Midland Memorial Hospital (MMH) will conduct the imposition of ashes for employees and community members throughout Ash Wednesday, March 5, as mentioned in a Facebook post.
According to the post, the hospital will hold a prayer service at the chapel on its main campus at noon. Staff chaplain Duane Bemis will preside over the service.
The ashes will subsequently be imposed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. by a group of chaplains, followed by another session from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., led by Deacon Joe Cumbest, according to MMH.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penance leading up to Easter in Western Christianity. The ashes, placed in the shape of a cross on the forehead, symbolize repentance.
MMH extends the invitation to Christians of all faith backgrounds, as said in the post.