Minneapolis churches cancel Ash Wednesday

The heavy snowstorm in Minneapolis and nearby areas led churches to cancel Ash Wednesday services. Image: Chris Peeters|Pexels

Minnesota's most significant snowfall was predicted for late Wednesday into early Thursday this week.

When the Twin Cities and the Rochester region experienced two to six inches of snow during the storm's initial phase, some Minneapolis churches had to forego church services on Ash Wednesday due to bad weather.

The churches' decision to postpone Ash Wednesday services came in light of the NOAA Weather Prediction Center categorizing it as "extreme," according to the Star Tribune report.

Twin Cities Catholic Churches Cancel Ash Wednesday Services

As the storm approached, Catholic churches in the Twin Cities were getting ready for Ash Wednesday. But due to the winter storm, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had allowed parishes to distribute holy ashes at masses this week from Thursday through Sunday.

Fr. John Berger of The Basilica of Saint Mary explained that receiving ashes is optional. Berger stressed the significance of everyone staying safe amid the dangerous weather at the start of the annual Lenten season.

Consequently, local churches are coming up with innovative ways to serve their people.

Minneapolis parishioners who cannot attend services because of the snow will receive ashes from Fr. Marcus Milless and his colleagues at St. Helena Catholic Church. By the season, Milless remarked, they would adjust to the situation, according to a kstp.com post.

Some churches, including Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, confirmed that they held services. Some churches postponed helping parishioners by hosting their DIY Ash Wednesday celebrations.

The Minneapolis Park Avenue United Methodist Church has postponed its Ash Wednesday service. It decided to publish "do at home" activities on Facebook.

The Impact of Snowstorm on Different Areas

The heavy Wednesday snowstorm forced authorities at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to order the cancellation of 546 flights.

According to Marielle Mohs, the airport was "like a ghost town." Mohs reportedly went to the airport on Wednesday night when she made the observation.

Since the weather had been severe, people were anxious about the unsheltered people in the area. Veterans make up a large part of the street homeless, and efforts were made to rescue them from the storm. Since word of the storm's impending arrival circulated quickly, those without shelter had a chance to request help.

The river city of Hastings was pounded by a wave of snow that quickly intensified. To close early, downtown business owners decided to close early. Some, however, waited out the storm, hoping surrounding neighbors would emerge and walk for a snack or beverage.

People in St. Paul began digging a snowbank early Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming storm. The heavy snow reminded them of the 1991 Halloween Blizzard.

Minneapolis established free parking spots to get vehicles off the roads, giving the plows time to work before the storm. While customers stocked up before driving became too risky, grocery stores on Wednesday afternoon saw steady activity.

According to North Memorial Health, several facilities and services will be closed on Thursday. All urgent care and emergency centers, as well as routine and specialized care clinics, are included.

The trauma and CV surgery follow-up clinics at North Memorial Health Hospital will also close. North Memorial Health posted more updates in response to the heavy storm on its website.