DECATUR - Roman Catholics and other Christians packed their churches Wednesday to observe the beginning of Lent, 40 days before Easter.

Ash Wednesday starts a time of fasting, reflecting and contemplating one's transgressions.

Adults and schoolchildren assembled inside the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for an early morning Mass.

A large wooden cross with nails sticking out lay at the foot of the pulpit.

"We gather here, brothers and sisters, during a time of reflection and repentance of our sins. We turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness," the Rev. Rick Weltin said.

Francie Brown, a music teacher, sang in a high soprano voice that rang through the building: "Praise Unto You … Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ."

Weltin then briefly talked about why Ash Wednesday is important. He said placing ashes on the forehead in the sign of the cross helps remind people to turn away from their sins and be faithful to the Gospel.

Afterward, he held a large, gold goblet filled with ashes in the air and blessed them. Parishioners and children lined up to receive them as a sign of the cross traced on their foreheads.

Joey Schollmeier, 9, with a smudge of black ashes on his forehead, said, "We learn how Christ died for us, and the ashes help us get rid of our sins."

Simon Brinkoetter, 9, said, "The ashes save you from your sins."

St. Patrick Catholic Church made it easy for people to observe Ash Wednesday by having a noon service.

The Rev. Jeff Grant of St. Patrick reminded those in the congregation that Lent is a time to "spiritually cleanse ourselves" and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Stopping at the church during his lunch break, Matthew Bennett took part in the Ash Wednesday observance. He attends Our Lady of Lourdes.

"It's a time of sacrament and reflection," Bennett said regarding the beginning of his Lenten journey. "I will take this time to focus on enhancing my prayer life, as well as take the opportunity to do more service at my church and in the community."

Sarah Reynolds also attended the ceremony at St. Patrick, along with her baby daughter, Mazie.

"I plan on giving up soda and all fried foods for Lent, except fish on Fridays," Reynolds said.

"We do something to make a sacrifice because the Lord sacrificed for us," she said.

Deacon Jim Ghiglione, an ordained minister who runs the parish of Our Lady of Holy Spirit in Mount Zion, said he expected a couple of hundred people to show up for the Ash Wednesday evening service.

"I try to encourage the faithful that it's not about giving something up, but giving something to God. Lent is a time to bring us into a closer relationship with God," Ghiglione said.

He also said he plans to spend more time praying and doing some spiritual activity, such as scripture reading, for Lent over the next 40 days.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.