Old palms were burned at St. Joseph Church, Sentul on Sunday, March 2nd, in preparation for Ash Wednesday on March 5th, which would mark the beginning of the Lenten season for Catholics.
Old palms which were collected for the past 2 weeks were burned today at 6.45 pm at St. Joseph Church, Sentul . The palms were first checked (each and every palms) to ensure that there are no stapler bullets, rubber bands, papers or cellophane tapes attached to the palms.
After thorough inspection, we said a small prayer and followed by burning of the old palms. The burning process took about 35 minutes. Completed at sharp 7.20 pm.
Then we used long thick wood to smash the hot burned ashes to tiny particles. Kept the burned ashes at a secured place in the church for minimum 24 hours to 48 hours for it to completely cool down.
On Tuesday (4th March 2025) at 7.30 pm, we will then take them to sieve off, separating the hard particles away and keep the perfect tiny smooth ashes in container to be used for Ash Wednesday mass on 5th March 2025 which will be celebrated at 6.30 am (in English) and at 8.00 pm (in Bilingual – Tamil and English).
Special thanks to Liturgy Chairman, Uncle John Bosco Morais , Parish Youth Advisor Mr. Jesu Edward Peter and Sacristan Mr. Joseph Thapiang for helping us with the preparation of the Ashes. Two seminarians who are currently under Pastoral assignments, Brother Jason Wang (St Joseph Church) and Brother Jescie (Holy Rosary Church) also helped us.
Together let us repent and believe in the Gospel and hope that we always remember that “from dust we came and to dust shall we return“.
By Nelson Dass.
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