Altar server Jude Carrico prepares to carry the crucifix up the aisle of St. Stephen Cathedral for the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
At Ash Wednesday liturgy, bishop urges faithful to commit to being ‘marked with the sign of faith’ in daily life
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The faithful crowded into St. Stephen Cathedral for the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday liturgy on Feb. 14, 2024, which was presided at by Bishop William F. Medley.
In his homily, the bishop said that the crosses of ashes traced on everyone’s foreheads might last a few hours, but that the ashes are not meant to remain forever.
“What we do today is not permanent in a physical way, but we would do well perhaps to reflect upon that passage from the Eucharistic Prayer of those who go before us marked with the sign of faith,” he said. “How, in the continuing 40 days of Lent that lie before us, how in the continuing years of life that lie before us – be that 40 days or 40 weeks or 40 years or more that lie before us – how do we bear the cross that will be visible today?”
The bishop said that the goal should be to live one’s life so that when standing before the judgment seat of God at the end of one’s life, it is clear “we have been marked with the sign of faith.”
Ushers carry baskets for the collection during the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro, which took place Feb. 14, 2024. On this day in the Diocese of Owensboro, collections are held for the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica, which is a sister diocese to Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
After the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral on Feb. 14, Bishop William F. Medley greets a dad and toddler who had attended the liturgy. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
After receiving their ashes, the faithful process back to their pews during the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro, which took place Feb. 14, 2024. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Dcn. Richard Murphy traces a cross of ashes on a man’s forehead during the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro, which took place Feb. 14, 2024. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
