Lent begins with the return of Ash Wednesday services
Deacon Toby Mobley prays over ashes before distribution Wednesday in St. Patrick's Church in Canonsburg. Parishioners returned this week to traditional Ash Wednesday services for the first time in two years.
Deacon Tony Mobley leads Wednesday afternoon's ash distribution at St. Patrick's Church in Canonsburg. After two years spent worshipping under COVID-19 restrictions, parishes throughout Washington, Greene and Fayette counties returned to traditional Ash Wednesday services this year.
More than 100 parishioners attended Wednesday's ash distribution service at St. Patrick's Church in Canonsburg. The Ash Wednesday service was a return to normalcy after two years of COVID-restricted worship.
Deacon Tony Mobley blesses a parishioner with ashes during St. Patrick's Ash Wednesday service. More than 100 Catholics attended the service, which marks the beginning of Lent.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Deacon Tony Mobley marks the sign of the cross in ashes on the forehead of a parishioner in St. Patrick’s Church Wednesday. Across the county, churchgoers attended Ash Wednesday services, which mark the beginning of the Lenten season.
StPatsAshWednesday-7.jpg
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Deacon Tony Mobley blesses a parishioner with ashes during the noon Ash Wednesday service in St. Patrick’s Church. More than 100 parishioners gathered in the Canonsburg church to observe the beginning of Lent.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Barbara Sandy, a eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Church in Canonsburg, marks a young child’s forehead with ashes.
For two years, churches have operated under COVID-19 restrictions. This Ash Wednesday marked the first time many congregations gathered for traditional ash distribution services. Ashes sit, ready to mark the foreheads of the faithful, at the front of St. Patrick's Church in Canonsburg.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
The Rev. Thomas Gillespie, far left, and Deacon Tony Mobley, far right, distribute ashes during St. Patrick’s Ash Wednesday service. More than 100 parishioners gathered to pray and receive ashes to mark the beginning of Lent.
This week, churches returned to a sense of normalcy when congregations gathered for traditional Ash Wednesday services. More than 100 parishioners gathered in St. Patrick’s Church in Canonsburg Wednesday afternoon, where Deacon Tony Mobley led the ash distribution service. The Rev. Thomas Gillespie also administered ashes and blessings on attendees. The beginning of Lent was observed with prayer followed by fellowship at the fish fry across the street.