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Mission
We Make Disciples
Founded in 1931 in a cabin in Medford Lakes, New Jersey to serve the 40 Catholic families living in the area, St. Mary of the Lakes was formally established as a parish in 1943.
Our parish community now includes 4200 families with 650 children in our Parish Religious Education Program and just under 300 students enrolled in St. Mary of the Lakes School.
Learn More
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To the Good People of St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and School:
June 1, 2020
St. Justin, MartyrOn this brilliantly sunny Monday morning, I write this fourth pastoral letter during the pandemic, looking out my window, just above beautiful pink and yellow roses. At the same time, I am so very mindful of the violent unrest that has plagued the cities of our nation in the aftermath of the wrongful death of George Floyd of Minneapolis. May the Lord restore peace to our world, our nation, our states, our cities, our towns, our homes and our hearts. Jesus breathed on the Apostles that first Pentecost and said, “Peace be with you . . . Receive the Holy Spirit.” Added to the tension already present from the pandemic, we pray all the more fervently for God’s holy grace, which is always truly and merely sufficient.
On a happier note, I am please to announce that 9:00 a.m. daily Mass will be offered in the parking lot outside of cars (weather permitting) beginning Monday, June 8. Everyone two-years-old and older will be required to wear a mask. When you arrive, please park your car in the gravel parking lot or in the section straight ahead of the entrance and to the right of the Church. Please bring your own beach chair/s, which you will carry to the other end of the parking lot near the Emmaus Center, where Mass will be offered. You may sit together with those who came with you in your car, but please make sure there is six feet between you and those near you. Holy Communion will be distributed by the priests and extraordinary ministers, going to the communicants, who will stay at their places.
Saturday Vigil (5:30 p.m.) and Sunday (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and noon) Masses will be offered in Church beginning June 13 and 14. A link on the homepage of the parish website will be created to reserve your seat/s as you would do to attend a movie. Further directions will be available once the link is activated. The other option will be to contact the parish office and Mary or Lenora will be happy to make the reservation for you. There are 207 seats available at each Mass. For now, please be aware, due to social distancing, that if you will attend Mass alone, you must reserve your seat on either side section of the Church. Those who will attend with others can reserve their seat in the middle of the Church. Everyone two-years-old and older will be required to wear a mask. Further directions will be given during the Mass to receive Holy Communion and exit the Church.
Confessions will be heard outdoors (weather permitting) beginning Saturday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If a line forms, please stand six feet apart. When making your confession, please stand by the barrier, which will be positioned six feet from Father Roy or me.
Baptisms will be celebrated beginning Sunday, June 14. Baptisms may be scheduled at any time on any day, provided one of the clergy is available at the time you are requesting. Only your family can celebrate Baptism at that time and there will be a 25-person limit. Please call the parish office to schedule a Baptism.
Memorial Masses will be offered beginning Monday, June 15. Please contact the Parish Office to schedule a Memorial Mass. Memorial Masses may have up to 200 persons in attendance. Everyone two-years-old and older will be required to wear a mask.
The Lord has been so present to us as we have prayed for those adversely affected by the pandemic and the riots: those who contracted Coronavirus and have recovered; those who are still suffering from Coronavirus; those who have completed this life’s journey and are now with the Lord; those who have put themselves at the service of others and at risk to themselves; those who have lost their job, their business and/or their savings; and those others who are isolated with no one to visit or pray for them. May we continue to be their faithful intercessors, knowing full well that God’s grace is always truly and merely sufficient.
Assuring you of my prayers, and asking yours in return, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Dan
Outdoor Parking Lot Masses
(weather permitting)
Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday
5:30 p.m.
Sunday
8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and noon.
The Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass
will be simulcasted.
Daily Mass Schedule
A parking lot Mass is offered
Monday through Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
The Daily Parking Lot Masses are simulcasted.Please observe the following directives if you choose to attend:
1. Outdoor Masses will be offered weather permitting.
2. All those in a high risk category are asked to stay home as Mass will continue to be simulcasted.
3. Please bring a mask for each person in your car.
4. When you enter the parking lot, you will be greeted by a parking lot attendant (usher). Please follow their direction to a parking spot.
5. Cars will be parked every other spot to observe social distancing. Do not park in a spot where there is a cone.
6. You may roll down your windows but you are not permitted to get out of the car unless you are sick. If you get out the car, the Mass will stop and Father Roy or I will direct you from the sound system to get back into your car.
7. On Sunday, the collection will be taken after the Mass. The usher/s will be standing at least six feet before the priests who will be distributing Holy Communion.
8. Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass. Follow the direction of the parking lot attendants.
9. Holy Communion may be received only in the hand.
10. When you approach the priests (Father Dan will be on one side of the car, Father Roy on the other), please wear your mask and extend one hand (flat) out of the car window. After you answer “Amen,” remove your mask and place the host in your mouth and then drive away after the last person in your car has received Holy Communion.Church Open for Private Prayer
The Church is closed for Private Prayer on Thursday, June 4, Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, due to maintenance.
Please Observe These Directives:
· The Church is open for private prayer every day (see above) from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
· Only 10 persons are allowed in the Church at any given time.
· Everyone 2-years-old and older must wear a mask.
· The Parking Lot Entrance is the only door to be used.
· Social distancing of six feet is to be observed.
· After a pew is used, leave the kneeler down so staff knows the area needs to be cleaned. Do not sit in a pew above a kneeler that is down.
· The public restrooms are locked.
· Please do not gather outside church, or in parking lot. -
Daily Mass
To see the June 4, 2020, 9:00 a.m. Mass simulcasted, please click HERE
To see the June 3, 2020, Mass on video, please click HERE
To see the June 2, 2020, Mass on video, please click HERE
To see the June 1, 2020, Mass on video, please click HERE
To see the May 31, 2020, Pentecost Sunday Mass on video, please click HEREThe Coronavirus and Act of Spiritual Communion prayers are below so you can pray them with the priest at the appropriate time:
Coronavirus Prayer after Prayer of the Faithful
Jesus Christ, You traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.”
At Your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience Your healing love.
Be with doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know Your protection and peace. May victims regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear.
Stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with You in Your Eternal Peace.
Hear our prayer, O Divine Physician. Hear our prayer.
Amen.Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.A Prayer For Going Deeper
O Divine Presence,
I do not enter the deeper realm
all by myself.
Always you are there with me,
as a guide to protect and direct me,
as a loving companion to embrace and support me,
as a wise One to provide both challenge and solace.
O Divine Presence,
as I go deeper to discover my roots,
wrap me in your love.
Strengthen me as I face fear and insecurity,
surprise me with hidden treasures
waiting within me.
O Divine Presence,
when I feel shaky and uncertain
from seeking and searching,
assure me often
that I am always rooted in your love.
Remind me often
that I am always rooted in your love.
Remind me often
that your love never leaves me,
even when I lose the road
to my inner home.
O Divine Presence,
You desire my wholeness.
You would never lead me anywhere
that would destroy me. Here is my life.
I place it in your care
as I commit myself to going deeper.
Amen.Call To Action
Please consider contributing to the Food Drive being conducted by the Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul. Drop off whatever you can spare at the Knight’s trailer located in the Church parking lot.
The un-manned trailer is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Click HERE for The Trenton Monitor link to an article on the food collection drive by the Knights.Order of the Mass and Daily Readings
Click HERE for the Order of the Mass
Click HERE for the USCCB’s daily readingsLive Adoration
For Live Adoration on EWTN GB, click HERE
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Virtual Prayer Book and Candle
Virtual Prayer Book
For a link to the St. Mary of the Lakes COVID-19 Virtual Prayer Book, please click HERE
The Virtual Prayer Book includes:Name/s of those diagnosed with COVID19
Name/s of those who have died from COVID19
Name/s of those who are helping in the relief effort of COVID19 (doctors, nurses, researchers, EMTs, Police, etc.) General Prayer Intentions not related to COVID19Light a Virtual Prayer Candle
For a link to the St. Mary of the Lakes Virtual Prayer Candle, please click HERE
We invite you to light a prayer candle for any intention. The large Easter Candle is lit during Mass offered inside St. Mary of the Lakes Church to symbolize and commemorate all the virtual candles requested via the internet.The Easter Candle is located inside the Church.
YOU MAY INCLUDE AN OFFERING WITH
YOUR SUNDAY GIFT -
News
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June 4The Church is closed for Private Prayer on Thursday, June 4, Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, due to maintenance.Read More
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June 4
Please click the title above to enjoy the Morning Broadcast video from the SML TV Crew! Happy Thursday!Read More -
June 4
At some point we all stand at this intersection and ask this question: Is God good when the outcome is not? The definitive answer to the goodness of God comes in the person of Jesus Christ. He’s the only picture of God ever taken. He pressed his fingers into the sore of the leper. He inclined his ear to the cry of the hungry. He didn’t retreat at the sight of pain, just the opposite. Cruel accusations of jealous men? Jesus knows their sting. Is it possible that the wonder of heaven will make the most difficult life a good bargain? This was Paul’s opinion. He said, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Your pain won’t last forever, my friend, but you will. And whatever we go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. You’ll get through this! God is good, even when the outcome is difficult.Read More -
June 2
The Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass will be simulcasted here on the homepage.Read More -
June 1To see the children's choir singing "Jesus in the Morning," click the title above.Read More
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St. Mary of the Lakes School Updates
Our enrollment for the 20-21 school year is open.
Please contact: Admissions@smlschool.org.
All of our registration forms are available on the school website by clicking HERE
We look forward to when we can all be together again!
May Crowning
Click HERE to see the May Crowning
video led by our 8th grade. -
Diocese of Trenton Updates
Mass of Requiem
Bishop O'Connell will celebrate a Mass of Requiem that will be aired on June 17 at 2 p.m. To see this Mass and join in prayer for the beloved departed from throughout the Diocese who we lost during this pandemic, please click HERE
Bishop O'Connell Announces Approval of 'In Car' Masses, Distribution of EucharistClick Here to read The Trenton Monitor story:
Faithful, Priests Celebrate Coming Together
For In-Car Masses
Churches May Reopen for Private Prayer Only, in Compliance with Public Health GuidelinesClick Here to read The Trenton Monitor story:
Pastors, Parishioners Thankful for Return to
Private Prayer in Church.The Diocese of Trenton is Here to Support
You and Your familyResources for families can be found on our webpage by clicking HERE
For the theme of Holy Trinity Sunday, click HERE -
Resources During Coronavirus
Magnificat On-line:
https://us.magnificat.net/#!VVMjMyMyMDIwIzEzMjMxNjg1Strong Catholic Families Website: http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/
CatholicMom.com: http://catholicmom.com/
USSCB Statement on Family Catechesis: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/children/
Catholic Icing – Great ideas for celebrating the various feasts with food and crafts: https://www.catholicicing.com/
For Moms: https://blessedisshe.net/
For Dads: https://www.catholicgentleman.net/
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Annual Catholic Appeal 2020
From the Pastor’s DeskThe Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is ongoing throughout the Diocese of Trenton.
Each year, the Bishop seeks the support of our parishes, our clergy, Catholic education and social services.
Each of us has a vital part in all we do in Christ’s name, and each of us can share in all we do with a gift to the ACA. The ACA gives us the opportunity to support the Church beyond our parish.
To date, SML has pledged $107,913. Our parish goal is $140,000. We need $32,087 to reach our goal. By reaching our goal, the rebate will be $21,000 (15 percent of goal). By continuing to exceed our goal, the rebate will be $21,000 + 50 percent of difference above $140,000.
Last year’s generous response allowed our parish to exceed our goal by 10.9 percent with total received pledges of $154,782 for a total parish rebate of $28,545.
We hope your generosity will allow for the same results this year and we thank you in advance for making a gift to this year’s ACA!
Father DanClick HERE to watch the ACA 2020 video
To donate online, click HERE
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St. Mary of the Lakes Statement on the Sanctity of All Human Life
St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and School embraces the teaching of the Catholic Church that all human life is sacred and must be protected.
God loves each human life from the instant of his or her conception and entrusts this gift to the protection of a mother and father. Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the women and men involved. Our Church provides healing for those who have had an abortion and prays to end abortion.
During these days when abortion is made to seem like merely a political issue, we are reminded that abortion is a moral issue and encourage all to pray for pro-life efforts on behalf of those who cannot help themselves.
We fully endorse the most recent statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about its unequivocal mission to support mothers and children, and to end the tragedy of abortion:
Every single human life has value. The trend of states passing pro-life legislation is a very encouraging move toward ensuring that our society cherishes unborn children and their most basic right to life. The pro-life movement has always had two critical goals: increasing support for mothers and children and eliminating the tragedy of abortion. Our march for justice and human rights for unborn children will not be complete until they are recognized and protected as persons by the law. Our ultimate objective, however, is for abortion to be unthinkable. As we celebrate these pro-life legislative victories, we reiterate our commitment to supporting all mothers with the care and resources they need. The Church stands ready to help and welcome them.- Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas
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Reverend Daniel F. Swift,Pastor
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Reverend Roy Ballacillo, Parochial Vicar
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Disciples in Action - Cohort 3 Parishes
For information on Mass, Confession times, or other information at any of the Burlington County Cohort 3 parishes, Disciples in Action, click on the following:
Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle
St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton
St. John Neumann Parish, Mt. Laurel
St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton -
Fr. Dan's Suggested Reading
Father Dan compiled the following bibliography in answer to the question, “Father, can you recommend a good book for spiritual reading?” Click HERE
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Our Faith. Our Family. Our Future. Donate/Make Pledge Online
To make an online pledge or donation to Our Faith. Our Family. Our Future. capital campaign, click on: Faith To Move Mountains. Go to the top of the page and click on Donate Now. Select your amount. Then scroll down to select a parish. Select St. Mary of the Lakes Medford to donate or make a pledge to Our Faith. Our Family. Our Future. God bless you for your most generous support!
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Make a Memorial Donation for Friend/Loved One
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Parish Registration Form
Please click HERE for Parish Registration Form.