ASH WEDNESDAY

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
A box collects palm leaves for future Ash Wednesday services at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City. The day marks the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection, fasting and penance leading up to Easter, this year on Sunday, April 21, the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. "The ashes are a reminder that life on Earth is temporary," said St. Francis Pastor Rev. Don Geyman. "And also a sign of repentance." The ashes come from palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday, which are burned and blessed before being placed on the worshiper's forehead in the shape of a cross with the words "ÒRemember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.Ó

tcrSPECash20190306js02FEATUREFAITHCHURCHRELIGION