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Sycamore in Lent – Simple Parish Pathways for Prayer and Reflection
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
This Lent, parishes across the Diocese of Derry are gathering people together using the Sycamore video faith resources — simple weekly evenings centred on the Sunday Gospel, prayer, reflection and shared conversation.
You are warmly invited to watch this short Sycamore reflection and discover how your parish might take part.
In this Sycamore video, Father Stephen Wang reflects on his journey from atheism to faith, exploring life's deeper questions about meaning, beauty, and why anything exists at all. He shares how belief often begins quietly — not with dramatic signs, but by taking these questions seriously and being open to the sense that there may be something more beyond what we can see.
Would you like to go a little deeper this Lent?
Across the Diocese, parishes are offering simple weekly gatherings using the Sycamore Lent resources — five parishes are hosting the Baptised and Sent in Lent with Sycamore, and three parishes are leading the Sycamore Lent Series. Each offers a relaxed, welcoming space to pause, pray, reflect on the Sunday Gospel, and share faith together. If your parish is taking part, why not come along? You don't need any experience — just an open heart. Lent is a beautiful time to begin.
Here are two simple ways to help you grow in your faith this Lent
Baptised and Sent in Lent with Sycamore (5 weeks)
A simple, ready-to-use parish prayer resource designed for small groups to gather weekly during Lent to pray with the Sunday Gospel.
Each session follows a gentle rhythm of prayer, Scripture, a short Sycamore video, quiet reflection, and shared conversation. It is easy to lead, requires minimal preparation, and works well in parish halls, homes, or small group settings.
Ideal for parishes seeking a relaxed, welcoming space where people can reflect together and support one another in faith during Lent.
Running Baptised and Sent in Lent with Sycamore during Lent:
Clonmany Parish
Dates: Monday's 23 February, 2, 9, 16 and 23 March
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Mary's Hall, Clonmany, Co Donegal
Coleraine
Dates: Thursday's 26 February, 5, 12 & 19 March
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: West Bann Hub, Coleraine
Errigal Parish
Tuesday, 17 February: 7:30pm - Hub Ballerin GAA Hall
Tuesday, 24 February: 7:30pm - Naiscoil, Glenullin GAA Hall
Tuesday, 3 March: 7:30pm - Hub Ballerin GAA Hall
Tuesday, 10 March: 7:30pm - Naiscoil, Glenullin GAA Hall
Wednesday, 18 March: 7:30pm - Venue to be confirmed
Waterside
Dates: Tuesday 24 February, 3 & 10 March, and Wednesday 18 March
Time: 8:00pm (after Mass)
Venue: Parish Hall, St Columb's, Chapel Road, Waterside
Omagh
Dates: Wednesday's of Lent
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Paul and Marjorie Cassidy's
127 Drumnakilly Road
Omagh BT79 0JT
Sycamore Lent Series
(6 weeks)
A six-week video-based Lent series offering a structured yet gentle way to explore faith, pray together, and reflect on what it means to live as a disciple today.
Each evening includes a short Sycamore video, time for quiet reflection, and the opportunity to share together in a supportive group setting. The course is suitable for those new to group prayer as well as those already involved in parish life.
A helpful option for parishes wishing to offer a slightly longer Lent pathway with guided conversation and shared prayer.
Running Sycamore during Lent:
Buncrana
Dates: Thursday's 19 & 26 February, 5, 12 & 19 March
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Inishowen Gateway, Buncrana, Co Donegal
Castlederg
Dates: Wednesdays: starting 25th February (6 sessions)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Patrick's Hall, Castlederg, Co Tyrone
St Mary's Creggan
Dates: Friday's 27 February, 13 & 27 March
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: St Mary's Parochial House Conference Room, Creggan, Derry City
Sycamore Catholic Faith Exploration Videos
Many parish faith communities in the Diocese of Derry are longing to share their faith with others and welcome people into their own communities. Many are looking for programmes and resources that they can use in their teaching, sacramental preparation and catechesis.
Sycamore is a video series introducing the christian faith, a process of evangelization that is sharing the good news of our faith to those who are familiar with the basic ideas.
Sycamore is an informal course about the Christian faith and its relevance for life today. It gives you space to meet other people, share ideas, explore your beliefs, and think about questions that really matter. Each session involves a short film and time for discussion.
What is Sycamore and how can it help your parish, school or chaplaincy? With Fr Stephen Wang
Sycamore - where you can find 20 short videos about every aspect of the Catholic Christian faith.
Introducing Sycamore - A Diocese of Derry webinar with Dr Susan Longhurst
This introductory webinar explores the Sycamore is a video series. Held on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 for clergy and parish pastoral councils / leadership teams of the Diocese of Derry.
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