Ash Wednesday Mass in the Grotto

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS BRINGS ON CAMPUS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

On Wednesday, March 2, the Mater Dei community came together in prayer to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass in the Grotto. Normally, all-school Masses take place in the Meruelo Athletic Center. But the event was moved outside to the Grotto this year for several reasons.

“The beauty of the Grotto enhanced with the Stations of the Cross on the tress and the purple draped cross was the perfect location for this year’s Mass,” said Ms. Helen Steves, Executive Director of Campus Ministry.

In addition to the symbols of our faith that carry us through Lent, blue and yellow bouquets and a prayer candle were present in honor of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Our Ash Wednesday Mass theme featured faculty and staff who have a current student at Mater Dei. Mr. Josh Avendano ’97, Director of Information Technology, and his son, Jason ‘25 (pictured on our cover), were honored to be a part of the procession into Mass.

“I was so honored when Ms. Steves asked me. As an alumnus, it was so special to share this tradition with my son who is following in the footsteps of so many members of our family as a second-generation Monarch. I felt so blessed,” said Mr. Avendano.

While it was a bright and sunny day, the mood in the Grotto was somber and reverent. “Even in these most challenging times, our students were deeply respectful. I am proud of them, and I credit the daily work of our incredible Religious Studies Department for preparing them for this Mass,” said Ms. Steves. Father Anthony Bautista, was thrilled to preside over his first all-school Mass. Father Anthony arrived from the Philippines last

Fr. Anthony Bautista was honored to celebrate his first all-school Mass. May and began his position as our campus chaplain on July 1. He is a member of the Disciples of Mary and lives in a community house in Anaheim.

“Each day we hold Mass in our chapel during lunch. I also preside over Masses with our sports teams and campus groups. Celebrating Mass in front of the whole school [of 2,150 students and 200+ faculty/staff] was amazing. Of course, I feel nervous before every Mass. But it was a great experience to be with the entire community,” he said.

There are many layers of preparation for all-school Masses at Mater Dei including planning the logistics with our facilities team, the environment with our florist, the powerful and prayerful music led by our senior chamber singers and musicians and working with our extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

“It was a gift to be able to begin our 2022 Lenten Journey united at our All-School Ash Wednesday Mass. It always inspires me that so many of our faculty, staff and students step up to share in the numerous ministries of our Mass,” said Ms. Steves.

We went forth from our Ash Wednesday Mass asking the Lord to change our hearts so that we may live Lent and beyond with Honor, Glory, and Love.