Services were held at schools and school-parishes of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board to commemorate Ash Wednesday this week. At St. Mary School, Father Gerry Lalonde of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Capreol blessed the ashes that were used in the school’s service. “The ashes were once the palms that were used during Palm Sunday,” explained School Principal, Mrs. Waszczylo as she lead the celebration and anointed the classroom teachers.

Meanwhile, secondary school students, teachers and staff at Marymount Academy also celebrated the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service. They were joined by Sudbury Catholic District School Board staff in the afternoon celebration, which included the distribution of ashes. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of forty days of preparation for Easter Sunday, a time when individuals are encouraged to make an extra effort to grow in their relationship with God.