Yolanda Tanihara, a lifelong Catholic, knew there was something missing in her relationship with God — too many unanswered questions, too little peace.

Richard Sarkisian had been away from the Catholic Church for a time and discovered the journey back involved sharing his faith in community with others.

For Karen Kriske, a convert to Catholicism, the search for a deeper spiritual life was fundamentally linked with the spiritual renewal of her parish community.

All three found their way to Alpha, a course immersion into basic Christian faith that is ecumenical in spirit and making a grassroots impact in church communities nationwide.

Alpha is a 10-week series in which participants are encouraged to explore their relationship with Jesus Christ in an atmosphere where asking any question is not only accepted but embraced.

Started more than 25 years ago at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London, Alpha courses are currently being run in thousands of Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Pentecostal churches.

Since 2000 more than 100 Catholic parishes in the United States have offered Alpha courses.

The series was introduced in Diocese of Sacramento in January, when participation in Alpha training sessions was offered to pastors and parishes. By June parishioners from All Hallows, Immaculate Conception and St. Peter parishes in Sacramento had begun the course.

“The diocese sees Alpha as an opportunity for Catholics to deepen their relationship with Christ,” said Mercy Sister Susan McCarthy, director of evangelization for the diocese. “The extraordinary success of Alpha in renewing parish life is very compelling.”

Janet White, a member of All Hallows Parish, took over a leadership role in activating Alpha in the diocese after going with a friend to an Alpha session at Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento several years ago.

She said the sessions, which typically begin with a light meal followed by a presentation on Christian faith issues and small group discussions, are an effective format to evangelize parishioners.

“It’s a very relaxing atmosphere in which you can say anything and be listened to, a place where healing takes place,” said White, who sees Alpha as an effective evangelization tool for parishes.

“It brings the Spirit alive in churchÖbecause Alpha brings the Spirit alive in our lives,” she said.

When All Hallows began offering the Alpha course at the parish hall last April, more than 40 people showed up, including members of Immaculate Conception and St. Peter parishes.

White said that meetings, held Sunday evenings beginning at 5 p.m., begin on a light note.

“Laughter is part of Alpha,” she said. “The real meat is when we break into small groups.”

Key to Alpha’s success is developing trust among members. Built into the ground rules of the group include ensuring confidentiality, restricting monopolization, and inviting everyone to talk, but not requiring it.

Tanihara, an All Hallows parishioner, admits she felt a bit uncomfortable the first two sessions of the course, but by week three noticed a distinct change.

“My Sunday evenings were very peaceful when I came home, and Monday mornings going to work didn’t seem such a chore,” she said.

But the real test came eight weeks into the program when Tanihara was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“My faith has become so much stronger...that I was able to accept what I was going through,” she said. “I knew the people around me believed in prayer and would pray for me.”

For Sarkisian, whose return to the Catholic faith with his wife Connie began at Immaculate Conception four years ago, attending the first Alpha meeting was an experience he had been seeking for some time.

“I love the message of love that Alpha is all about,” he said. “We are called to community and that is what Alpha is in a very ecumenical way. We learn to share one another’s suffering, love and joy.”

Karen Kriske and her husband, Deacon George Kriske, are members of All Hallows. She said that membership in Alpha is making it possible for the first time to sit down and talk about faith with people she has gone to Mass with for years.

“People can relate their knowledge about Jesus and learn more about him from the heart,” she said.

A plan to introduce Alpha to more parishes in the diocese has begun by issuing a standing invitation to parishes and Catholic organizations to attend and observe Sunday meetings at All Hallows.

“Those who have been through the course become the best in extending an invitation to others,” Sister McCarthy said. “The powerful witness of changed lives through personal stories is very convincing.”

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