Preparation and Blessing of the Ashes for Ash Wednesday

It was an exciting day for the parish. We began preparations for Ash Wednesday by burning palms to make ashes just before Mass. Everyone brought palms they had saved from last Palm Sunday. There were a lot of palms! Just before Mass we went outside to the parking lot where Michael started the fire and Bp. Tim blessed the ashes. We're ready for Ashes to Go (first time this year!) and for Ash Wednesday.