Much has changed since Dorothy Couturier was a school girl observing Lent. But the significance of the practice is no less important to her today than it was 50 years ago.

RYAN KORSON and Katherine Miller were crowned King
and Queen at the St. Mary School Homecoming Friday.
Senior court members were Susan Herman, Breanna
Korson, Sarah Schaub, T.J. Eichenlaub, Adam Furore
and David O’Connor. Other court members were juniors
Missy Nelson and Eric Smith, sophomores Kelsey Collins
and Scott Grant, and freshmen Claire Garthe and Aaron
Helwig.

“I’ve always thought (Lent) was important. Maybe it’s because I lived so close to the school,” said the Lake Leelanau woman who grew up on Louisa Street, near the St. Mary church and school. She went to confession each Saturday at the church, which was just down the hill. “Young people don’t feel that way anymore.”

This week’s celebration of Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten season, a 40-day period before Easter in which Christians prepare spiritually for the Resurrection of Christ. People throughout the county attended services in which palm ashes were placed on their foreheads in the sign of the cross, marking the beginning of preparations for Easter. Although it’s not a designated Holy Day, on which attendance at church is obligatory, many attend services on Ash Wednesday.

“It’s a good way to start to season,” said the Rev. Michael Janowski, pastor of Lake Leelanau St. Mary and Holy Rosary Church. “It begins a time of fasting and abstinence when we eat less than we normally eat or cut down on portions.”

The 40 days of Lent represent the time Jesus spent in the desert and was tempted by the devil.

It’s also a time of penance, alms giving, and a time to “give up” or sacrifice an indulgence. Abstaining from meat each Friday is observed by most Catholics, and those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

“The thought is that by doing without we empty our hearts so they can be filled with the joy of Easter,” Janowski said.

Lenten fish dinners begin this week at Lake Leelanau St. Mary and continue each Friday through Easter, alternating between St. Mary and Holy Rosary, near Cedar. Holy Rosary’s fish dinners are Feb. 15, 29 and March 14. In addition to this week, St. Mary will host dinners Feb. 22 and March 7. Meals at both churches will be served from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

The Lenten season is also observed by Lutherans, with each individual church and pastor deciding upon activities and what’s done. However, their faith closely parallels the themes expanded upon by the Roman Catholics.

“(Lent) is a big part of our church year,” said the Rev. Robert Wurst, pastor of St. Paul’s Church, Good Harbor. The onset of Lent was noted with an additional service this week. “I don’t do ashes (for Ash Wednesday) here, but there are plenty of Lutheran churches that do, including Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City.”

Wurst said the ways in which his church members observe the season is left to them.

MARK GAUBATZ, principal of St. Mary School, evaluates
one of the student creations during the snow sculpture contest
held during the National Catholic Schools Week celebration at
St. Mary School last week. The best overall creation was a
Komodo dragon constructed by first graders Otto Mork,
Shannon Popp, Connor Ruseel and Evan Smith and sixth
graders Jason Pease, Julie Verellen, Joel Zemanek and
Collin Platts.

“Some fast, some give alms to the poor,” he said. “I remind them where our ‘alms’ box is and that what they give is distributed to the needy in the area.”

In addition, Wurst expands upon the themes of repentance and absolution and makes himself available to hear confessions.

“It’s a good time to focus on the word of God … to study more and try to discipline the flesh,” Wurst said. “It helps the focus the mind some and make it more attentive to the meaning of Easter.”

Couturier agrees. She attends Mass daily throughout Lent and closely observes the church rules, which were introduced to her during her school days at St. Mary.

“Catholic School is the only place where children learn about this,” she said. “It’s not important to everybody anymore. But … it’s our life.”