Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting within the Church for those between the ages of 18 and 59. They may eat only one full meal and two other meals consisting of substantially less food. There should be no food taken between meals. Anyone whose health is threatened by fasting is exempted. Catholics age 14 and older also abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent.
Besides distributing Communion, Communion Ministers will also distribute ashes at the Ash Wednesday Masses. Look for instructions in the sacristy before Mass.