An annual tradition as ‘Ashes to Go’ rolls into Hopkinton

Patty MacDonald of Bow receives ashes from St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

St. Andrew’s Rector Reed Loy walked from the parish house in the light rain, carrying a small tin of ashes for Ashes to Go along Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday, Mark 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

St. Andrew’s Rector Reed Loy even did drive up for ‘Ashes to Go’ along Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday, Mark 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Patty MacDonald of Bow receives ashes from St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday.

Joyce Bennett shows the ashes on her forehead from St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy on the sidewalk in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton for Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Joyce Bennett receives ashes on her forehead from St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy on the sidewalk in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton for Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Joyce Bennett gets a hug from St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy on the sidewalk in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton for Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Joyce Bennett talks with St. Andrew’s Church Rector Reed Loy in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton after receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The tin container holding the ashes for ‘Ashes to Go.’ GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

St. Andrewâs Rector Reed Loy even did drive up for ‘Ashes to Go’ along Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday, Mark 5, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Story and Photos by GEOFF FORESTER

Monitor staff

Published: 03-05-2025 6:05 PM

Modified: 03-05-2025 6:47 PM

St. Andrew’s Rector Reed Loy walked from the parish house in the light rain, carrying a small tin of ashes. He stood beside a sign on Main Street in Hopkinton, waiting.

It didn’t take long for someone to arrive.

Joyce Bennett drove up, parked near Town Hall, and greeted the pastor on the sidewalk. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Bennett bowed her head while Loy offered a prayer. Using his thumb, he made a cross with the ashes on the sidewalk. This observance marked Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar, with a program that local churches have begun to use as a day outreach called “Ashes to Go.”

“We still keep the evening service. We’ve got the full liturgy for Ash Wednesday, but also a recognition that that’s not accessible to everybody, and knowing the meaning that it has for a lot of folks who lean in, particularly in Lent,” said Loy, who has been pastor at the Episcopal Church since 2017.

Some come from out of town, passing through. Patty MacDonald and her husband traveled from Bow on Wednesday.

For Loy and the Christian community, the season of Lent brings 40 days of reflection and sacrifice.

“It’s part of keeping the rhythm of life with God,” said Loy.

The Lenten season ends on Easter Sunday, April 20.

Article continues after...