Catholics from around the diocese marked the start of Lent with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. Students at St. Pius Tenth School in Chili attended an Ash Wednesday liturgy celebrated by Father Paul Bonacci at St. Pius Tenth Church’s parish hall. In Freeville, Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra imposed ashes on parishioners during a liturgy at Holy Cross Church.
Father Paul Bonacci imposes ashes on the forehead of St. Pius Tenth kindergartner Giuliana Gambino during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Pius Tenth Church’s parish hall in Chili. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
St. Pius Tenth School students sing in the choir before Mass. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
St. Pius Tenth School fourth-grader Elizabeth Michaels processes into Mass. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
Father Paul Bonacci blesses the ashes. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
St. Pius Tenth School kindergartner Luciano Fusilli sits after receiving ashes. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
Father Paul Bonacci imposes ashes on the foreheads of Chelsea Budgen and her infant son, Dean Budgen. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
A parishioner receives ashes. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
Father Paul Bonacci distributes Communion. (Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)
Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra, parochial administrator at Holy Cross in Freeville, blesses the ashes during Mass on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. (Courier photo by John Haeger)
Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra imposes ashes on the forehead of Lorena Bobnick. (Courier photo by John Haeger)
Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra imposes ashes on the forehead of Rita Pirsic. (Courier photo by John Haeger)
Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra imposes ashes on the forehead of Eky Hohendahl. (Courier photo by John Haeger)
Sharon Buechel prays after receiving ashes at Holy Cross in Freeville. (Courier photo by John Haeger)
