Province High Schools Celebrate Ash Wednesday

(New Rochelle, NY – March 7) – On Wednesday, March 2, five SDB high schools celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass. Although Le Salésien had off for spring break during the week, the SDBs in Sherbrooke celebrated Mass as a community.

As Marrero director Fr. Steven Ryan said during Mass at Archbishop Shaw High School (Archbishop Shaw), “Lent is a time for us to go back to God and improve ourselves as Christians.” Assisted by his puppet Eugene, Fr. Steve explained three things to do during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. He advised the boys to pray more every day on their own to develop a relationship with God. Next, Fr. Steve explained how to make a little sacrifice of giving up something we like, such as using social media wisely. Last, he declared how giving back and doing charity is giving your hands, heart, and help to other people. By doing these three things during Lent, we can get closer to God and become the best men and women that God wants us to be.

Additionally, the Mass was live-streamed via Archbishop Shaw’s Facebook. Click here to watch its entirety.

The New Rochelle community at Salesian High School held individual Masses for each grade. During the Mass for the juniors, Fr. Lou Molinelli reminded students of Don Bosco’s advice to St. Dominic Savio on how to be a saint: “Do ordinary things extraordinarily well.” He advised students and all present to do what we’re supposed to do the very best we can. Additionally, four seniors— José DeLeon, Marco Le Vecchia, Christopher Moronta, and Matthew Santamaría—were formally installed as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

In Ramsey, Don Bosco Prep celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass as a community. Fr. Sasika Lokuhettige reminded the Ironmen to include prayer, fasting, and acts of doing/giving as the focal point of their Lenten journey and as a wat to turn away from sin which brings us closer to God. He reminded the community that Lent means "spring," and we are entering a season of joy. Let's remember to keep each other in our prayers as we embark on this very special time in the Church together.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey in Takoma Park invited the community to join them for Mass through social media. Last, at Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School, students celebrated a Mass together on Wednesday morning. The Mass was celebrated by Tampa director Fr. Franco Pinto and accompanied by a student-led choir.