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The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.
-Matthew 13:33
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what is the leaven initiative?
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Leaven is a type of yeast that helps bread to rise after it is added to its dough. In a similar way, the Leaven Initiative of the Diocese of Pittsburgh equips parishes and lay leaders with the tools they need for their evangelization efforts to flourish. It is rooted in the biblical vision that the vast kingdom of God arises from small beginnings.
Awakening experiences such as Alpha and ChristLife that ignite their participants’ faith are essential to realizing this vision. Through these programs, participants encounter Jesus in a most profound, intimate way and are inspired to commit their lives to Him as missionary disciples. The Leaven Initiative aims to effect a cultural shift within parishes and schools throughout the diocese by empowering the laity to realize their baptismal mission to “go and make disciples” as spirit-filled evangelizers.
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what are alpha and christlife?
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Alpha and ChristLife are similar experiences that provide a welcome environment where adults explore together life’s “big questions.” Their emphasis is on small group interaction, so they are best experienced in person, though online versions have been well received.
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- Alpha is a series that helps people awaken their faith in Jesus Christ and/or renew their love for Him. Come to build friendships with other adults, who will walk with you on the journey of faith. Alpha ignites the fire of renewal in parishes and schools by fostering a culture of welcome, encounter, and missionary discipleship.
- ChristLife takes you deeper. Come to explore your personal relationship with Jesus, learn to follow Him more closely, and discover your own personal mission as a Christian. ChristLife offers an ongoing structure of support for evangelization in parishes and schools, from the richness of our Catholic tradition.
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Elevate
Gather with current and former ChristLife coordinators, small group facilitators, hospitality leaders, and other team members to celebrate the fruits borne of the ChristLife evangelization process across the Diocese of Pittsburgh over the last decade.
Elevate takes place on October 29 from 8:30 am - noon at the Diocesan Pastoral Center (2900 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh PA 15205). Our morning will include a buffet breakfast, guest speaker Fr. Mike Zavage, testimonies, large group Q&A, and table discussion. The cost is $10.00 per person. Spread the word to all of those who have been, are currently, or would like to be involved in the ChristLife ministry.
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Leaven Initiative Scholarships
Supported by sacrificial gifts made to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, a limited number of scholarships are available to assist parishes and schools with the start-up costs associated with launching Alpha or ChristLife. To learn more, please contact Marita Parker at leaven@diopitt.org.
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Looking for more information?
Our desire is to create a culture of evangelization and missionary discipleship within every parish and school throughout the diocese. To learn more about starting an evangelization team at your parish or school, please contact Marita Parker, Consultant in Support of Local Evangelization, at: leaven@diopitt.org.
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