Ash Wednesday Services mark beginning of new season

Photo By Staff Sgt. Miles Elder | Chaplain (Capt.) Rajmund Kopec (right) places ashes on the forehead of one of his congregation members during services Wednesday to mark the beginning of the Lenten Season.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

03.07.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Miles Elder 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (March 1, 2006) - Ash Wednesday services marked the beginning of the Lenten season, which will culminate Easter Sunday.

The day's first of several Ash Wednesday services were held at Destiny Chapel on Forward Operating Base Speicher. More than 50 Soldiers and civilians attended a Roman Catholic Mass in honor of one of Christendom's most holy days. Placing ashes on the foreheads of believers highlighted this day's mass.

"Ashes remind of us of our humble beginnings," said Chaplain (Capt.) Rajmund Kopec, a Catholic priest from Poland who serves with the 96th Aviation Support Battalion from Fort Campbell, Ky. "We are reminded that we will also go back to ashes."

The services featured performances by the chapel's choir, readings from the Bible by congregation members and a sermon by Kopec who presided over the mass. Many audience members said the noontime service was a great inspiration to them as they labor in a combat zone far from their homes.

It was an unforgettable day for 1st Lt. Elizabeth Varner who serves as a medical platoon leader with the 96th ASB.

"It's really inspiring to me," Varner said. "It's a wonderful part of my conversion to Catholicism."

A 2003 graduate of Tennessee Technological University and a native of Cookeville, Tenn., Varner didn't grow up in a church-going family but is currently in the process of converting to Catholicism. She is presently attending Rite of Christian Initiation Classes.

Sgt. Dave Ribar is a longtime Catholic from Rochester, Pa. He serves as a chaplain's assistant with 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

"(Ash Wednesday) is a time of preparation since Easter is only 40 days away," Ribar said. "It's a time to pray more and be obedient so you can be closer to God."

Kopec, known as "Father Ray" to his congregation, said that the 40-day Lenten period is based on the 40 days Christ spent praying and fasting in the desert. The Lenten period ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.

Capt. Kenrick Smith was one of those performing in the choir. The Las Vegas native commands Company D, 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment. He said Ash Wednesday is a special day in his year.

"It starts preparation for Easter," Smith said. "It gets you in the mood for remembrance, and for repentance and reflection on events for the whole year."

Prior to applying the ashes, Kopec challenged believers to live their faith every day. He said putting on the ashes meant much more than "having a dirty forehead."

"The ashes symbolize the changes we should experience with repentance," Kopec said.

"First and foremost, repentance has to happen in our hearts.

"This is an external symbol of what should be going on in our hearts."

• Date Taken: 03.07.2006
• Date Posted: 03.07.2006 11:01
• Story ID: 5633
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ