Contact
Diocesan Offices
St Eugene’s Cathedral
Francis Street, Derry
BT48 9AP
Tel: 028 7126 2302
Latest News & Events
2 minutes reading time
(475 words)
Baptised and Sent in Lent with Sycamore | Parish Leaders’ Resource
This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (Ash Wednesday).
Here we offer a ready-to-use Lenten prayer and reflection resource for parish groups, blending Baptised and Sent in Lent with the Sycamore faith resource.
A Diocese of Derry Parish Resource for Lent
Baptised and Sent in Lent with Sycamore is a Diocese of Derry adaptation of the national Baptised and Sent in Lent resource, now blended with the Sycamore faith resource to make it more accessible and easier to use in parish settings.
By placing Sycamore at the heart of each gathering, it offers parish groups a simple, prayerful way to reflect together during Lent, rooted in the Sunday Gospel and focused on listening, faith and mission.
Download this ready-to-use prayer and reflection guide for parish groups during Lent.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is suitable for:
- Parish Pastoral Councils
- Parish Leadership Teams
- Synodal and pastoral groups
- Small faith gatherings meeting during Lent
It is especially helpful for groups who want a structured but gentle format, without the feel of a course or programme.
How it works
Each session follows a simple and familiar pattern:
- Opening prayer
- The Sunday Gospel
- A short Sycamore video to open up the theme
- Time for quiet reflection and shared listening
The emphasis is on prayer, reflection and attentiveness to one another, rather than discussion or teaching.
Easy to use in every parish
No special preparation is required. There are no facilitators' notes to master and no prior knowledge assumed.
Simply download the handouts and use them in a way that best suits your parish — whether as part of a council meeting, a small group gathering, or a dedicated Lenten prayer time.
Download the Parish Leaders' Handouts
Simply click to download and use with your parish group.
Size: A4
Number of pages: 3 for each week
Format: PDF
Homily Pointers for Priests
Alongside the parish handouts, weekly homily pointers are also provided for priests, offering Gospel-focused prompts that link the Sunday readings with the Baptised and Sent in Lent themes and support preaching during Lent.
Size: A4
Number of pages: 10
Format: PDF
Using the Sycamore videos
The Sycamore videos used with this resource can be downloaded from sycamore.fm/videos. They are free to access following a simple registration process, and may be downloaded in advance for use in parish settings.
Supporting parish life during Lent
We hope this resource will support parishes during Lent and assist reflection on baptism, mission and shared responsibility within parish life, in a way that is prayerful, realistic and rooted in the Gospel.
Stay Informed
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.