist until his conversion while studying at Trinity College in Cambridge. He read through the New Testament and said that he had found what he had been looking for all his life. After graduating in law in 1976 (born in 1955) he followed in his father’s career and practiced law. Meanwhile he became a regular worshipper at Holy Trinity Brompton Church at Knightsbridge. In 1982 he announced his decision to leave the bar to train for ordination in the Church of England. In 1983 he began his theological studies at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. After some difficulty in finding a curacy, Nick joined the staff of his ‘home’ church of Holy Trinity Brompton in London as a curate in 1986. He was ordained priest in 1987. He was officially installed as vicar of the church in 2005. He was awarded an honourary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire as recognition of his contribution to the wider church via the Alpha Course.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ho Ly Spirit
    Who is the Holy Spirit? Questions What does the Holy Spirit do? of Life How can I be filled with the Spirit? Spirit The Holy In this thought-provoking booklet, Nicky Gumbel tackles the answers to these and other key questions people may be contemplating. The Holy Spirit is taken from the book Questions of Life by NICKY GUMBEL Nicky Gumbel and is a talk that is given on Alpha. Nicky Gumbel is the pioneer of Alpha. He read law at Cambridge and theology at Oxford, practised as a barrister and is now vicar of HTB in London. Follow Nicky @nickygumbel ISBN 978 1 909309 647 © Alpha International 2016 alpha.org @alphacourse bibleinoneyear.org 8 9 781909 309647 #TryAlpha The Holy Spirit Booklets taken from Questions of Life: Is There More to Life Than This? Who Is Jesus? Why Did Jesus Die? How Can We Have Faith? Why and How Do I Pray? Why and How Should I Read the Bible? How Does God Guide Us? The Holy Spirit How Can I Resist Evil? Why and How Should I Tell Others? Does God Heal Today? What About the Church? How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? The Holy Spirit NICKY GUMBEL Copyright © Nicky Gumbel 2010 Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International The right of Nicky Gumbel to be Version Anglicised. Copyright © identified as author of this work has 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly been asserted by him in accordance International Bible Society. Used by with the Copyright, Designs and permission of Hodder & Stoughton Patents Act 1988.
    [Show full text]
  • Emerald Achievements Gala Is the Event for Honour- Sity of Wyoming in the 1991 CFL Draft
    The Irish Review is co-published quarterly by VC Alumni and the VC Millennium Foundation. The VC Alumni Association 5400 Cartier St, Vancouver, BC V6M 3A5 Phone: 604-261-4285 Contact us on our website A quarterly publication for the Vancouver College Community Issue 12 September 2008 www.vcalumni.com VC Millennium Foundation 5400 Cartier Street, Vancouver, Emerald BC V6M 3A5 Phone: 604-261-3755 Fax: 604-261-3756 Bob Ackles Bob Corbett Sean Fleming Turlough O’Hare Frank Smith Henry van Driel [email protected] Achievements [email protected] 2009 VC Hall of Honour Inductees: Sean Fleming, VC’88, Athletics in the Vanier Cup four times winning in 1982 and 1986, Sean was named a Provincial All Star in grade 12, and won the Shrum Bowl 8 times, was CIS Coach of the Year We are proud to announce these confirmed Inductees to still holds the school record for the longest field goal at 56 (Frank Tindall Trophy) in 1978 & 1987, awarded Lifetime date. These individuals and one team have accomplished yards. He is a former Canadian football placekicker and Achievement Award by BC Lions at the Orange Helmet outstanding achievements in their fields. punter. Sean was drafted sixth overall by the Canadian Awards is a member of UBC Sports Hall of Fame. He Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos out of the Univer- then ventured into the CFL with the BC Lions as the The Emerald Achievements gala is the event for honour- sity of Wyoming in the 1991 CFL Draft. Fleming played Special Teams Coach until his retirement in 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha with Nicky Gumbel Host/Helper Guide
    Alpha Host and Helper Manual (Alpha with Nicky Gumbel) Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church Plymouth, Michigan Winter 2019 *This manual is supplemental to the Alpha Resource Team Guide. Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people. Alpha Host/Helper Manual (AWNG) Our Lady of Good Counsel 12.04.2018 2 An Introduction to Being an Alpha Host or Helper Dear Alpha Hosts and Helpers, Thank you for your willingness to serve as a host or a helper for the next eleven weeks for the Alpha Course. We are very excited to have you as a part of this Alpha team. What a great joy it is to serve alongside each one of you! As an Alpha Host, you have been chosen to lead your group through an exciting adventure to encounter Jesus. While there are many aspects to this task, there are a few basic guidelines that will ensure a rewarding experience for your guests: • Review the upcoming weekly session ahead of time, if possible. The talks are thirty minutes in length and may be viewed by visiting www.alphausa.org. • Please make sure you arrive ½ hour before the start of the session to meet with your session leader. These mandatory pre-session meetings are an opportunity to talk about the session ahead and to pray together.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Catholic News SPECIAL EDITION P a G E 3
    D I O C E S E O F Northern Catholic PRINCE GEORGE News SPECIAL EDITION JANUARY 2013 Msgr. Stephen Jensen appointed Bishop of Prince George On January 3, Master of Divinity in 1979. the Curia and Vicar for Evangeli- 2013, Pope He was ordained a priest of the zation and Education, a member Benedict XVI Archdiocese of Vancouver on of the Archdiocesan Finance appointed Msgr. May 24, 1980. From 1984 to Council, Chair of the Steering Stephen Jensen, 1998 he was a pastor in three Committee of the archdiocesan Vicar General of parishes: Immaculate Concep- annual appeal, and a member of the Archdiocese tion and Corpus Christi in Van- archdiocesan advisory boards of Vancouver, as couver and St. Ann’s in Abbots- for Catholic cemeteries, evange- Bishop of the ford. lization, stewardship and voca- Diocese of Since 1984 he has served on tions. Prince George. the Catholic School Board, over- Bishop-elect Jensen was a trus- He succeeds seeing a total of 46 elementary tee of Vancouver College and St. Bishop Gerald and secondary schools in the Thomas More Collegiate Wiesner, OMI, Vancouver Archdiocese. He was schools – both non-parochial who, after over named a Prelate of Honour in high schools originally run by the 19 years, offered 1996 and Vicar for Education in Christian Brothers – and a his resignation to 1997, assisting with elementary member of the board of the the Holy Father and secondary Catholic schools, theological school St. Mark’s in Jun 2012 when as well as adult catechesis. College and the undergraduate he reached the age of 75, as In 2001 he earned a doctorate liberal arts program Corpus required by the Code of Canon in Education, specializing in edu- Christi College – both affiliated Law.
    [Show full text]