We live in a fast-paced world where you can get drive-through service for your prescriptions, your dry cleaning, your food — even a car wash.
An Irish church is greeting on-the-go parishioners as part of a unique Ash Wednesday drive-thru service.
St Patrick’s Church, in Glenamaddy, County Galway, is offering people the chance to get the traditional blessing from the comfort of their cars.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a season of reflection and preparation before Easter.
Catholics traditionally attend a Mass at which their foreheads are marked with ash in the shape of a cross.
The Galway church’s modern approach is designed to appeal to those who do not have time to attend a Mass service.
St Patrick’s conveniently has a lane that leads right up to its front door.
It is offering locals the opportunity to drive up to the door, receive their ashes and drive off on their way to work, school or the shops.
The move, which was first reported last week, was agreed by the church’s pastoral council and parish priest Fr Paddy Mooney.
“We looked at the situation on the ground. People and families are on the move all the time,” he told the Irish Catholic.
“It’s about meeting people where they are.”
The church will also set up a Lenten petition box in its grounds that will allow people to submit prayer requests during Lent without having to leave their car.
“We’re just putting it in front of people to help them think of Lent, as a reminder of it,” said the priest.
By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.
The period of reflection is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.
(source: BBC)