Lent 2023

'that we may triumph over evil and grow in grace as we prepare to celebrate the Easter mystery with mind and heart renewed'

Lent is a wonderful opportunity for growth and renewal, and we warmly invite you to join us in person or online as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter.

Praying the Rosary

Mondays: 10.30am at St Julian's

In the Rosary we contemplate the mysteries of our salvation. The simple prayer of the Rosary is offered each Monday through the year at St Julian's.

Lent Lunches

Tuesdays in Lent (from 28 February): 12.30pm at St John's

Lent Lunch follows the 12 noon Mass in St John's on Tuesdays in Lent: soup, bread, fruit, cheese and fellowship. Donations in aid of the Bishop of Norwich’s Lent Appeal to support the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge hospice building.

Lent reading group: 'Through Julian's Windows'

Wednesdays in Lent (from 1 March): 3.30pm on Zoom

As we celebrate this year the 650th anniversary of Julian's Shewings in May 1373, we’ll be reading Sr Elizabeth Ruth Obbard's book Through Julian's Windows: Growing into Wholeness with Julian of Norwich. Copies (£10) are available at church, and from good booksellers.

Holy Hour and Benediction

Thursdays in Lent (from 23 February): from 11am at St John's

A meditation or devotional reading, followed by an hour's silent prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Feel free to come and go during this time. Benediction is given at 11.50am and Mass follows at 12 noon.

Stations of the Cross

Fridays in Lent (from 24 February): 12 noon at St John's

A weekly journey with our Lord along the Way of Sorrows, seeking to enter into the mystery of his sufferings and to pray for all who suffer with him today.

There'll also be Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 6pm on Palm Sunday, 2 April.

Sacrifice and Redemption

Saturdays in Lent (from 25 February): 11.30am at St John's

A weekly series of short musical meditations prepares us for our celebration of the Paschal Mystery in Holy Week with beautiful choral music on the theme 'Sacrifice and Redemption'. On 25 February, 11 March, and 1 April, the programme features choral works by Tallis, Goss, Palestrina, Stainer, Phillips, Purcell and Gibbons; on 4 and 18 March, the meditation will be a performance of Benjamin Britten’s canticle ‘Abraham and Isaac’. Mass follows at noon.

The daily Mass

The heartbeat of our parish life, a vital part of Lent

Sunday: 9am at St Julian's; 11am at St John's

Monday: 10am at St Julian's

Tuesday: 12 noon at St John's

Wednesday: 10am at St Julian's

Thursday: 12 noon at St John's

Friday: 5pm at St Julian's

Saturday: 12 noon at St John's

The Bishop of Norwich's Lent Appeal

This Lent parishes in the Diocese of Norwich will be helping to raise money for the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge hospice building, which will increase capacity for end-of-life specialist care in Norfolk and Waveney. Funds received will be in memory of the The Venerable Ian Bentley, Archdeacon of Lynn, who died on 31 May 2022 having been cared for in his final days by staff at the current Priscilla Bacon Lodge in Norwich.

The current lodge was built in 1979 and was donated to the NHS after the facility was built. Since then, several factors have led to a chronic lack of specialist palliative care beds within Norfolk and Waveney.

The new Priscilla Bacon Lodge is being built on an 8 acre site next to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. It will have capacity for 24 beds, providing specialist end of life care for those with the greatest and most acute needs.

Envelopes for your offerings will be available in church: please return them to us by Low Sunday (16 April) and we'll send off all our gifts together. Or you can give online here. Our Lent Lunches on Tuesdays at 12.30pm will also be raising money for the Appeal.