JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Staff at Munholland United Methodist Church say they've seen nearly 1500 cars in the past with people looking to get ashes.
They expect to serve even more people this year when the tradition begins around 7 a.m. on Ash Wednesday.
The church started offering drive-thru ashes back in 2014. All drivers have to do is pull up and roll down their car windows to participate.
The church has tried to manage the number of drivers showing up by having them line up at different places around its Metairie Road property.
When it noticed backup started to reach the railroad tracks, the church worked with Jefferson Parish leaders to come up with a safer plan.
This year, they hope asking drivers to line-up along nearby Hesiod Street will keep things running smoothly.
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Religious leaders describe Ash Wednesday as a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins. The ashes represent a person's grief and mourning for their sins.
Ash Wednesday is the start of the Lenten Season, which represents the 40 days Christians believe Jesus Christ withdrew into the desert. It's marked by fasting and typically giving up a bad habit. The season ends ahead of Easter, which lands on April 12 this year.
In South Louisiana, locals ring in Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent with weeks of Carnival celebrations and Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday" beforehand.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond says Lent is a good time to start a conversation with God.
Click here to see his message for the Lenten Season.
Munholland's offers drive-thru ashes until 1 p.m. See other locations below:
Munholland United Methodist Church
Metairie Road, Metairie
7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
2825 Paris Rd.
Chalmette
Christ Episcopal Church
1534 7th Street
Slidell
7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
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