Phoenix parishioners observe Ash Wednesday, start of season dedicated to 'living for others'
Students of the SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral School and their families gathered in pews beneath the colorful morning light cast by the stained-glass windows in the cathedral to honor Ash Wednesday, a Christian holiday celebrated by at least 1.1 million Phoenicians, marking the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season.
"It’s a reminder to us that we’re not in charge of this world," Bishop John P. Dolan said to The Arizona Republic. Dolan is the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and led the all-school Mass. "It’s just a way for us not to become overly gloated about ourselves and to trust in God.”
As the voices of the K-8 students choir echoed through the large cathedral, Dolan took the pulpit to conduct the blessing and distribution of the ashes, a tradition that involves painting ash in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of parishioners to symbolize repentance and conversion.
According to Dolan, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a 40-day spiritual deep dive that focuses on three main components: fasting, alms giving and prayer.
"By the end of the 40 days of Lent and Easter, we aim to be a better version of ourselves," Dolan said.
A season dedicated to others
Putting a spotlight on charities and community-driven causes is a big part of the Lenten period, Dolan said.
"We focus on rolling up our sleeves, making sure we're not just living for ourselves, but we're living for others," he said.
Parishioners with the Diocese of Phoenix will put an increased focus on supporting the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, a faith-based volunteer charity that focuses on providing clothing, shelter, health care and support to individuals and families in need across Arizona, the bishop said.
He added that students of the SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral School will have the opportunity to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, a nationwide initiative that encourages students to put money in a donation box that will be given to charities championing local and global food security efforts at the end of the 40-day period.
For Chip Love, a teacher who has worked in the music department at the SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral School for 25 years, Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season is an opportunity to see personal growth in his students and his community.
“I see how the training these kids have had here affects how they behave. They put out wonderful vibes and it’s just a great community to be in," Love said. "Especially on a day like today when we come to reform ourselves and try to be a better person. I really see it in the kids.”
The theme of community was a common one for many of the Ash Wednesday Mass attendees.
"It’s beautiful to be here with the bishop and it’s such a wonderful community, it’s very welcoming," said Annie Buehnerkemper, a parent and parishioner who participated in the Wednesday morning Mass.
Angela Gonzales, a senior reporter with the Phoenix Business Journal and cantor at the cathedral, took the day off from work to sing during Mass.
"It's just such a beautiful experience to get to start our Lenten journey," Gonzales said, referring to the joy she took in singing with the students. "It helps you to get in that penitential mode and just start preparing for the 40 days before Easter."
Focusing on the good news
The Lenten season focuses on retreating and abstaining from things that prohibit parishioners from going deep into their spiritual journey, with an increased focus on getting closer to God, according to Dolan.
To him, that means giving up the news. "No offense to you guys," he said to a Republic reporter with a laugh.
Dolan, who has been an advocate for mental health throughout his career, said he has seen increased anger in society and wants to focus on "good news rather than bad news" over the next 40 days.
"Our general mental health can get hampered when we are filling ourselves with so many things," Dolan said. "Bad food or overabundance of food, focus on news and the media — we’re just not taking any time to quiet ourselves. We’re healthier people when we do quiet ourselves."
Dolan opened the diocese's first Mental Health Ministry in December 2022 and instituted an annual Mass of remembrance for people who took their own lives. That Mass takes place every September at SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral.
The SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral will hold two more Ash Wednesday services on Feb. 22; one of them will be bilingual and is expected to be standing room only, while the last service of the day will be fully in Spanish.
Additional Ash Wednesday Services
St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix
6:30 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in English.
SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
6 p.m. ― Bilingual Liturgy of the Word.
8 p.m. ― Liturgy of the Word in Spanish.
St. Matthew Parish, 320 N. 20th Drive, Phoenix
5 p.m. ― Liturgy of the Word in English.
6 p.m. ― Liturgy of the Word in Spanish.
St. Mary’s Church, 3200 S. Cooper Road, Chandler
6 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in English.
7:30 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish.
San Juan Diego Parish, 3200 S. Cooper Road, Chandler
6 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in English.
7:30 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish.
St. John Vianney, 800 W. Loma Linda Blvd., Goodyear
6 p.m. ― Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish.
8 p.m. ― Bilingual Mass.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix parishioners celebrate Ash Wednesday, start of Lenten season
