Several Baltimore area churches offering ashes on the street for people who couldn't get to mass

BALTIMORE - Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians.

Masses were held throughout the day at churches in the Baltimore area, but for people who weren't able to get to a mass, several area churches took their ashes to the streets.

Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church was just one of the churches that joined in to offer ashes to go.

The church believes the practice makes sense, because ashes, a reminder of need and humility, shouldn't be confined to a church building.

Linda Hollis is a Deacon in the Episcopal Church and says, "well, we've has one person stop that was getting off a 12-hour shift.  He was very tired, and he says oh, he wanted his ashes, but he's exhausted so he stopped by."

Pamphlets were also handed out, reading "God meets us not just in worship, but in the midst of life."