The Rev. Malcolm O’Leary spreads ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead of Kathy Gibson this morning at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street. Distribution of the ashes begins the Lenten season, which is the pred-ecessor to Easter, which comes this year on April 12. Ashes will be distributed at St. Mary’s again tonight, at 7, and at St. Paul and St. Michael Catholic churches at 5:30. (Meredith Spencer*The Vicksburg Post)