It's Ash Sunday at Antioch church

Before Wednesday, James Freedman couldn't remember a time in the past 50 years when he didn't celebrate the start of Lent with ashes on his forehead.

Heavy snowfall, however, postponed the annual tradition this year for Freedman and hundreds of Catholics across the state.

"I couldn't get out of my garage Wednesday to go to church," said Freedman, of Antioch. "I got here today and found out they were doing ashes and I thought it was wonderful."

St. Raphael the Archangel in Antioch adjusted tradition Sunday, giving out ashes after the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses.

"I can't think of another time this was done in the Catholic Church, but it was sort of a knee-jerk response to an emergency situation," said the Rev. John Jamnicky. "I don't even know if this is allowed, but it seems to make sense, and you have to do what makes sense."

Vicar General John Canary from the Archdiocese of Chicago assisted in distributing the ashes.

St. Raphael the Archangel opened in August along Route 173, just east of Route 45. It draws about 450 to 500 people to its Masses each weekend, parish assistant Dave Retseck said.

"A lot of those people feel like they can't start Lent without ashes," he said.

On Wednesday, about 50 people attended the first two Masses to receive ashes but the second two services were canceled.

"I know a lot of people, especially older people, felt so bad they missed it," Jamnicky said. "A lot of people have started Lent this way their entire life."

Kathy Gernady, who teaches at the church, said even though she was glad services and classes were canceled Wednesday, she was sorry she and her family missed getting ashes.

"I think it's great the church did this today," Gernady said. "I've never missed a year. I guess I didn't miss this year, either. It's just a little late."