Bishop Edward Burns of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas began the season of Lent by celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass at the UTD Alumni Center on February 18. It was part of his ongoing effort to connect with and encourage student Catholics.
“I invited myself. I know that there are a lot of young people who go on a search and journey for a spiritual life, for God, and as the shepherd of this church I wanted to bring it to them. That is why I am here,” he said, adding that he was initially impressed with UTD students who would travel off-campus seeking a parish to participate in.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a 40-day church season marked by fasting, prayer and penance, which culminates on Easter Sunday.
UTD’s Catholic students are observing Lent in a variety of ways. Some are giving up meat on Fridays while others fast during the daytime, eating only at night. Others are avoiding social media, focusing on reading instead.
Cooper Machicek, an ATEC student, chose to give up YouTube for Lent.
“I think it’s an unnecessary thing to keep up with,” he said. “Lent has been an intense reflection. I am learning to appreciate things better and avoid unnecessary attachments.”
The bishop said that Lent encourages Catholics to become better people.
“Lent is an opportunity for us to focus on how the Lord is calling us to holiness. The Lord wants to give us his heart. He created a clean heart in each one of us, and we have to keep that heart clean. Lent helps us do that,” Burns said. “In the Catholic tradition, we are mindful of ways we cleanse our heart: reconciliation, penance, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and confession. All of these prepare us for the celebration of the joy of Easter. Lent helps us ground ourselves in the reality that we are God’s children; all made in his likeness. Lent helps us to be a better person and treat everyone as if they are your brother and sister, because they are.”
Because UTD has become special to him, Burns has committed to holding Ash Wednesday Mass on campus each year. He also encourages students to visit the nearby Tinker Catholic Center, which can function as a “spiritual home away from home,” nurturing their spiritual growth and fostering a sense of community through faith-sharing and social events.
“The center is an opportunity for students of all faiths to come for recreation, to socialize, to pray and to find a quiet place to study,” Burns said. “It really is our opportunity to accompany the students of UTD.”
