This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (Ash Wednesday).
Here we offer a ready-to-use parish prayer resource for Lent from the Diocese of Derry, designed for small parish groups to gather each week to pray with the Sunday Gospel, watch a short Sycamore video and reflect together.
A Simple Parish Prayer Resource for Lent
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.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is suitable for:
- Parish Pastoral Councils/Leadership Teams
- Parish prayer 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. Simply download the handouts and use them in a way that best suits your parish — whether as part of a pastoral 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
Preparation & Parish Bulletin
A short leaflet is provided with practical tips for:
- preparing for the gathering;
- creating a sacred space; and
- a parish bulletin notice that can be adapted locally to help promote participation.
Size: A4
Number of pages: 3
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
PowerPoint Slides
File Size: 14.6MB
Number of slide: 35
Format: PowerPoint
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.