Amelia Kunhardt/The Patriot Ledger.
Charlie Donnelly of Hanover receives ashes from Maryluo Maddalena on Ash Wedesday, Feb. 22, 2012, at St. Albert The Great Catholic church in Weymouth. Parishioners opened the church at midnight to give ashes to other church members.
By Lane Lambert
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:34 AM
Last update Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:47 AM
From the early morning hours today through the evening, Roman Catholics throughout the Boston archdiocese will begin their observance of Lent by receiving Ash Wednesday ashes on their foreheads – the age-old symbol of mortality and repentance.
Some Protestants will, too.
While not required by their denominations, the 40-day season of reflection before Easter has become increasingly popular in the United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations.
The Episcopal Church has long observed Ash Wednesday and Lent, much like its predecessor, the Church of England.
Mainline Protestant churches that once shunned Catholic practices now also encourage members to devote extra time during Lent to prayer, study, volunteer service and giving to the poor. They place less emphasis on the traditional Catholic discipline of giving up something for the season.
The Massachusetts United Church of Christ is encouraging individual believers and congregations to join a 40-day “carbon fast,” through such actions as taking quicker showers, buying locally grown food and driving slower, to burn less gas.
In years past, some Protestant churches have collected Lenten donations for Heifer International, which supplies farm animals for families in poor countries. Catholic parishes make "rice bowl" collections for similar overseas missions. On the South Shore, the Harbor United Methodist Church in Scituate will hold an evening Ash Wednesday service, as will Bethany Congregational in Quincy, East Weymouth Congregational and Old South Union Congregational in Weymouth, and First Presbyterian in Quincy.
At least two South Shore Episcopal churches will offer multiple services to receive ashes – St. Stephen’s in Cohasset and St. Chrysostom’s in Quincy.
While numerous local Catholic parishes are holding multiple Masses, St. Albert the Great in Weymouth will again offer the most ambitious Ash Wednesday worship. Like last year, St. Albert will be open until past midnight Thursday.
St. Albert held last year’s 24-hour observance as part of the Boston archdiocese’s “Catholics Come Home” campaign. Pastoral associate Betsy Clifford said, “We didn’t want it to be a one-time event,” after last year’s vigil drew parishioners who typically didn’t show up on Ash Wednesday – from hospital nurses in scrubs on their way home from a night shift to parents with young children they couldn’t bring to a typical evening service.
“We found that it was a good way to be as open and welcoming as we can,” Clifford said.
Lane Lambert may be reached at llambert@ledger.com.
Source: http://www.patriotledger.com/lifestyle/faith/x306964620/On-Ash-Wednesday-Catholics-have-Protestant-company#ixzz1n7pQGcYx
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By Lane Lambert
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:34 AM
Last update Feb 22, 2012 @ 07:47 AM
From the early morning hours today through the evening, Roman Catholics throughout the Boston archdiocese will begin their observance of Lent by receiving Ash Wednesday ashes on their foreheads – the age-old symbol of mortality and repentance.
Some Protestants will, too.
While not required by their denominations, the 40-day season of reflection before Easter has become increasingly popular in the United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations.
The Episcopal Church has long observed Ash Wednesday and Lent, much like its predecessor, the Church of England.
Mainline Protestant churches that once shunned Catholic practices now also encourage members to devote extra time during Lent to prayer, study, volunteer service and giving to the poor. They place less emphasis on the traditional Catholic discipline of giving up something for the season.
The Massachusetts United Church of Christ is encouraging individual believers and congregations to join a 40-day “carbon fast,” through such actions as taking quicker showers, buying locally grown food and driving slower, to burn less gas.
In years past, some Protestant churches have collected Lenten donations for Heifer International, which supplies farm animals for families in poor countries. Catholic parishes make "rice bowl" collections for similar overseas missions. On the South Shore, the Harbor United Methodist Church in Scituate will hold an evening Ash Wednesday service, as will Bethany Congregational in Quincy, East Weymouth Congregational and Old South Union Congregational in Weymouth, and First Presbyterian in Quincy.
At least two South Shore Episcopal churches will offer multiple services to receive ashes – St. Stephen’s in Cohasset and St. Chrysostom’s in Quincy.
While numerous local Catholic parishes are holding multiple Masses, St. Albert the Great in Weymouth will again offer the most ambitious Ash Wednesday worship. Like last year, St. Albert will be open until past midnight Thursday.
St. Albert held last year’s 24-hour observance as part of the Boston archdiocese’s “Catholics Come Home” campaign. Pastoral associate Betsy Clifford said, “We didn’t want it to be a one-time event,” after last year’s vigil drew parishioners who typically didn’t show up on Ash Wednesday – from hospital nurses in scrubs on their way home from a night shift to parents with young children they couldn’t bring to a typical evening service.
“We found that it was a good way to be as open and welcoming as we can,” Clifford said.
Lane Lambert may be reached at llambert@ledger.com.
Source: http://www.patriotledger.com/lifestyle/faith/x306964620/On-Ash-Wednesday-Catholics-have-Protestant-company#ixzz1n7pQGcYx
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