SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
The Rev. Brian Finerty and Eucharistic Minister John Duane disperse ashes to parishioners on Ash Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Nuana Aspillaga, after receiving her ashes.

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Deacon Gene Willis, left, applies ashes to the forehead of a parishioner during a morning Ash Wednesday Mass at San Pedro Catholic Church in North Port. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of penance and reflection before Easter.