This year, the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Church in Altadena joined hands and hearts with parishioners of Westminster Presbyterian Church across the street for an Ash Wednesday service held at Westminster. It's the fifth time the two churches have worked together on creating an ecumenical service which features a combined choir and musicians.

The ecumenical service is, according to pastor Father Edwin Duyshart, "praying with neighbors" and a way to be together with fellow Christians at the beginning of the Lenten season.

Father Duyshart met years ago with Westminster pastors Dr. Rev. Martha and Dr. Rev. Twina Campbell --- a married couple --- and broached the idea of holding an ecumenical service. Since that first year, the Ash Wednesday service has steadily grown into a successful event, one that ushers in the Lenten season with friendship and goodwill.

"We get a good turnout for the event," says parish director Casey Jurecki who added that even though the service was an ecumenical one, it fulfilled traditional Catholic duty for attendance. "The whole idea is that we as Christians are going into Lent preparing for Easter. We hold this in common with our Protestant brothers."

The Ash Wednesday service isn't the only ecumenical event held at the two churches. On Thanksgiving Eve, St. Elizabeth hosts an annual event where parishioners from both churches come together in thanks.