Ash Wednesday begins Lenten season

Digital First Media

POTTSTOWN » Christians throughout the region celebrated the beginning of Lent this week with an Ash Wednesday mass.

Students from St. Aloysius joined other members of the congregation in celebrating Ash Wednesday. The day begins the season of Lent in the liturgical calendar, at which time Christians have six weeks of repentance leading up to Easter. have overheated Scott’s courtroom as a fire alarm went off in the midst of one of the ceremonies. It was just an alarm though, and the wedding and the rest of court business continued without a hitch.

“I hope that you will each be a source of strength for each other. My hope is that your bond will be a strong foundation for the rest of your lives together. I hope your marriage will provide a sanctuary for each of you, protecting you from the challenges of the world and providing the comfort and the support that you need to thrive together,” Ferman addressed each couple that stood before her.

Adam Plumley, 38, and Vanessa Gery, 31, of Harleysville, beamed as Judge Carluccio announced they were husband and wife. The couple had known each other about three years.

“I’m Vanessa Plumley now,” Vanessa, who wore a dark blue gown, smiled afterward.

“We’re starting a new chapter in our lives. Wonderful, excited,” Adam added.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Children from St. Aloysius Parish School line up to receive ashes on their forehead during the Ash Wednesday Mass.

CARL HESSLER JR. — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Newlyweds Vu D. Pham and Vi Nguyen Tuong Tran pose with Montgomery County Judge Garrett D. Page after Page presided over their wedding vows. The couple, of Pottstown, participated in a special Valentine’s Day ceremony held at the county courthouse...

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Father Joseph Maloney places ashes on a churchgoer’s forehead on Wednesday during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Aloysius Parish in Pottstown.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA St. Aloysius Parish in Pottstown was filled Wednesday as Christians gathered to receive ashes during the Ash Wednesday Mass.