Campus Ministry continues Lenten services

By Justine Long

Campus Ministry is finding new ways to connect with students, faculty, and alumni by offering resources and prayer opportunities to help people cope with the fear and disruption caused by COVID-19.

Services, talks, and reflections will be recorded and posted on social media as well as sent in email form. In addition, H.O.P.E. and spirituality groups will now be meeting online.

“All of our public masses and programs on campus have been canceled,” Director of Campus Ministry and Alumni Minister, Rev. Anthony Szakaly, C.S.C., said. “However, the office phone and main email are being answered remotely and all Campus Ministry staff are available.”

In addition, Campus Ministry hopes to live stream Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday masses.

“It is our hope to be able to live stream these liturgies to the Stonehill Community so that they can pray in Solidarity with us,” Szakaly said.

On Feb. 26, the College celebrated Ash Wednesday by holding multiple services to signify the first day of Lent and the sacrifices made by Jesus.

Students had the opportunity to receive ashes and attend mass from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Donahue Hall, Chapel of Mary, Boland Hall, Holy Cross Center, New Hall, and O’Hara Hall.

“It varies slightly from year to year, but I would say roughly there were 130-150 people total at each of the masses in the Chapel of Mary, and 40-60 students at each of the four masses in the halls,” Campus Minister for Faith Formation, Rev. Bryan A. Williams, C.S.C., said. “The mass in Donahue was standing room only after extra chairs were added.”

These services were similar to a typical mass except for the distribution of the ashes. The priest used the blessed ash to make a cross on the person’s forehead while saying, “remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

“There was a great sense of community at the mass,” sophomore Erin Sousa, who attended the 12 p.m. service, said. “It really helped me remember why we celebrate the season of Lent in the Church… receiving the ashes is such a powerful reminder of Jesus’ suffering for us.”

People kept the ashes on all day as a symbol of the holy day of prayer and fasting.

Students also observed that the Chapel of Mary was full during the 4:35 p.m. mass.

“Having the chapel full made the mass more impactful for me,” senior Jill Oliver said. “I think the campus did a good job by adding extra masses and having multiple opportunities to receive ashes.”

Lent pays tribute to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying, and saying no to temptation. It represents making a personal sacrifice and reorienting one’s life in prayer, as well as keeping one primed to be able to resist temptation’s urge.

Many students are participating in Lent, giving up something that they do not need or actively doing something new.

“Make it count, don’t cheat yourself by denying yourself something easy to do without,” Campus Minister for Music and Liturgy, Philip Pereira, said. “Find something that will remind you daily of your Lenten sacrifice.”

However, much has changed since the semester is now being done remotely.

Sophomore Lauretta Grant started by going for a new approach this year.

“I want to try to do more for others. I am trying to give out three or more compliments a day.” Grant said.

Since the quarantine, Grant has had to rethink.         

“I haven’t really come around to making a new goal, I have just been trying to be patient with my family and kind to others.” Grant said.

Other sacrifices students are making for Lent are social media, watching Netflix, and swearing.

“It’s not about trying to give up something big, but a smaller Lenten penance to which we can commit,” Williams said. “It pokes to remind us of why we are doing it in the first place.”

With no access to mass, confession, and other programs, people might struggle with their faith during Lent, according to Szakaly.

“I think the world can benefit during Lent during this by being self-reflective,” Grant said. “Despite work and school, we have more time to spend taking care of our minds.”

Campus Ministry will be sending out updates through email and social media.