Faith Lutheran Church in White Oak hosts annual 'Ash and Dash' event for Ash Wednesday
WHITE OAK, Pa. (KDKA) -- Wednesday was not only Valentine's Day, but it was also Ash Wednesday. It marks the start of the Lenten season before the celebration of Easter.
People across the region drove up to churches, including Faith Lutheran in White Oak to get their ashes, as they figured out how to celebrate Valentine's Day too.
It may not have been her church, but for the second time, Marilyn Galbreath got her ashes, bright and early at Faith Lutheran.
"It's very moving the way he preaches to you as he gives you the ashes," Galbreath said.
Cindy Mols of Elizabeth Township and Sabena Alesius of North Huntingdon also stopped by.
"This is a wonderful thing that they do to you know give everybody an opportunity to do it," Mols said.
They were in two of several cars that came pouring through the parking lot off Lincoln Way starting at 6 a.m. to celebrate Ash Wednesday.
"It's very difficult to get back to my parish for the noon service and ashes," Alesius said.
It marked the ninth year of the aptly named 'Ash and Dash' for the church, which partners with other local parishes in the area for the event.
Pastor Michael Ryan said they're trying to make getting ashes more accessible.
"For many people, they're just busy, or they have mobility issues or health issues," Pastor Ryan said.
This time around, the holiday falls on Valentine's Day, and some folks may be looking to get excused from practices of fasting and abstinence from meat or something else.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop David Zubik said, "Ash Wednesday is too important, too sacred to make such a concession." He's encouraging couples to celebrate Valentine's Day at a different time.
Pastor Ryan has another take.
"We tend to want it to make it either or you know you have to either be really sad, or you can celebrate one. You can do both. Just remember to celebrate love," Pastor Ryan said.
When it comes to fasting, what about that fancy dinner?
"Just making sure I don't have meat," Chris Miller of Elizabeth Township said.
"I like seafood, so it's really not an issue for me," Mols said.
Then you can't forget those boxes of chocolates.
"I try to like cut down on my sweets, not eliminate them," Mols said.
"I haven't eaten chocolate during Lent for many, many years," Galbreath said. "I won't eat it."
With the Lenten season upon us, we've got you covered here on KDKA.com with our annual Fish Fry Guide, right here.
