Ipswich priests to ash willing shoppers on Ash Wednesday

This Wednesday is the first day of Lent, known as Ash Wednesday. For many Christians, the day is celebrated with prayer, and sometimes fasting.

Traditionally, the palm crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday service are burned to create ash for the following year’s Ash Wednesday. The ashes are used to mark the sign of a cross on the forehead.

“The whole idea of putting ashes on people's heads is supposed to symbolises our mortality, and also a turning point; that we've realised we need to turn back to God and there are things in our lives that we want to put right, and that we're all in the same boat,” explained Father Luke Goymour of St Mark’s Catholic Church in Chantry.

From 2pm to 3pm on Wednesday, Father Luke, the Reverend Tom Mumford of St Mary le Tower and Canon John Thackray of St Mary at the Elms will be on the Cornhill, ready to ‘ash’ willing shoppers and engage in discussion.

While Father Thackray and the Reverend Tom Mumford have taken part in previous years’ ‘ashings’, but for Father Goymour, this will be the first time.

Father Luke Goymour of St Mark's Catholic Church, Chantry. (Image: Father Luke Goymour)The Reverend Tom Mumford of St Mary le Tower. (Image: Charlotte Bond)Canon John Thackray of St Mary at the Elms. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

All three are pleased that the Catholic and Anglican churches are coming together to celebrate.

“It is much more important to focus on what we have in common than what drives us apart,” said Father Thackray.

Father Goymour agreed.

“I think it’s a really important message that at the beginning of Lent, the Christian Church as a whole is seen to be united,” he said.

“It’s something we can all get behind. We’re all Christians, we’re all people, we’re all humans going in the same direction, and there are things that we want to put right.

“The ashes are a symbol of that. I’m delighted to be able to minister alongside my Anglican brothers.”