8 Ways to Share Your Catholic Faith on Ash Wednesday

[Michie]

Ash Wednesday will soon be here and it is a good day to share your Catholic faith with others. In fact, Ash Wednesday Masses generally have more people attend that even Christmas and Easter - which shows a high level of engagement. Below are some suggestions on how to evangelize on Ash Wed.

8 Ways to Share Your Catholic Faith on Ash Wednesday

1. When asked, explain why you have ashes on your forehead. It is nearly inevitable that if you get your ashes early enough in the day (and if you don’t wipe them off), you will run into someone who tells you that there is something (e.g., “dirt”, “smudge”, “stuff”, etc.) on your forehead. Remember, they are being polite in telling you this. So, return the favor by explaining what the ashes are for (a Biblical sign of repentance) and share your faith by explaining Lent and Ash Wednesday to them. As long as we don’t flaunt our faith for a show, it isn’t against the biblical directive of doing acts of faith for others to see.
2. Invite someone to Mass with you. While I don't think inviting non-disciples to Mass is a great idea in most situations (see here for why) - on Ash Wed, anyone is welcome to receive ashes in a Catholic Church. They need not even be Christian to receive them. This isn’t the case for Communion though, so it is a good time to explain our liturgy, belief in the Eucharist, basis for Sacraments, etc. to them. If you don’t know a good way to explain why a non-Catholic cannot receive the Eucharist, then this explanation should help.
3. Discuss lent online. Most of us are connected to others through social media. With these connections come the availability and opportunity to help them come closer to Christ and His Church. So, start a discussion about what lent is for, what it means, or ask what others are doing for lent. Keep it positive and encourage all to participate. You might post a link from an online blog (like this one!) or a video.

Continued below.

https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/8-ways-to-share-your-catholic-faith-on-ash-wednesday

 

[FaithT]

Ash Wednesday will soon be here and it is a good day to share your Catholic faith with others. In fact, Ash Wednesday Masses generally have more people attend that even Christmas and Easter - which shows a high level of engagement. Below are some suggestions on how to evangelize on Ash Wed.

8 Ways to Share Your Catholic Faith on Ash Wednesday

1. When asked, explain why you have ashes on your forehead. It is nearly inevitable that if you get your ashes early enough in the day (and if you don’t wipe them off), you will run into someone who tells you that there is something (e.g., “dirt”, “smudge”, “stuff”, etc.) on your forehead. Remember, they are being polite in telling you this. So, return the favor by explaining what the ashes are for (a Biblical sign of repentance) and share your faith by explaining Lent and Ash Wednesday to them. As long as we don’t flaunt our faith for a show, it isn’t against the biblical directive of doing acts of faith for others to see.
2. Invite someone to Mass with you. While I don't think inviting non-disciples to Mass is a great idea in most situations (see here for why) - on Ash Wed, anyone is welcome to receive ashes in a Catholic Church. They need not even be Christian to receive them. This isn’t the case for Communion though, so it is a good time to explain our liturgy, belief in the Eucharist, basis for Sacraments, etc. to them. If you don’t know a good way to explain why a non-Catholic cannot receive the Eucharist, then this explanation should help.
3. Discuss lent online. Most of us are connected to others through social media. With these connections come the availability and opportunity to help them come closer to Christ and His Church. So, start a discussion about what lent is for, what it means, or ask what others are doing for lent. Keep it positive and encourage all to participate. You might post a link from an online blog (like this one!) or a video.

Continued below.

https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/8-ways-to-share-your-catholic-faith-on-ash-wednesday

On the local news channel that we watch, when the weather forecast graphics come on they will put a picture of something above the temperatures related to whatever holiday is coming up. I was happy to see a cross of ashes that said Ash Wednesday, for next week.

 

[FaithT]

Ash Wednesday will soon be here and it is a good day to share your Catholic faith with others. In fact, Ash Wednesday Masses generally have more people attend that even Christmas and Easter - which shows a high level of engagement. Below are some suggestions on how to evangelize on Ash Wed.

8 Ways to Share Your Catholic Faith on Ash Wednesday

1. When asked, explain why you have ashes on your forehead. It is nearly inevitable that if you get your ashes early enough in the day (and if you don’t wipe them off), you will run into someone who tells you that there is something (e.g., “dirt”, “smudge”, “stuff”, etc.) on your forehead. Remember, they are being polite in telling you this. So, return the favor by explaining what the ashes are for (a Biblical sign of repentance) and share your faith by explaining Lent and Ash Wednesday to them. As long as we don’t flaunt our faith for a show, it isn’t against the biblical directive of doing acts of faith for others to see.
2. Invite someone to Mass with you. While I don't think inviting non-disciples to Mass is a great idea in most situations (see here for why) - on Ash Wed, anyone is welcome to receive ashes in a Catholic Church. They need not even be Christian to receive them. This isn’t the case for Communion though, so it is a good time to explain our liturgy, belief in the Eucharist, basis for Sacraments, etc. to them. If you don’t know a good way to explain why a non-Catholic cannot receive the Eucharist, then this explanation should help.
3. Discuss lent online. Most of us are connected to others through social media. With these connections come the availability and opportunity to help them come closer to Christ and His Church. So, start a discussion about what lent is for, what it means, or ask what others are doing for lent. Keep it positive and encourage all to participate. You might post a link from an online blog (like this one!) or a video.

Continued below.

https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/8-ways-to-share-your-catholic-faith-on-ash-wednesday

My suburb is a very Catholic area so at least around here I doubt anybody would be questioning ashes.