Drive - thru ashes have come to Lafayette.

The last few years have seen Christian denominations offer 'drive - thru' ashes to their congregations. The practice has now come to Lafayette, as First Lutheran Church on W Farrel Road will be offering drive - thru ashes from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday.

I'm probably in the minority here as a Catholic, but I think this is a great idea. I don't think a drive - thru service should replace Ash Wednesday Mass, but I do think it would be a great way to reach out to Catholics who are uncomfortable going to church for whatever reasons they may have. Giving ashes in this way would be a way of meeting people where they are.

Also, Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, and the ashes are not considered a sacrament, but instead, sacramentals. If it would mean more people would receive the ashes and a blessing at the beginning of Lent, I'm all for it. I am not at all for offering sacraments like marriage in a drive - thru. You can go to Las Vegas for that.

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