The Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School community began the Lenten season with Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrating an Ash Wednesday Mass for students, faculty and staff.
The bishop encouraged students to embrace Lent as a time of almsgiving, prayer and fasting. He also emphasized the importance of mercy for self and others.
Following Mass, principal Dan Garrick guided Bishop Fernandes on a tour of the school. The bishop visited classrooms and interacted with students during their family homeroom.
The visit gave students a special opportunity to meet the bishop personally and share about their family homeroom activity.
During family homeroom, groups learn about a local service agency. Students research what organizations do, who they serve and why their work is important in the community.
They create posters for the school’s upcoming service fair. Posters ensure all students have an opportunity to learn about local agencies and ways they can volunteer.
Students were also given time for quiet reflection on their Lenten sacrifices and personal commitments for the season. As a visible reminder of their promises, a cross with reflections was placed in the school’s main entrance. It symbolizes the community’s shared journey through Lent.
The school’s Winter Kairos retreat student leaders also met with Bishop Fernandes. The students reflected on their experiences leading the recent retreat. They spoke about a calling to draw their peers closer to Christ.
Bishop Fernandes shared personal stories, connecting with the high schoolers’ journeys. His encouragement to continue serving as leaders in the Church inspired students on Ash Wednesday as they begin the Lenten season.