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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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November 19
The 37th Annual St. Mary of the Lakes Annual Fashion Show was held last Sunday at Luciens Manor in Berlin. To see more photos from the St. Mary of the Lakes Fashion Show, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.Read More -
November 19
Religious leaders loved to make theater out of their prayers. The show nauseated Jesus. In Matthew 6:6 He said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and He will reward you.” The words surely stunned Jesus’ audience. The people were simple farmers and stonemasons. They couldn’t enter the temple. But they could enter their closets. The point? He’s low on fancy, high on accessibility. You need not woo him with location or wow him with eloquence. It’s the power of a simple prayer. Every day for four weeks, pray four minutes…a simple prayer. Then, get ready to connect with God like never before.Read More -
November 8
To join the Young Adult Ministry please contact the parish office at Frontdesk@smlparish.org. To see more photos from the Young Adult Ministry Meeting on Thursday night, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.Read More -
November 8The 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. St. Mary of the Lakes will offer a session on Monday, 11/25 at 1:00 p.m. in the PCR. This is a good opportunity for any adults planning to volunteer over the upcoming Advent/Christmas season to attend. 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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November 8At each weekend Masses in November, parishioners are asked to make a name tag and wear it to Mass, so they can be “Called by Name.” (Isaiah 43:1) Fathers Dan and Roy try their best to learn the names of parishioners. One way Father Dan cheats is when he sees two parishioners having a conversation, he waits until the conversation ends, then asks the parishioner whose name he knows, the name of the parishioner whose name he doesn't know. Many times, the answer is, “I don’t know. I see (him/her) at church all the time and I don’t know their name.” So Called by Name in November will be a big help to those, who, like Father Dan, are visual learners. Your participation will be appreciated !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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Upcoming Events / Registration Links
S.M.A.R.T.
Desserts and Volunteers Needed for
Trenton Soup Kitchen
Saturday, December 21
St. Mary of the Lakes Parish will be preparing and serving Christmas Dinner for 450 guests at St Mary’s Cathedral Diocesan Soup Kitchen
at 151 N. Warren St. in Trenton.
Volunteers are encouraged to attend. Please be at the Trenton Soup Kitchen at 11:15 a.m.
If you are unable to attend, we have a Dessert Drop off on Friday, December 20, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Emmaus Center. Please bring your favorite cookies, brownies, or other finger foods.
Please contact Barbara or Rick Gillespie at 856-985-8330 with Cookie drop off questions, or Tom Plantulli 609-654-0958 with Trenton Soup Kitchen input.
Click HERE for the Soup Kitchen Sign Up link
YES
Upcoming Community Service Opportunities in the Parish
Contact yes @smlparish.org to Volunteer
· YES Bake Sale on November 23/24 after all Masses - we need baked goods to sell. Drop off at 4:30 p.m. 11/23.
· Feed My Sheep Casserole Ministry - all year — students should plan, shop, prepare and drop off home-cooked meals. The food should be cold or frozen on delivery to the Parish Office/ Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Students can find projects on their own with ministries in the parish such as SVDP; they should check the bulletin regularly and social media sites for info on upcoming projects. Cedar Run; MYAA; Ronald McDonald House etc. are all good choices for volunteering -
SML School Updates
On December 3, Catholic schools from across the Diocese of Trenton are participating in Giving Tuesday, the global day of charitable giving that follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday is a day of charity that fosters connection and generosity which helps you bring real change to your community. 100% of the monies raised through this campaign will go directly to St Mary of the Lakes School for facilities enhancements and improvements. Help support us on Dec. 3 with a donation by going to www.LeadinFaith.org or pledging to volunteer your time at our school in support of Catholic education!
Substitute Teachers Needed
St. Mary of the Lakes School is looking for substitute teachers and substitute assistants. Interested applicants should send their resume to info@smlschool.org -
Eucharistic Adoration 24/7
Eucharistic Adoration SignupWe are 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
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 aIf 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 November 17, 2019 Homily: The Church Will Never Ruin
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. -
Catholic Charities
Know someone needing assistance with food, housing, drug addiction, mental health, domestic violence or immigration? Contact Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton click HERE or go to www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org
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Reverend Daniel F. Swift,
Pastor
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Reverend Roy Ballacillo, Parochial Vicar
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Today's Events
Tuesday, November 19
· Bereavement Group / 10 a.m. / CRW
· Environmental Awareness Committee Meeting / 12 p.m. / CRW
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
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.