Ash Wednesday Marks Last Day Of Masses For Parish In NJ Mall
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In Paramus, the Chapel of St. Therese has provided sanctuary at the intersection of retail and religion for nearly 50 years.
Located inside of a busy shopping mall, it serves as a quiet place for prayer and contemplation amid the hustle and bustle of daily life.
But on Ash Wednesday, the chapel will mark the end of their regular masses above the Marshall's store at the Outlets at Bergen Town Center, as they prepare to close the chapel and find a new home, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
The chapel of St. Therese attracts a thousand parishioners a week and holds three masses daily, with the exception of Sunday, ironically, as Bergen County's blue laws requires the mall be kept closed.
Despite losing their lease, the congregation has faith it will survive.
The Christian holiday marks the beginning of the Lent season, a 40-day period dedicated to reflection, prayer and fasting ahead of Easter.
Catholics and other Christians all over the world have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
The ash is made from burning the palms on the previous Palm Sunday, which is celebrated the Sunday before Easter.