Ash Wednesday-only Catholics?

[BlessedVegan]

Do only Catholics have Ash Wednesday services? I'm calling around and only teh Catholic churches have a mention of Ash Wednesday services on their recordings. If that's teh case, is there anything wrong with goign to it if your not Catholic? I attend a Baptist church regurlarly..I don't label myself a Baptist, but that is the particular church I fell in love with as a new Christian. But I like the idea of Ash Wednesday and want to go to a service, as well as wear the ashes. Is there anything wrong with doing that as a non Catholic? I wouldn't take communion, as I've heard non Catholics aren't supposed to take communiion at a Catholic Church (is that right). Any help would be appreciated

 

[Lutherrunner]

check out an ELCA Lutheran church.....

 

[Ann M]

Please go. There is nothing to stop a non-Catholic from attending a Catholic Church, so you are quite welcome to attend.

Whilst you cannot have Communion, you can still go up in the Communion line to receive a blessing from the priest if you want to. Cross your arms accross your chest hand to shoulder to indicate to the priest you would like a blessing.

Did you realise that the ashes are from the palm fronds that we used last year to celebrate Palm Sunday?

 

[BlessedVegan]

Ann M..actually yes I read that in an email my Mom sent (about the ashes coming from Palm Fronds)..she's Catholic and I asked her to give me some information on Lent (I've only been Christian about 3 months). Is it ok to wear the ashes? And if I do the blessing thing..will that indicate to teh Priest that I'm not taking communion? Or do I have to say somethign?
Lutherrunner..how do I tell if it is ELCA? i have a list of churches but it just says Lutheran, nothing more. THansk!

 

[InnerPhyre]

Come on down to your local Catholic church. Anyone can get ashes, not just Catholics and we'd be happy to have you

 

[Dream]

Yes, you can recieve ashes, as you are also encouraged to do so.

Just remember, as you said, do not recieve the Holy Eucharist. It's not that you are unworthy, it's just that you are not in full Communion with the Catholic Church. Catholics who are in a state of mortal sin are also not in Communion with the Catholic Church, and they should not recieve the Eucharist.

 

[Lutherrunner]

Ann M..actually yes I read that in an email my Mom sent (about the ashes coming from Palm Fronds)..she's Catholic and I asked her to give me some information on Lent (I've only been Christian about 3 months). Is it ok to wear the ashes? And if I do the blessing thing..will that indicate to teh Priest that I'm not taking communion? Or do I have to say somethign?
Lutherrunner..how do I tell if it is ELCA? i have a list of churches but it just says Lutheran, nothing more. THansk!

check this site:

http://www.elca.org/findachurch.html

you can take communion at a ELCA

 

[Ann M]

Crossing your arms indicates to the priest that you are not taking communion.

 

[Letalis]

check this site:

http://www.elca.org/findachurch.html

you can take communion at a ELCA

I really don't think it's appropriate for you to try and promote your church here. I just think it might be a bit disrespectful. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Dream]

Crossing your arms indicates to the priest that you are not taking communion.

Or you could choose to just remain in your seat when the Eucharist is being distributed.

 

[BlessedVegan]

Yeah I probably won't go up at all for the communion..I feel very blessed already. One more question then I'll shut up . Is it a different time that you go to receive ashes than when you go for communion? I won't miss the ashes b/c I don't take communion, will I? Sorry for all the questions but I'm very new to all this! Thanks!

 

[InnerPhyre]

I believe ashes come after communion. It will be very easy to tell the difference though.

 

[Dream]

Yes, ashes are distributed before Christ's body and blood.

 

[InnerPhyre]

Whoops lol. Guess u got conflicting views there. DT is right tho, it's before.

 

[Paul S]

Ashes are before Communion, after the homily.

 

[RedTulipMom]

The Methodist church also distributes ashes on the forehead and they too use the burned palms from last year for their ashes ( i know this because i used to be the secretary and youth director of a methodist church, even though i was never methodist).
karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

Hey does the Orthodox church put ashes on foreheads for Ash wednesday too, anyone know?
karen