Rev. Bill Nesbit keeps his hands warm and his thumb at the ready as St. Charles Episcopal Church does Ashes to Go at the Geneva train station for Ash Wednesday.

Rick West | Staff Photographer

Pastor Emily Mellott, of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard takes a close-up photo of ashes given to commuters at the Lombard train station.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Rev. M.E. Eccles of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights, distributes ashes to Denise Hoppe of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Metra station Wednesday morning.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Rev. M.E. Eccles of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights, distributes ashes to Chris Witt of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Metra station Wednesday morning.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Rev. Patti Snickenberger places ashes on the forehead of Jason Smith of Libertyville as she joined members of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church to offer “Ashes To Go” for train commuters on Ash Wednesday at the Libertyville Metra Station.

Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Pastor Emily Mellott, of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, dispenses Ashes to Go to commuters like Don Feeley, right, at the Lombard train station.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Polly Aschom of Geneva is administered ashes from Rev. Liz Meade, a deacon at St. Charles Episcopal Church, during Ashes to Go at the Geneva train station for Ash Wednesday.

Rick West | Staff Photographer

Rev. Bill Nesbit administers ashes to Robert Gutierez of St. Charles as St. Charles Episcopal Church does Ashes to Go during the morning rush hour at the Geneva train station for Ash Wednesday.

Rick West | Staff Photographer

Rev. M.E. Eccles of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights, distributes ashes to Rhonda Letempt of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Metra station Wednesday morning.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Pastor Emily Mellott, of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, offers Ashes to Go to commuters at the Lombard train station.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Rev. M.E. Eccles of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights, distributes ashes to Fuodor Ishaya of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Metra station Wednesday morning.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Pat Vavrina, of Ingleside, receives ashes from Anders Edstrom, a member of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, as the church offered “Ashes To Go” for train commuters on Ash Wednesday at the Libertyville Metra Station.

Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Maureen Elliot, of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, dispenses Ashes to Go to commuters like Marilyn Stein, left, at the Lombard train station. At right is Ruth Ann Pfohl, who offers a prayer.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Rev. M.E. Eccles of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights distributes ashes to Demian Reyes of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Metra station Wednesday morning.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Pastor Emily Mellott, of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, dispenses Ashes to Go to commuters like Maritza Summers, left, at the Lombard train station.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Tony Schmidt of Wheeling has ashes on his forehead as Rev. Patti Snickenberger and members of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church offer “Ashes To Go” for train commuters on Ash Wednesday at the Libertyville Metra Station.

Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Third-grade St. Margaret Mary student Tara Houghian receives ashes from Deacon Patrick Maher during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Reverend Peter Sarnicki O.F.M. Conv. puts ash on the forehead of St. Margaret Mary Catholic School principal Sue Snyder during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Margaret Mary in Algonquin.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer