Ash Wednesday Service at Cook Chapel

              Ash Wednesday at Cook Chapel

by Kate Molander

            Cook Chapel, the on-campus church for students, faculty, and members of the community, held a service for Ash Wednesday on February 25^th at 6:30 pm. As you entered into the very small chapel, you walked from the noise of the outside world into the quiet and gentle sounds of music playing. Music for thought; everyone was asked to remain silent to allow everyone a chance to think and reflect.

            The service was led by Chaplain Cindy Zirlott and Pastor Jennifer Webber. Chaplain Cindy welcomed everyone, familiar and unfamiliar faces, to the Ash Wednesday Mass. The mass included readings from the bible, songs from a small student band, a student written poem, and a sermon explaining the meanings behind the Lent season. George Buchanan, a sophomore at Frostburg State University candidly mentioned that “Chaplain Cindy did a great service.”

            The service was intended for multiple Christian denominations and had a mixture of traditional and modern qualities. The words of the music were projected onto the wall from a slideshow for the congregation to see. The readings, offertory, and prayers of the service, however, were mostly traditional. This left some of the students attending the service with mixed thoughts. Gabe Ruiz, a sophomore at Frostburg State University, felt that “they should separate the Catholic and Protestant services.” Whereas, Eric Hoffmaster, a junior at Frostburg State University, said “It was a nice service. I like when different denominations can get together like that.”

            A common act among Christian denominations during an Ash Wednesday service, the signing of the ashes on the forehead, was performed after the readings of the service. The Chaplain asked people of the congregation to line up pew by pew, to receive their ashes. The presenter of the ashes stood next to a table covered with crosses: wooden crosses, metal crosses, organic-looking crosses, and ceramic crosses. After the presentation of the ashes, the people of the congregation returned to their seats and were given time to reflect with only the sound of gentle music filling the chapel.

            At the end of the service the congregation was asked to write down what they were giving up for the Lent season and place it in the offertory. This was meant as symbolically offering your sacrifice of Lent. A big metal bowl was passed to each person for them to give their Lent offering and to offer money to the church if they chose to do so. The service was dismissed and the congregation was given a chance to talk with the Chaplain and Pastor or quietly exit the chapel.

            Cook Chapel, which is run by the Frostburg State University Catholic Campus Ministry, stays open every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm for those who want to simply stop by and pray. The chapel is located under Frost Hall. For more information on the Catholic Campus Ministry and their programs and services, visit http://organizations.frostburg.edu/ccm/index.htm.