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Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Lenten journey begins

Published March 11. 2025 12:28PM
by

BY TAMI QUIGLEY

Special to the Bethlehem Press

Christians in Bethlehem joined with Christians around the world March 5 in marking Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the six weeks of penitence that culminates in the joyous celebration of Christ’s Resurrection on Easter.

Notre Dame of Bethlehem Roman Catholic Church and Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church are two of the many Bethlehem area parishes that observed Ash Wednesday with services.

Notre Dame of Bethlehem, at 1861 Catasauqua Road, offered the Imposition of Ashes at each of its Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The faithful at Holy Cross gathered for a service with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes at noon at the church at 2700 Jacksonville Road.

“Lent is a really good time to take up battle against evil as soldiers of Christ,” Father Bernard Ezaki, in residence at Notre Dame of Bethlehem, said in a homily geared toward students from Notre Dame of Bethlehem School who attended the 8:45 a.m. Mass.

Father Ezaki said almsgiving, prayer and fasting – which Jesus highlights in the day’s Gospel reading according to Matthew – “fortify us and make us stronger in the fight against evil.”

The Rev. David Brown, pastor of Holy Cross, also reflected on the importance of Jesus’ words on almsgiving, prayer and fasting discussed in the Gospel of Matthew, and encouraged those not medically able to fast in the traditional sense to engage in spiritual fasting.

“Lent is a penitential journey with Jesus,” Pastor Brown said. “May God use this season of Lent to draw you into a deeper love relationship with Christ.”

Pastor Brown encouraged the faithful to be “treasure — seekers,” not of things of this earth, but rather treasurers in heaven.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Pastor Brown said, referencing Matthew 6:21.

“Let us with a pure heart seek heavenly treasures ... on our Lenten journey,” Pastor Brown said.

Karen Brown, wife of Pastor Brown and church secretary at Holy Cross, noted the church will offer midweek Lenten services on Wednesdays in Lent, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 and 9. The evening will begin with a light meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by a service at 6:30 p.m. that will feature readings, videos, prayers and personal testimonies

Father Bernard Ezaki, in residence at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Roman Catholic Church, and Deacon William Urbine, to his right, impose ashes on the foreheads of students from Notre Dame of Bethlehem School during the 8:45 a.m. Mass Ash Wednesday, March 5. Also dispensing ashes during the liturgy are, from left, Msgr. Thomas Baddick and Deacon Richard Sewald. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, when Christians receive ashes and are reminded, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The Rev. David Brown, pastor of Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, marks the forehead of Evelyn Malozi with ashes during the noon service with communion and Imposition of Ashes. Lent is a 40-day period of penitence and fasting culminating with the joyful Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.
Father Bernard Ezaki blesses the ashes during the morning Mass at Notre Dame. The ashes are a mark of our repentance and reminder of our mortality.
Pastor David Brown imposes ashes on the foreheads of Pat and Dennis Gilbert during the service at Holy Cross.
PRESS PHOTOS BY TAMI QUIGLEYSchool students and parishioners gather for the Mass on Ash Wednesday morning at Notre Dame.
Ash Wednesday is observed at Holy Cross, which will offer midweek Lenten services preceded by a soup supper.
Franciscan Sister Martha Zammatore receives a cross of ashes from Father Bernard Ezaki.