“Strength, Fortitude, and Courage” set the mood for the Academy Student Body on Ash Wednesday, as President Arthur Raimo opened the assembly with those three words.  Those three words he said will “help us to live up to our Lentin promises.” Also, he announced that the Mass would be the next to last school-wide Mass for Academy Seniors.

K-12 students joined together in the opening song “Come Follow Me” as Father Bruce Craig of Mary Help of Christians entered the  Brady Center, the Church.  Sophomore Colleen McInerney read the first reading, followed by Gini Barreda with the second reading.  The Responsorial Psalm  “Be Merciful, O Lord for We Have Sinned” was sung and led by Senior Charmagne Bondoc.

Father Bruce Craig’s message in the homily was “to be an Ambassador of Christ.” He reminded students that becoming an ambassador of Christ does not happen overnight and that  it takes time and preparation.  “Lent helps us to achieve the status of an ambassador when we live up to our sacrifices and promises. Jesus resisted temptation in the desert for forty days is an example for us to live up to. Overall, living our lives as Catholics is important for our preparation in becoming an Ambassador.”

The Mass featured songs sung and led by the Worship Band, such as “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ King of Endless Glory” and “Communion of Meditation.”

The Mass ended with the much-anticipated placing on of the ashes. The Priest and Eucharistic ministers all helped with distribution.  Each student left in silence with the resolve to begin Lent on the right foot and with good resolutions.