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Galway church plans Ash Wednesday drive-thru Galway church plans Ash Wednesday drive-thru
(35 minutes later)
Forget burgers and chips. An Irish church is planning to set up a new drive-thru and there's only one thing on the menu - ashes.Forget burgers and chips. An Irish church is planning to set up a new drive-thru and there's only one thing on the menu - ashes.
Churchgoers will be able to receive the traditional Ash Wednesday blessing from the comfort of their cars thanks to plans in Glenamaddy, County Galway.Churchgoers will be able to receive the traditional Ash Wednesday blessing from the comfort of their cars thanks to plans in Glenamaddy, County Galway.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and falls on 1 March.Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and falls on 1 March.
Catholics traditionally go to church and have their foreheads marked with ash in the shape of a cross.Catholics traditionally go to church and have their foreheads marked with ash in the shape of a cross.
However, in a move that brings to mind Las Vegas' famous Little White Chapel and its drive-thru weddings, St Patrick's Church in Glenamaddy is planning a modern approach for those who do not have time to attend Mass.However, in a move that brings to mind Las Vegas' famous Little White Chapel and its drive-thru weddings, St Patrick's Church in Glenamaddy is planning a modern approach for those who do not have time to attend Mass.
Thinking outside the box
As reported in the Irish Catholic, the church will allow parishioners to drive up to its front door, receive the traditional blessing and drive off again on their way to work, school or the shops.As reported in the Irish Catholic, the church will allow parishioners to drive up to its front door, receive the traditional blessing and drive off again on their way to work, school or the shops.
The church conveniently has a lane that leads right up to the door.The church conveniently has a lane that leads right up to the door.
Fr Paddy Mooney, who agreed the strategy with the church's pastoral council, said the move was about facilitating people and thinking outside the box.Fr Paddy Mooney, who agreed the strategy with the church's pastoral council, said the move was about facilitating people and thinking outside the box.
"We looked at the situation on the ground. People and families are on the move all the time," he told the Irish Catholic."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.""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.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."We're just putting it in front of people to help them think of Lent, as a reminder of it," said the priest.