Ash Wednesday, Beginning of Lent

Today marks the beginning of Lent. More information about Lent can be found here.

I received the ashes at Mass this morning. I take pleasure in being at a weekday

morning Mass because the school children attend.  Seeing the younger ones' exuberance

lifts my spirits.  When the time came for our pastor to bless the ashes, he explained

that receiving the ashes is a sacramental, not a sacrament so everyone could receive them.  
To get a clearer understanding of the difference between a sacramental and sacrament, go here and here 

I saw a second grader punch her hand in the air because she realized that she could participate.  We adults should work on this enthusiasm for our faith.  

At previous weekend Masses, Father addressed the importance of choosing faults we need to work on during Lent.  They are called the three Pillars which include these:
Prayers
Fasting
Almsgiving

If one wishes to grow closer to Christ, each person chooses something in each of these areas to try to accomplish a closer relation to Jesus.