The student news site of La Salle Catholic College Preparatory.

The La Salle Falconer
The student news site of La Salle Catholic College Preparatory.

The La Salle Falconer
The student news site of La Salle Catholic College Preparatory.

The La Salle Falconer
Categories:

Emphasizing Love, La Salle Ash Wednesday Mass Commences Lenten Season

Byline photo of Finn Christensen-McElroy
Byline photo of Roland Zuments
Finn Christensen-McElroy and Roland Zuments
March 5, 2025

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Roland Zuments

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Roland Zuments

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Roland Zuments

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar

  • Lasallians celebrated their faith at the annual Ash Wednesday Mass, commemorating the beginning of Lent and a time period dedicated to fasting and almsgiving.

    Esmé Ryznar
Navigate Left
Navigate Right

La Salle students and staff welcomed the arrival of the Lenten season on Wednesday, March 5, with a Mass commemorating Ash Wednesday and led by Fr. Paul Ybarra.

Lent — a forty day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for Easter — is a time highlighting Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Mr. Carter Powers emphasized in his introductory speech the importance of intentional sacrifice in order to focus on a core part of the Catholic faith: love. 

Echoing this, and symbolizing human mortality and faithfulness towards God, members of the community received an ash cross on their forehead. 

 

More to Discover
More in News
This year’s valedictorians and salutatorians will be attending college mainly in the South and Midwest, with valedictorian Kyra Nguyen headed to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, valedictorian Adina Dominitz starting at Rice University in Houston, salutatorian Esmé Ryznar traveling to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and salutatorian Ali Moran ending up at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Behind the Title: Valedictorians Adina Dominitz and Kyra Nguyen and Salutatorians Ali Moran and Esmé Ryznar Reflect on Their High School Experiences
St. La Salle Day featured a modified version of the standard schedule, with a late start and 1:05 p.m. early dismissal.
St. La Salle Day Brings a Day of Fun to Students’ Home Stretch
Students played a variety of games in the Academic Courtyard such as spikeball, catch, and volleyball.
Leadership Brings Coachella to the Courtyard in Annual St. La Salle Day Dance
After the homily, senior David Sharyan gave advice to each of the classes.
At Annual Founder’s Day Mass, Priest Speaks to the Value of God-Given Sight
Annual St. La Salle Day Talent Show Spotlights Student Musicians
Annual St. La Salle Day Talent Show Spotlights Student Musicians
The decision to implement the phone ban happened over the summer before the 2025-2026 school year, after Principal Ms. Alanna O’Brien met with other principals in the district pursuing similar policies, looking at related research. “It just seemed like a no-brainer,” she said. Now after a year, staff and students have begun to assess the policy’s impacts.
The Phone Ban’s First Year: Students and Staff Assess Successes, Limitations
More in Showcase
The seniors get together to sign out in the main hallway, awaiting their graduation on Saturday, June 6 at Rolling Hills in Tualatin.
Class Of 2026 Signs Off As School Year Closes
Director of Community and Inclusion Mr. Quinn Peoples expressed gratitude for La Salle community members after prom took place. “The things that make the events are the people in our community,” he said. “I was just really grateful we were able to sell the number of tickets that we had.”
How Mr. Peoples and Leadership Took La Salle Students to “La La Land”
While the issue may not affect everyone, La Salle students across each grade encounter houselessness to at least some extent.
Houselessness in Portland As Seen Through the Eyes of Lasallians
Senior Ali Moran plans to continue her service at Creighton University, studying political science and Spanish, with hopes of going into immigration law.
Ali Moran Receives Clackamas County Rotary Club Award, Highlighting Years of Service
One thing that senior Eleanor Simpson deeply appreciates about playing softball at La Salle is the community. “It’s been really great having the same girls,” she said. “We all see each other every day. We’re all super connected now.”
Next Level Seniors: Sweeping through a Decade of Softball, Eleanor Simpson Commits to Santa Clara University
La Salle students may remember Angelina Lopez ‘24 as M’Lynn Eatenton in “Steel Magnolias” or as the title character in “Prometheus,” both two years ago. Currently, she studies music education at Portland State University.
Angelina Lopez ’24 Finds Her Voice at Portland State University
About the Contributors
Finn Christensen-McElroy
Finn Christensen-McElroy, Editor in Chief
Senior Finn Christensen-McElroy was born in San Francisco, California, and moved to Oregon at the age of seven. Her favorite classes this year are Advanced Journalism, AP English 4, and Marine Biology. Growing up near the California coast, Finn fostered a love of nature and the outdoors from a young age, and hopes to pursue a career where she could balance both writing and environmental or marine science. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music, run, hang out with friends, and play with her dog, Maeve. Though it changes often, her current favorite book is “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab.
Roland Zuments
Roland Zuments, Staff Reporter
Sophomore Roland Zuments joined the La Salle community in 2023, and currently is in his second semester in journalism. Aside from his involvement in The Falconer, Roland also participates in the Speech and Debate team for La Salle, hoping to refine his existing speaking skills and use them to gain success in tournaments. Roland also has many out of school activities he enjoys, such as archery. He can be found at local archery ranges with his favorite old-school bow. History is another one of Roland’s hobbies. He loves to educate himself by listening to “The History of Everything Podcast,” which covers various historical topics in an entertaining way, with Roman history being Roland’s favorite historical topic. When he isn’t practicing his archery or learning about history, Roland can be found playing Fallout 76 with his friends online. In the future, Roland wants to attend the University of Oregon and hopefully pursue a medical career.