March 16, 2011

CATHEDRAL DEANERY — Local Catholics marked the start of the season of Lent — a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving — March 9 at special Ash Wednesday Masses throughout the archdiocese. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful who wore that sign of their faith throughout the day.

In line with the sacrificial nature of the season, parishes took up a special collection to help support the Catholic Church in Eastern Europe that is emerging from years of suppression under communist rule. This collection supports seminaries, social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral centers, schools, church construction and renovation and the spreading of the Gospel.

CT photos by E.L. Hubbard

Archbishop Schnurr celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass. Pictured at right is Father Raymond Larger.	Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr places ashes on the forehead of a man during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr places ashes on the forehead of a man during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.	A woman receives ashes from Deacon David Klingshirn.