St. Laurence’s Parish Year - Lent Programme 2012

What is the Parish Year?

The Parish Year is a year-long programme that aims to provide a focus for Parish life and to encourage some new and interesting activities. It is organised around three themed seasons:

• Advent - Our Parish Life
• Lent - Our Parish in the Wider World
• Pentecost - Our Parish in Our Neighbourhood

Lent Programme - Our Parish in the Wider World

Saturday, March 3rd, 3pm-6pm: "Thirst for Change"

Join us in St Laurence’s Parish rooms for a range of activities on the theme of Water. The aims are fundraising and awareness in support of CAFOD's Lent Appeal and campaign for clean water and sanitation. But also a chance for some fun!

• Family activities - particularly for children!
• Games/Quiz
• Experiments
• Challenges
• Bookstall
• Teas and cakes

Lent Ecumenical Course

The Parish is getting involved in the York Ecumenical course, hoping to join with members of other churches.

The course is well established and put together by a team of Catholics, Anglicans, and Methodists.  This year's theme is "Handing on the Torch, Sacred Words for a Secular World"

We aim to run two groups at St Laurence’s and hope to also be able to connect people to groups at other churches.

Monday night group: 8pm - Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26

Thursday morning group: 11am - Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Sign up on the lists in the Narthex and Porch - or contact the Parish Office

Lent Talks with Fr Bob - "Climb the Holy Mountain of Easter"

Every Thursday at 4pm in the Parish Room

March 1 - 'JESUS IS TRANSFIGURED ON THE MOUNTAIN'

March 8 - 'JESUS OFFERS THE WATER OF LIFE

March 15 - 'JESUS HEALS THE MAN BORN BLIND'

March 22 - 'JESUS THE FRIEND OF LAZARUS'

March 29 - 'JESUS IN THE GARDEN'

April 5 - 'JESUS IS LORD'

Each talk lasts about 40 minutes and discusses the grand themes of Christian living in the light of the Lenten Gospels: Faith, Hope, Love, Baptism, Prayer, Service, Forgiveness, The Life of the Spirit, Handing on the Faith, Death in the Light of Easter. Each talk is complete in itself and can be appreciated without the rest of the series.

Lent Lunches

Friday March 9, 16, 23, 30

Homemade soup, rolls and cheese, with the proceeds going to charities such as ‘Freedom from Torture’ and providing meals for AIDS orphans in Zambia. Also, a relaxed opportunity for members of our Parish to enjoy a simple meal together.

Liturgy and Prayer

Stations of the Cross - 7.30pm on Fridays. Check the weekly Newsletter for details.

During March, we plan to reflect our Lenten theme through music, prayers, and readings in different languages during some of the Sunday Masses.

Please Get Involved!

A major aim of the Parish Year is to give a chance for more people to get involved both in organising and taking part in Parish activities, particularly those who have not previously had the opportunity. Do join us for the Lent events, and let us know if you could spare a little time to help plan for Pentecost. Contact the Parish Office (01223 704640) or email parishyear@saintlaurence.org.uk