Ash Wednesday - By mandate of the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome, ashes are to be distributed in the following (European) manner: The Priest says the prayer for blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The Priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. The Priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.

Ash Wednesday Celebrations: Wednesday February 17th, 8:00 a.m. Mass at Cherokee; 8:00 a.m. Mass at Holstein; 12:15 p.m. Prayer Service at Cherokee. All include limited seating with the European manner of distribution of ashes.