Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Ashes On The Go

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of Lent. I started my day by receiving ashes on my forehead at my parish school's Mass (where they 'buried the Alleluia' until Easter and the Eighth graders and Kindergartners teamed up to do the Prayers of the Faithful petitions), then continued on with my errands.

Once on the main street, I noticed that the nearby Methodist church was having what they call an "Ash and Dash" program again this year. The event was set up in the parking lot of the city's Athletic Association, which is where the church also has their Christmas tree lot in December.

There was a pop-up tent set with a sign that indicated they were offering Drive-Thru Prayer and Ashes set up right off the street. The lot was divided into lanes with traffic cones, and I could see two clergy people standing and waiting for business.


At our church they ask parishioners to bring in their palms from last year's Palm Sunday to burn and make ashes. I don't know how this church also did it, but I know it's just a coincidence that the event is held right next to a cremation provider.


Five years ago today: Polenta. It's What's For Dinner

13 comments:

  1. I made pancakes yesterday as we dive into Lent.

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  2. "Ash and dash"... That bothers me on a deep level.

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    1. Later in the day a Facebook friend (who is also Catholic as well as a deeply spiritual person) posted that she hadn't been able to attend Mass and took advantage of the drive-through service. She reported that the experience was a positive one, and the quick ceremony helped her remember who she was, where she came from, and where she will return.

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    2. Thanks good to know. I get so discouraged at how many people are "churching it" for others to see rather than for the Lord in truth.

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    3. I can understand this! It seems a bit peculiar, though! But I'm not a Catholic!!

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  3. Drive-thru ashes?

    Why not order them on the Internet? Amazon? E Bay? etc ...

    God bless.

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  4. I am not familiar with the Catholic traditions like Ash Wednesday. It sounds so interesting.

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    1. I just looked it up and read about Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, and the week before Easter. Very interesting to read!

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    2. Glad you were able to learn something.

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  5. I remember seeing a couple of teachers coming into school in Chicago with smudges on their forehead. I had to ask and learn about that tradition. It was all so interesting.

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    1. I bet there were quite a few Catholic teachers in Chicago when you were there.

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