'Ashes to Go' for Lent

By ANGELA CAVE- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

An Ash Wednesday "experiment" in giving parishioners containers of ashes to distribute outside of church proved successful at St. Mary's parish in Amsterdam last week.

"People really seemed to like it and benefit from it," said Rev. John Medwid, pastor. "I think the challenge for us as a faith community is making those connections to the wider society. The future is not necessarily bringing people into the building itself."

About 200 parishioners received the containers the weekend before Ash Wednesday and were instructed on what to say while giving someone ashes and how to properly dispose of leftover ashes (bury them, return them to the church or dilute them with water).

"It's not as strict as communion," Father Medwid said. "That's what makes it easier" to involve laypeople.

Father Medwid had proposed the idea after reading about a Milwaukee priest who gave out ashes on a street corner and called it "Ashes to Go." In Amsterdam, parishioners were told to give them out wherever they found themselves, from workplaces to recreational activities. Father Medwid also hoped ashes would find their way to homebound parishioners and neighbors.

"Maybe it would connect with people who may not come to church," he figured.

A few parishioners reported back about their experiences. One distributed ashes to Dunkin' Donuts customers; another, at a senior center bingo game. Father Medwid gave ashes to volunteers and guests at a soup kitchen, and one parishioner gave them to neighbors who had buried their son that morning.

"They really appreciated that moment," Father Medwid said.

St. Mary's still saw at least 600 people at its noon Ash Wednesday Mass.

"Ashes are such a big draw for so many people," the priest said. "They come in droves on Ash Wednesday."[[In-content Ad]]