PORT CLINTON – While Ash Wednesday may be different for many this year, local parishioners looking to partake in the Christian tradition marking the start of Lent will have options throughout the area.
The question about how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will impact the traditional services of Ash Wednesday is one Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, of the Toledo Catholic Diocese, said he has been asked about.
The topic came up a few times during the most recent episode of his radio show, “The Bishop’s Corner,” which airs at 4:30 p.m. every Thursday on WHRQ 88.1 in Port Clinton, where he answers questions from listeners.
Thomas explained that it is up to each pastor in their own parishes to determine what the best practical judgment is regarding how to distribute ashes for their respective communities, citing a memorandum from The Holy See, or the Vatican.
However, Thomas pointed out that the note also includes recommendations on different ways to distribute ashes specifically during a pandemic.
“In pandemic time, you may distribute ashes in a more ancient way,” he said. “The reality is, there is a more ancient way than (the cross) on the forehead we are familiar with.”
This “more ancient” way involves the sprinkling of ashes on the crown of the head.
According to the memo, the method is a customary practice in other parts of the world and numerous popes have received and distributed ashes that way, “as it recalls the biblical example of wearing sackcloth and ashes to atone for one’s sinfulness.”
Though, using that method is not mandatory.
“(Pastors are) welcome to distribute ashes in either fashion, again, according to the pastoral needs of their community,” Thomas said.
He also pointed out that receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday is optional as there is no rule requiring Catholics to do so.
But for those that do decide to participate in the tradition, Thomas does not think it should pose a greater risk.
“Everybody’s wearing a mask,” he said. “I don’t see it as any greater danger, or any greater compromise or risk in distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday than there is in distributing communion.”
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Immaculate Conception Church, 414 Madison St. in Port Clinton, will be holding their Ash Wednesday services at 8:30 a.m., with ashes at 12:15 p.m., and 7 p.m.
St. Ann and St. Joseph Catholic Parishes in Fremont will be holding their Ash Wednesday services at 8 a.m. and noon for St. Ann Church, 1021 W. State St., then at 5 p.m. for St. Joseph Church, 709 Croghan St.
“Because of COVID, the schedule is a little bit different this year from past years,” said the Rev. Michael Roemmele.
Roemmele also noted that it is not a holy day of obligation, but they would certainly love to see those who are able to safely attend on Wednesday.
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And it is not just the Catholic Diocese that are doing things differently this year.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 705 W. State St. in Fremont, will be hosting a drive-in service for Ash Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Minister Maureen Pump explained that the service takes place in St. John’s parking lot and that worship will include communion and ashes, which will be safely distributed to each vehicle upon entering.
As with their other “Drive-In Church” services, the Ash Wednesday worship is open to all.
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