Did you get your ashes?

Since my children were small we have always let them go into school late in order to attend morning mass on Ash Wednesday. We do this for a couple reasons,one being that they have always been excited about getting to go into school late and that excitement carries over to the point that they are excited about Ash Wednesday. Most Catholics do not look forward to Lent which Ash Wednesday officially starts as it is a season on penance, and who looks forward to that ? Though we do not look forward to this season, it is necessary in that it is a perfect opportunity to examine ones self and make changes accordingly. After all, we all have room for improvement. The second reason that we allow the kids to miss an hour or so of school is that we are very proud of our Catholic faith. More and more you hear of the bad done by some of the members of the Catholic faith . Does the media give any time to the wondrous things that this Awesome faith does ? Of course not but let a few of the flock fail to be perfect and it is Catholic bashing time.Another big thing to me is that one is also constantly hearing stupid things like "Yes, I was Catholic too.... until I found the Lord" Now I will not bash your "Born again Christian" crowd as there are good and bad, like every other crowd but to put a comment like this out there is pure arrogance and stupidity. Do these people actually think that Catholic's don't know the Lord ? This could not be more untrue. I could go on and on but I think you get the point. Anyway, we are proud that we are raising our kids to love the lord,Father , son , and Holy spirit in an environment that is regulated and not just the opinion of whomever is preaching that day. Furthermore, we are very proud to be part of a community that teaches our children that just because society accepts it, doesn't make it right , and give our children a reason not to do drugs,abuse alcohol, engage in premarital activities, or other things that have become societies norm. Not that we are perfect, as we all fall short, but it is just a good place to be. By going to morning mass on Ash Wednesday, our children wear their ashes all day long and are proud to be what they are raised to be, Children of the Catholic faith.