Point Park University offers students no-contact ashes during pandemic Ash Wednesday

Samuel Paratore emailed his professor to say he would be late for class.

He had an important stop to make.

The Point Park University freshman from Johnstown wanted to make sure he received ashes for Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of Lent.

“I was raised Catholic and I wasn’t sure with my class schedule that I could make it to the church I go to, St. Mary’s,” said Paratore, a sports, arts and entertainment major. “I am glad there was a place on campus to get ashes.”

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review

Point Park University freshman Samuel Paratore marks his forehead outside the school’s Point Cafe on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. The Rev. Jennifer McCurry, community coordinator of spiritual life at the school, was distributing ashes to students who wanted them. Due to covid-19, the students were given small containers of the ashes to put on themselves.

For the past few years, Pastor Jennifer McCurry, community coordinator of spiritual life for the university, has set up an area to distribute ashes.

This year she was located near Point Café in Lawrence Hall.

Instead of the traditional way of marking a cross on a person’s forehead, ashes were individually packaged in small clear cups with lids. There was a pandemic to contend with.

McCurry mixed the ash from burnt palms with olive oil and blessed them.

When a student approached she read a statement which began with “Almighty God created you, sustains you, and blessed you with faith …” said a prayer , “Gracious God, you pardon and forgive all those who repent and believe your holy Gospel…” and the traditional words “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” as the student gave him or herself ashes.

McCurry said she usually gets at least 25 students a year for ashes. She didn’t know how many to expect Wednesday.

She made 40 containers and had also brought extra ashes and cue tips in case someone would not be able to physically give themselves ashes.

The university sends out a weekly email about events called Social Scoop.

That’s where Ava Cook, an education major from the North Side saw the ashes were going to be available. She belongs to Christ Our Savior Parish.

“This means a lot to me,” Cook said. “I am glad she was here. When I read about it I made sure I was going to stop by.”

McCurry was there for 90 minutes to serve students and staff. McCurry works with students of all faiths and collaborates with the community engagement department at Point Park for events and service projects. She is an associate pastor at First Lutheran Church, Downtown.

For those who missed her she left ashes in the containers in bags with the statement, prayer and traditional verse.

“The ritual is important,” McCurry said. “People are used to receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. This is not exactly the same as they are used to but it still helps us connect and in a safe way.”