"Dust thou art, and to dust thy shall return"

Today is Ash Wednesday, the end of Carnival, and the beginning of Lent. 

• There are four opportunities to receive ashes on Wednesday, February 22: 7:30 am - Imposition of Ashes in the Chapel. 
• 12:00 pm - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes, hymns and organ. 
• 6:00 pm- Liturgia de Miércoles de Ceniza, in the Cathedral. 
• 7:30 pm - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes, with the Cathedral Choir.

Across the country, a number of Episcopal clergy take to the streets on Ash Wednesday to offer ashes to the general public. This is somewhat controversial, with some seeing it as a powerful evangelical outreach, and others seeing it as an empty gesture without a liturgy.     Some discussion is here. What do you think?