The faithful receive ashes at Blawnox church on Ash Wednesday
Families throughout Blawnox and nearby communities flocked to St. Edward Church to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Pews were packed at the Catholic church along Walnut Street that evening as the Rev. Bill Siple delivered a message of repentance and how ashes show a person’s identity and commitment to their faith.
He likened the ashes to military medals and how they indicate accomplishment, or what is earned. That they should not be taken for granted and how they tell others “who we are.”
Siple was assisted with the distribution of ashes by Eucharistic minister Kathy Bellinger, reader Valerie Hawkins and cantor/choir member Mary Lou Balkey.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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