T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA

Eucharistic Minister Paula Pollock marks the foreheads of Ana Vazquez and J.P. Paredes with ashes on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Clairsville. Christians around the world observe a period of fasting and devotions during Lent in preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. The ashes are prepared from palm leaves burned during the previous year’s Palm Sunday.