Penitential season of Lent begins

Jeff Witherow & John Haeger / Catholic Courier | 03.02.2017

Catholics from across the diocese marked the beginning of Lent with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, March 1. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano imposed ashes on students of Siena Catholic Academy in Brighton, who attended Mass at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. Parishioners also received ashes at St. Patrick Church in Cato, St. John Church in Port Byron and St. Michael Church in Rochester.

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Siena Catholic Academy student Caitlyn Hancock receives ashes during an Ash Wednesday Mass at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church March 1. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Meghan Gleason listens to Bishop Salvatore R. Matano give the homily during the Ash Wednesday Mass at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Sixth grader Gabe Zawolo sits after receiving ashes at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Tricia Toth kneels in prayer during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Mary Grace Magguilli sings in the choir loft before Mass at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Siena Catholic Academy students join hands in prayer at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Bishop Matano speaks to Siena Catholic Academy students during his homily at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Dominic Bronco receives ashes from Bishop Matano at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Meghan Bartholomay kneels in prayer at Brighton’s St. Thomas More Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Carmen Barbosa receives ashes at Rochester’s St. Michael Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Father William McGrath prepares the ashes during Mass at Rochester’s St. Michael Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Julia Perez receives ashes at Rochester’s St. Michael Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Father William McGrath distributes ashes during Mass at Rochester’s St. Michael Church. — *Courier photo by Jeff Witherow*

Father William Darling prepares the ashes for distribution during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Church in Cato March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Father William Darling imposes ashes on Connie Colonies during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Church in Cato March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Father William Darling imposes ashes on Emily Dillon during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Church in Cato March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Debbie Titus reflects after receiving ashes during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Church in Cato March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Father William Darling prepares the ashes for distribution during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. John Church in Port Byron March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Father William Darling imposes ashes on Robert Deverell during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. John Church in Port Byron March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

Father William Darling imposes ashes on Walter Sheehan during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. John Church in Port Byron March 1. — *Courier photo by John Haeger*

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