People gathered at the church for the Ash Wednesday Mass. That's where the ashes of last year's Palm Sunday leaves are worn by people as a sign of repentance going into the Lenten season before Easter. While the ash distribution didn't look exactly the same as years past, the mass was still a little bit of a return to form for the church.

Christians around the world head to church to start the Lenten season with a time of faith and remembrance. Ash Wednesday kicks off the 40 days of Lent and churchgoers at Saint Gerard's were marked with the sign of the cross to symbolize the time to ask for repentance. Christians around the world typically fast or give up food or certain activities, commemorating the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert. But Father John McLoughlin hopes that the younger generation sees that time differently, by making a sacrifice of giving back to others.

The season of Lent is more than just giving up your favorite things, it's about giving back to help your fellow man. Today is Ash Wednesday, which kicks of the 40 days of Lent, and Christians around the world were reminded through the sign of the cross in ashes on their forehead that they are dust and they will return to dust and now is the time to ask for repentance.

The Wapakoneta Ministerial Association is kicking off Ash Wednesday with its annual Lent series. It was a packed house for the prayer service at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Wednesday's message was about the Agony in the Garden, which is when Jesus prays and sweats blood as he agonizes over dying on the cross the next day. 

Many are still sluggish from over indulging in Fat Tuesday treats, but some Delphos community members were ready to run it off, along with their ashes.