The Why? Course and the Sycamore Sessions
The Why? Course consists of three informal sessions, with a meal, to explore the Catholic answers to the big questions: Why God? Why Jesus? Why the church?
The WHY? Course runs several times each year in Glossop.
Dates for this course in 2025 are:
1. Saturday 14th June, at St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Road, SK13 8DN. All three sessions in one day, from 10am to 3pm with breakfast and lunch included.
2. Sunday 13th July, at St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Road, SK13 8DN. All three sessions in one day, from 1pm to 5.30pm with lunch and tea included.
3. Three Monday evenings, 4th, 11th and 18th August, at Bradbury Community House, Market Street, SK13 8AR. Each session from 7pm – 8.30pm, and starting with a light meal.
The Sycamore sessions go into more depth about the Christian faith and its relevance for life today.
The sessions give you space to meet other people, share ideas, explore your beliefs, and think about questions that really matter. Each session includes breakfast, a short film and time for discussion.
The Sycamore sessions for 2024 – 2025 concluded recently, this is what some of the participants said:
‘The discussions were enlightening’, ‘Sycamore has been very beneficial in my journey’,
‘This has provided me with the knowledge and awareness to begin the change I want’,
‘Even though I’m not a Catholic or a regular church-goer, I felt my opinions/views were treated with respect’,
‘Enriching & rewarding’.
The Sycamore sessions for 2025 – 2026 begin in September 2025 on Saturdays (6th, 13th, 20th, 27th), 10am – 12noon, at St Mary’s Parish Hall. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. People who think they might want to become a Catholic attend the Sycamore sessions as part of their preparation.
The full programme of Sycamore sessions is:
| Part 1: | |
| September 6th | The Search for Happiness |
| September 13th | The Existence of God |
| September 20th | A God who Speaks |
| September 27th | Who is Jesus |
| Part 2: | |
| October 18th | The Holy Spirit and the Church |
| October 25th | The Bible |
| November 1st | Finding True Freedom |
| Part 3: | |
| November 15th | The Light of Christ |
| November 22nd | Retreat Day: 10am – 3pm |
| The Gift of Faith The Power of Prayer | |
| Part 4: | |
| January 3rd | Creation, Fall and Salvation |
| January 10th | The Meaning of Love |
| January 17th | The Community of the Church |
| January 24th | The Social Teaching of the Church |
| Part 5: | |
| February 7th | The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation |
| February 14th | The Holy Eucharist |
| February 21st | The Christian Vocations |
| Part 6: | |
| March 1st | Mary and the Hope of Heaven |
| March 8th | Retreat Day: 10am – 3pm |
| Forgiveness, Healing and Mission How to Pray |
The videos for the sessions are available at: https://www.sycamore.fm/videos/
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
People who think they might want to become a Catholic attend the Sycamore sessions as part of their preparation.
For more information email us at: sycamore.enquiry@glossopcatholics.org.uk
Or phone us at: 01457 620213