We Make Disciples

To see the simulcast of the 9:00 a.m. Mass 
on May 18, 2021, please click HERE

To see the video of the 9:00 a.m. Mass on May 17, 2021, 
please click HERE
To see the video of the 9:00 a.m. Mass on May 16, 2021,
please click HERE

Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday - 5:30 p.m. 
Sunday - 7:30 a.m. 
9:00 a.m. (simulcasted)
10:30 a.m. and noon.
Everyone must wear a mask.

Daily Mass Schedule
Monday through Friday
7:15 a.m.
Monday through Saturday
9:00 a.m. (simulcasted)
Everyone must wear a mask.

The 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.

Order of the Mass and Daily Readings

Click HERE  for the Order of the Mass
Click HERE for the USCCB’s daily readings

Light a Virtual Prayer Candle

For a link to the St. Mary of the Lakes Virtual Prayer Candle, please click HERE

YOU MAY INCLUDE AN OFFERING
WITH YOUR SUNDAY GIFT

       YES is Supporting Catholic Charities and the Secular Franciscan's Project Oak Tree

             We are  collecting donations for migrants and refugees released from Customs & Immigration. Please drop off the following items to the bins at JRE and PLE of church:

1. Individual / single serving crackers, gold fish, wheat thins, popcorn, rice krispies treats, trail mix...
2. Undergarments - sports bras, underwear and socks for all genders, all ages (must be brand new).
3. Pants (leggings and sweat pants only – NO jeans, pants with  buttons or zippers.
4. Tops (sweatshirts, sweaters, cardigans, t-shirts and coats only) – NO blouses.
5. Shoes (athletic shoes/tennis shoes, slip on shoes, and flip flops only) – NO formal shoes and/or heels.
6. Pajamas (tops and full length pants only) – NO shorts, nightgowns, or nightdresses.
7. Baby and toddler clothing, all sizes, all genders.
8. Toys for children, all ages, all  genders.

 Monetary donations are also being accepted.  Please make check payable to St. Mary of the Lakes
with memo line reading: “Migrant Donation”

The Knights of Columbus are selling bricks that will be placed along the walkways and in the shape of two (2) Crosses that will be placed entering the church from the back parking lot.  You can have the bricks inscribed with the names of your family, an anniversary, a special event or a deceased loved to commemorate their legacy.

The Dedication Brick Crosses are close to completion.
They only have about 75 bricks left to finish two full crosses.
They would like to break ground in the next month.

  The cost is $125 for a 4x8 brick and $175 for a 8x8 brick.  Add $25 for clip art and mini replica bricks are available for an additional $35. 

Click HERE for the Brick Fundraiser order form.
    You can make your check payable to St Mary of the Lakes Church and drop off at the Parish Office.

 Church Study 
Father Dan continues to offer an Intergenerational Church Study on the second Wednesday of each month with the next class June 9 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Father Dan will teach hybrid in the Emmaus Center with 52 attending in-person and also on-line.

Click HERE for classes on the
second Wednesday of the month.
      
Meeting number (access code): 182 867 1434
Meeting password: Francis
(3726247 from phones and video systems)             
               
      Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)              
+1-415-655-0001,,1828671434#3726247# US Toll     
Some mobile devices may ask attendees to enter
           a numeric meeting password.      

Click HERE to see Fr. Dan's Church Study Class on
May 12, 2021

         Allow me to introduce myself. I am Christina Kotowski and I will be joining St. Mary of the Lakes, as the new Director of our YES youth ministry. I’m a South Jersey native, growing up next door in Marlton. I am a graduate of Seton Hall University with a BA is Social and Behavioral Sciences with concentrations in Sociology and Catholic Studies. I was an active member in their campus ministry, leading bible studies, the Rosary and small groups. I was also blessed to be part of a Mission Trip to San Pedro, Belize and had the wonderful opportunity to attend the World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland.
          I’m a huge voice for all youth, and young adults, including our special needs community. I love being able to spend time with young people, and to meet them where they are. I’m very energetic and on fire for our faith, as well as today’s young church. I will bring a youthful, passionate enthusiasm not just to the YES youth ministry, but also to SML as a whole. I look forward to working alongside so many great mentors and enthusiastic parishioners like myself. Please feel free to see me after Mass to say Hi. I would love to meet you! Thank you so much and  God Bless! 

- Christina Kotowski

We are once again able to collect casseroles for the Feed My Sheep Ministry. Please drop off homemade, pre-frozen casseroles Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Emmaus Center. Students may record up to three hours for service in the mobile serve app.
Questions contact: yes@smlparish.org

Click HERE for a website with casserole recipes!

Whoo Hoo! We Hit Our Goal!
Each year, the Bishop seeks the support of our parishes, our clergy, Catholic education and social services.
As of 5/10/2021, SML has pledged $140,248. Our parish goal was $140,000. 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, which is currently $21,124.
 Thank you for your generosity!

Annual Catholic Appeal Donation
To make a donation to the 2021 Diocese of Trenton
Annual Catholic Appeal, please click HERE

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 Admissions

HELP WANTED
St. Mary of The Lakes School is hiring for their Before and After Care programs for the 2021-2022 school year.
Job requirements include: supervising children
ages PreK to 8th grade.
Must be 18 years or older to apply.
Before Care hours are 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
After Care hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. but can be flexible.
If interested please send a resume to Jordann Bichler at jbichler@smlschool.org or
St. Mary of the Lakes School
196 Route 70, Medford, NJ, 08055

     The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for the JUDIE WASSON
VOLUNTEER SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD.  The criteria are as follows:
  AWARDEE: High School student (junior/senior) and an active member of St. Mary of the Lakes Youth Group (YES).
  CRITERIA: Consistently demonstrated Volunteerism and Leadership in “Service to Those in Need” in a Spiritual and/or Service leadership capacity of a minimum of two years. This service must have been demonstrated within an active ministry at St. Mary of the Lakes Parish.
  EXCLUSIONS: “Mandatory” volunteer work/service hours as a requirement of another program (Confirmation, National Honor Society, Scouts, or required  Community Service.)
  DOCUMENTATION:  Applicant must write an essay which includes:
(1) Name, address, telephone number, school attending
(2) Actual involvement in Spiritual and/or Service leadership capacity, including time/hours devoted to the involvement and describe what this involvement entails
(3) How those were served/benefitted in the Vincentian Spirit by explaining what it means to live with a “Vincentian Spirit” and minister to the poor
(4) Sustainability of the involvement
(5)Certification confirming/describing applicant’s  “involvement” from the Parish Youth Minister

Please submit your completed application by email to the YES Office  at  yes@smlparish.org  by May 31, 2021

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