As BCCHS journied as a school community through Lent, students had the opportunity to take part in new opportunities this year to fully embrace this liturgical season and engage in new ways to grow in their faith. For the first time, Central hosted a Lenten Chapel Mass Challenge. Throughout Lent, students had the opportunity to go to chapel Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and if a student wants to win the challenge, the student must attend one of the chapel Masses per week. Additionally, Central offers the Stations of the Cross on Friday mornings in place of the chapel Mass. Other opportunities this Lenten season included the Service Fair, penance services during theology class periods, and the Walking Pilgrimage on Good Friday. Students can engage in this Lenten season as a community, while also growing in their own spiritual life.
Teachers and students participate in the Stations of The Cross on the Friday before Easter Week. (Binh Pham)
Although chapel Mass takes place throughout the school year, the Lenten Chapel Mass Challenge is a great way to motivate and encourage students to attend. Many students have already found that chapel Mass is impactful for them. Senior Sage Sebastian reflected on her experience of attending chapel Mass regularly as she said, “It has helped me to have a more peaceful Lent and really focus on Christ and starting my day with Him.” Students like Sebastian appreciate the fact that chapel Mass gives them a way to connect with God in a peaceful manner, so they can truly center themselves at the start of their school day. Moreover, students also appreciate the fact that they can go to Mass on regular school days during the week. Freshman Payten Barber highly values this aspect as she explained, “I love these experiences because I get to actually connect with God on a daily basis instead of just going on Wednesdays and Sundays.” The Chapel Mass Challenge not only gives students the chance to grow deeper as a community, but also spiritually grow deeper themselves.
Aside from the Chapel Mass Challenge, BCCHS is offering the Stations of the Cross in the chapel on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. due to Fr. John’s absence on Friday mornings while he celebrates Mass at SFC. The Stations of the Cross provide a way for students to take part in a different form of prayer.
Sophomores at a table during the service fair. (Abby Breetz)
Aside from prayer, BCCHS also emphasizes service. On March 10th, Billings organizations in need of volunteers set up information booths in the gym. Students were able to visit the various booths and see how they can take part in local community service efforts. This experience gave students another way to engage in the Lenten Season through the giving of their time to those in need. However, it is equally important to reflect on your own actions as well. During Lent, priests from around the area came to the school for a day. They offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation to students during their theology class period time.
Billings Catholic Schools students, staff, and local catholic community gathering at Mary Queen of Peace catholic perish during their 14.7 mile pilgrimage. (Courtesy )
Additionally, on Good Friday (April 3rd), students were invited to take part in the 3rd Annual Walking Pilgrimage where participants walked 14.7 miles from St. Bernards Parish to St. Patrick’s Co Cathedral. During that time, participants were able to pray together as a community. All these opportunities have shown themselves to be beneficial to growing BCCHS’s students’ faiths and are recommended for everyone.
As BCCHS continues through this season of Lent, students were given many ways to engage. Students can grow as a community, while also connecting and growing spiritually with God at a deeper, personal level. There was an opportunity for every student to take part in this Lenten Season in a new, more meaningful way. Many opportunities offered students the ability to embrace the season of Lent and continue to grow together as a community grounded in faith.
