Deacon Joseph C. Wilhelm Jr. gives ashes to Greg Mriss of Lehighton on Wednesday morning at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Lehighton. Area churches observed Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is the six weeks of penance before Easter. This year, in accordance with Vatican and diocesan guidelines because of COVID-19, ashes were sprinkled on the head and not cruciform on the forehead. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS