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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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News
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August 14
Be careful! In a desire to be great, one might cease being any good. Not every teacher is equipped to be a principal. Not every carpenter has the skill to head a crew. Not every musician should conduct an orchestra. A promotion might promote a person right out of their sweet spot. For the love of more, a person might lose their purpose. Greed makes a poor job counselor. Examine your gifts; know your strengths. Romans 12:3 says to “Have a sane estimate of your capabilities.” Proverbs 15:16 says, “It is better to have little with fear for the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil.” Don’t let the itch for things or the ear for applause derail you from your God-intended design!Read More -
August 12The Diocese of Trenton requires anyone over the age of 18 who participates in a Parish ministry to attend a VIRTUS training session every four years to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Note that this is a change from the previous VIRTUS requirement. What this means is that every adult who currently volunteers for SML Church, School, or PREP and has not previously attended a VIRTUS session, or who has not taken a refresher course within the past four years, must attend a class as soon as possible. VIRTUS Training Sessions are offered at parishes throughout the Diocese. During the months of September and October, St. Mary of the Lakes will offer the following sessions: 9/12 at 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (The September 12 Virtus Session at 6:30 p.m. will be a re-certification class for those who have previously attended a Virtus class - those who have never attended Virtus will need to choose another session listed) in the Parish Meeting Room (PMR) at the School ; 9/19 at 10:00 a.m. in the Prep Conference Room (PCR) at the School; 10/10 at 10:00 a.m. in the PCR; and 10/17 at 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the PCR. Pre-registration is mandatory at virtusonline.org. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. Email questions to frontdesk@smlparish.org.Read More
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August 1
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is designed for those 16 years of age and older who are interested in becoming Catholic. Those who are baptized (Catholic or non-Catholic) and have the desire to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation, who have never been baptized or are interested in gaining a clearer understanding of the Catholic faith, are asked to consider RCIA. Catechetical instruction is taught by our RCIA Team on Sunday mornings from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. beginning September 15th. At the Easter Vigil those who are comfortable in receiving the sacraments will become full members of the Catholic Church. If interested, contact Christine Brandt at cbrandt@smlparish.org or by calling 609-654-8208 ext. 113.Read More -
July 31
As the Bishop of a Diocese, I am frequently asked to issue “statements” on a variety of subjects and I often do. I try to be very careful in what I write and preach, avoiding topics of a political nature, keeping in mind my responsibility to use opportunities that I have to address and teach the faithful on matters of faith and morals. I prefer to label my writings as “reflections” or “messages,” more homiletic in nature and content, designed to encourage believers to follow the Gospels of Jesus Christ and to apply the teachings of the Church to issues or events of contemporary relevance to Catholics in our Diocese. It’s not that I don’t have political opinions — I do. We all have a right to our own opinions, political and otherwise, and a right to express them with constitutionally guaranteed protections. But I don’t consider the various pulpits that I have as Bishop to be the appropriate place to make my political opinions known. The faithful look to their Bishop for spiritual not political guidance. My proper text is the Word of God as truth; my proper text is the teaching of the Catholic Church as truth; my proper text is the Christian life as truth that these texts attempt to encourage and support. When issues that confront us in contemporary culture undermine our Catholic faith, compromise or, worse, prevent our constitutionally guaranteed “free exercise of religion,” those issues need to be challenged. The Bishop has an obligation to do that in and for his Diocese. It is part of his office and ministry in the Church to teach, to govern and to sanctify. And priests and deacons who share in his ministry also share that obligation in virtue of their ordination. The lay faithful are likewise encouraged to speak out in virtue of their baptism. Any assault on the God-given gift of life in contemporary culture needs to be challenged. That challenge is not rooted in political opinions or agendas, although the media often refer to assaults on life as “‘hot button’ political issues.” No, that challenge is rooted in the fundamental truths of our faith. That’s the text we preach. As St. Paul has written “we believe and so we speak (2 Corinthians 4:13).” Even the Declaration of Independence affirms “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Our nation was founded on that belief and conviction. As Bishop, I believe, and so I speak, this challenge to be an assault on life that has become imminent in New Jersey. As of August 1, New Jersey’s “Aid in Dying” legislation is the law of the state. This legislation is morally wrong on so many levels. It flies in the face of what our Founding Fathers believed. It flies in the face of what the Church believes and teaches. As we witness the slow but steady erosion in contemporary culture of the conviction that all human life is sacred and worth preserving at every moment from conception through natural death, I call upon all Catholics within the Diocese of Trenton, indeed, upon all people of good will, to recommit themselves to the belief that God is the only Creator and source of all human life and that, therefore, God alone has the right to determine its natural end. Human life is about joys and sorrows, good times and bad, health and sickness, love and loneliness, abundance and sacrifice, time and eternity and every human experience in between: yesterday, today and forever. Everyone who lives will eventually die. That's the way God made us and there are no exceptions and no escape. No one wants, seeks or enjoys sickness, suffering or the pain that touches every one of us in this journey through natural human life. But natural human life is, truly, a journey from its first moments in the womb through its last heartbeat and breath on earth. And God our Creator is the thread that ties every moment, every instance of that journey together from beginning to end. Laws do not alter that reality, try as they might. Laws should not interrupt that continuum, try as they do. Death brings the same result whether legal or not; whether through someone else's assistance or by one's own hand; whether natural or induced. The only real "death with dignity" is the one that follows a full "life with dignity" as God our Creator has designed and intends it to be, with all its natural, God given and human moments. Anything else is a rejection of God our Creator as Creator and an affront to the human nature God has implanted within us, one and all. The so-called "Death with Dignity Act" -- physician or "anybody else" assisted suicide -- is another tragic example of human hubris, re-creating God in our own image; imposing our own limits upon God's law and will and wisdom; exhausting God's otherwise inexhaustible mystery and merciful companionship in our journey through the natural, fully human life God alone can give. And when sickness comes to those we love, it is our obligation to care even when there is no cure. I write these reflections as Bishop and shepherd, yes, but even more personally as a son who stood with his brothers by their parents’ sides as they breathed their last. Although now that it has become law in New Jersey to bring about the end of life, it is an option and a choice that we should never make.Read More -
July 31
Fr. Dan teaching at Vacation Bible School on Wednesday. To see photos from the Vacation Bible School this week, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.Read More
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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 City, Kansas
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The National Catholic Youth Conference
The National Catholic Youth Conference will take place November 21-23 in Indianapolis. This conference is open to all high school students in grades 9-12.
The conference is an opportunity for the young church to gather together with teens from across the USA for workshops; prayer reflections; service projects and to encounter Christ like you never have before!
The three day conference culminates with Eucharistic Adoration, Mass and a Concert at Lucas Oil Stadium! In the past, over 23,000 young people have attended the event. SML YES ministry will be attending this year and the cost for teens to attend will be $500.
The deadline to register along with your non-refundable
$500 fee is August 23.
To register your teen please contact yes@smlparish. org or call Linda Xerri @ 609-654-8208, ext. 111 and for Permission Slip click HERE -
Come To Me
“Come To Me”
Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you.”
OUR MISSION:
To join together weekly (in person or in spirit)
and bring to God the needs of our parish, our world
and all who have asked us to pray for them.
OUR MINISTRY:
Intercessory prayer is about praying for and with others. Our goal and commitment is to “surround our parish in prayer.” We will supply a list of requests once a week to those who offer to join us in prayer. We will share first names only (or no name) to protect the privacy of those we hold in prayer. As a member of Jeremiah 29:12 you can:
· Pray each week at home alone or with family
and/or friends.
· Pray in your already established prayer groups
· Pray in our new Adoration Chapel
· Simply, join our weekly email prayer chain:
one email … many prayers
If you want to pray for others or if you need prayer support, reach out to us.
Email: CometoMe@smlparish.org
Call: 609-953-8670 (please leave message) -
Eucharistic Adoration 24/7
The Adoration Chapel was consecrated at the end of the noon Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi,
Sunday, June 23.
To see photos from the Consecration of the Adoration Chapel, please go to the News/Events tab above
and click on Photo Album
To read the Trenton Monitor article, please click HERE
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at NightThere are many hours available to adore Our Blessed Lord at night. In his book, In Sinu Jesu,(On the Chest of Jesus), Jesus gives the following messages to a Benedictan monk:
There are particular graces reserved for souls who keep watch before My Eucharistic Face during the night. Those who pray by night imitate My own night watches of prayer to My Father. (MT 14:23; MK 14:46-47; LK 6:12, 21:37)
Learn to adore Me by night. Even in the night I wait for them (adorers). In the night hours it is possible to have an intimacy with Me that one cannot experience at other times.Eucharistic Adoration Signup
We have begun using a website that helps us manage the Eucharistic Adoration schedule. You can access the website from your smart phone or computer at: sml.weadorehim.com
Just click “Sign Up” to create an account and set your preferences. Use the activation code: AVEMARIA to automatically register. You can also learn all you need to know about signing up and using the website by watching the video at: sml.weadorehim.com/help
If you had already signed up for an adoration hour previously, an account was set-up and you were sent a welcome email. If for some reason you didn’t receive a welcome email, please email grahamcfarland@gmail.com with a valid email, cell phone and/or home phone number and we will update and resend.
The website is very easy to use and allows you to commit based on your schedule. The website is for everyone – whether you are committing to a weekly hour or just a specific hour during the week as a substitute.The website makes it easy by:
· Automatically sending you email, text or phone reminders of your commitment
· Allowing you to request a substitute
· Allowing you to manage your commitment and preferences
· Seeing the opportunities to help out as a substitute adorerIf you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Natalie Stone at mazzunat007@msn.com or Diana Kenworthy at dkenworthy1@gmail.com.
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Fr. Dan's Sunday Homily on Video
Click HERE for the August 15, 2019 Homily: So Much to Consider in the Assumption
Click HERE for the August 11, 2019 Homily: What's the Point
To see the video archives or read the archives of Fr. Dan's weekly homilies, please go to the About tab above and scroll down to Pastor and click on the homilies. -
SML School Updates
St. Mary of the Lakes School is looking for a part time lunch/recess assistant and substitute teachers. If interested, please contact: info@smlschool.org.
The SMLCCS Recipe Book is available!
Please click HERE for the online ordering link
To read the article in The Monitor on Catholic Schools Week and the Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., please click HERE
To see photos from the SMLS Open House and other Catholic Schools Week activities, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.
Click HERE to see the SML Open House video
SMLS New Transfer Student Grant
SMLS is pleased to announce our new Transfer Grant Program for new families with students in grades 1 through 7 for the 2018-19 school year. The grant is a tuition credit of $1,500.00 per student in his/her first year at SMLS and $1,000.00 in his/her second year. Financial assistance will also continue to be available.
Please visit our smlschool.org/admissions
for further information.
Check out
The Welcome back to St. Mary of the Lakes School
2018 Video !
Click HERE to see ! -
Carnival Updates
To see more photos from the Carnival, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album
To see slide show from the Carnival, click HERE
To read story in Trenton Monitor, click HERE
Thank You to Our Sponsors !
Allen’s Oil and Propane
The Venable Family
Surety Charitable Trust
Swift-Hummel Family
The Stewart Family
Chiusano Homes
The Martin Family
The Cogan Family
The DiFilipo Family
Medford Ford
Action Plumbing
Today’s Dance Center
Marge and John Fleming
Mark and Arlene Baldwin Family
Accurately Controlled Environments
Murphy’s Fresh Markets
Karbasian Law Firm
PJ Whelihans
Republic Bank
Action Plumbing
Leo’s Yum Yum
Ponzios Restaurant
Patrick Kearney
Duane Morris LLP
Warren Mazzochette Contractor
Lenora & Michael Gange
Clyde N. Lattimer and Son Construction Co. Inc.
Burdey Publications presents Hometown Magazine
If you are interested in any sponsorship opportunity for the 2020 carnival, please contact Maria at mking@eventcrazy.com
for more information.
Go directly to the Carnival Facebook Page by clicking HERE -
Annual Catholic Appeal
Continuing to Exceed Our Goal
The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is ongoing throughout the Diocese of Trenton.
To date, SML has pledged $146,439 to top our goal of $139,600. By reaching our goal, the rebate will be $20,960 (15 percent of goal). By continuing to exceed our goal, the rebate will be $20,960 + 50 percent of difference
above $139,600. Therefore, when all pledges are paid, St. Mary of the Lakes will receive a parish rebate of $24,379.50.
Last year’s generous response allowed our parish to exceed our goal by 11 percent with total received pledges of $155,405 and this gives a total parish rebate of $29,140.
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!
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Reverend Daniel F. Swift,
Pastor
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Reverend Roy Ballacillo, Parochial Vicar
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This Week's Events
Sunday, August 18
· AA Meeting / 7 p.m. / PMR
Monday, August 19
• Men’s Gospel Reflection Group Meeting / 6 a.m. / JRE
• Daughters of St. Theresa Benediction / 7 p.m. / Church
Tuesday, August 20
Wednesday, August 21
• Legion of Mary / 9:30 a.m. / CRW
• Cantor Rehearsal / 6 p.m. / Church
Thursday, August 22
Friday, August 23
Saturday, August 24
• Baptismal Prep Class / 10 a.m. / CRW
Sunday, August 25
• AA Meeting / 7 p.m. / PMR
SML Room Abbreviations
CRL = Conference Room Left
CRR = Conference Room Right
CRW = Conference Room Whole
JRE = Jackson Rd. Entrance in Church
PCR = Prep Conference Room
PMR = Parish Meeting Room (located in the back of
St. Mary of the Lakes School)
SA = School Auditorium -
Disciples in Action - Cohort 3 Parishes
Community Outreach Survey Update
Thank you to all who responded to our survey in March. Your feedback was thoughtful and meaningful. The primary purpose of this survey was to determine if there are gaps in our ministries. Is there a new need in our community, whether our parish or our town, where we could be providing help? An example could be a response to the growing and disturbing trends of prescription drug addiction. In analyzing the survey responses, there doesn’t seem to be a serious gap in how we are serving the needs of our local communities. Should you feel differently, you still may provide suggestions in this area. You may send an email to Stella.denn@verizon.net with any feedback or suggestions.
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.