Peace in Ukraine among the prayers many in Tri-State Area are saying this Ash Wednesday
NEW YORK -- Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Christians around the world.
CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke to Catholic students in East Flatbush who say their focus is on praying for peace.
Some who attend Cristo Rey High School on East 37th Street were receiving ashes on their foreheads in the sign of the cross.
"I'm giving up meat for Lent," 12th grader Alana Battau said.
"I've also given up words that aren't exactly appropriate to use in certain situations," 10th grader Michael Adams said.
"Instead of giving up, I'm going to add habits on that I want to, so like working out every day," 12th grader Camiah Small added.
Wednesday marked the start of a 40-day holy period for Christians filled with sacrifice and charity, in preparation for Easter, the resurrection of Christ.
"Basically, for us in the church it's a time of renewal, a time to reset, if you will, to draw closer to the Lord," Bishop Brennan said.
The bishop said it's also a time to be charitable, help your neighbor, and pray for peace, adding with the ongoing pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world can often feel divided.
"I pray for the people of Ukraine. I pray that the pandemic soon be over hopefully," Battau said.
"I'm thinking about being more kind towards people who I see are different than me," Adams said.
"I feel like we've gotten used to things being out of our hands, but there are things we can do. You can spread awareness online. You can donate," Small added.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, distributed food at Saint Francis of Assisi in Midtown, Manhattan.
"All of our prayers and all of our penance, which Lent is about, are worthless if they're not accompanied by charity and love," Dolan said.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis took to Twitter to say "May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war."
During Lent the last two years of the pandemic church services were limited. This year, Christians say some normalcy is returning and they will pray for peace in the world too.
Masses are being celebrated citywide on Wednesday, including at St. Patrick's Cathedral, where ashes will be distributed through 7 p.m.