Many people may be reluctant to give up bad habits, but for Wayne State’s Newman Catholic Center, it is cause for celebration. The center will kick off the Christian period Lent with two Masses at its chapel Feb. 17, or Ash Wednesday for Roman Catholics.
During Lent, Catholics reflect on ways they may not have always done God’s will, according to Anny Klesko, campus minister for the Center.
“Usually Catholics will give up something pertaining to a particular bad habit, such as candy or pop if they might indulge too much, or they might say extra prayers or do more acts of service,” she said.
At the services, Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads in the figures of crosses.
“This reminds us of what we are to do in our Lenten journey, namely correct our faults and prepare for the coming of Jesus at Easter,” Klesko said.
The Ash Wednesday services have been popular in the past. Juliegha Norus, vice president of the Newman Catholic Student Organization, remembers both of last year’s Masses.
“At the noon Mass … the chapel was packed and we had people standing in the back,” she said.
Klesko said she expects a similar turnout of about 50 attendants.
“There does seem to be a larger show of people across campuses nationwide for this particular Mass than any other Mass that campus ministries might provide,” she said.
The services are open to the public. Ronald Aronson , distinguished professor of the history of ideas at WSU and author of “Living Without God: New Directions for Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists, and the Undecided,” said the center’s services is as upstanding as any other religious organization.
“I don’t see that they’re trying to impose themselves on other people on campus,” he said. “Their purpose is to be a place where Catholics feel comfortable gathering and that’s fine.”
However, only Catholics are allowed to receive Communion or the Eucharist.
The first mass is at 12 p.m. and the second is six hours later.
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