Pandemic Friendly Ash Wednesday Services in West Michigan The Diocese of Grand Rapids is planning a pandemic friendly Ash Wednesday. In an effort to reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets, churches have been instructed on how to administer ashes. The Vatican issued guidance about Ash Wednesday last month. Ashes will still be received but churches will decide if they will apply the ashes to the congregations forehead or if they will be sprinkled on parishioner's heads. According to the Diocese, sprinkling ashes is commonly used in Rome and other countries each year. Aaron Sanders, director of Office Worship for the Diocese of Grand Rapids told Fox 17,