We Make Disciples

It was a spur of the moment decision to attend the Carnival at St. Mary of the Lakes (on its very last day - June 30).  The day before I had googled "Carnival" in hopes of finding a fun family event that would entertain me, my boyfriend (Charles "Chuck" Mc Nally) and his very energetic nine-year old daughter, Ashlyn Rose.  When I mentioned several carnivals that I found online, Chuck was surprised to hear about the one in Medford and said that we HAD to go to that one even though it was close to two hours away! 
 
Unbeknownst to me (at the time of my internet search), Chuck and his brother Chris had both graduated from St. Mary of the Lakes School in the 1980s and their late mother Linda Ann Mc Nally had volunteered in the administrative department at the school from around 1982 until 1990! Chuck was confirmed in 8th grade at SMLS, served as an altar boy and has told me plenty of fun stories and anecdotes about his time there.  I have heard all about Sister Justina (principal), Sister Catherine, Sister Xavier …
 
We all thoroughly enjoyed the Carnival and will be back next year.  It reminded me of the carnivals of my youth that I attended at my own Catholic School and parish (Mother of Sorrows) in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania.  It was a very special day for us.  Ashlyn won not one but two large stuffed bears and I was lucky enough to be the Super 50/50 First Prize winner (and yes I did say a prayer that I would win!)   I like to believe that my winning was a sign from my mom who passed away two years ago.  Two weeks before she died, my mom asked me what sign I wanted from heaven.  I was feeling sad and did not feel like thinking about signs like butterflies or dragonflies.  My mom (seeing my dismay but keeping her great sense of humor until the end) said "how about the lottery?”
 
I bought my ticket and won the raffle on June 30, 2018 - one day and two years to the day that she passed (June 29, 2016).  Coincidence?  Maybe.  Maybe Not.

- Lori Bibko

Battle of the Bands
 The Battle of the Bands was contested at the St. Mary of the Lakes Carnival
on the Craig Annin Baxter Law Stage !

To see photos from Wednesday's Family Night by the Burlington County Times
click HERE

To see a video from Tuesday's Opening Night of the Carnival
by Alliance Video Productions
click HERE

A blessing and ribbon cutting from Fr. Dan before the inaugural Carnival on Tuesday night !

To see more photos from the Carnival on the parish website, please go to the News/Events tab above
and click on Photo Album.

Go directly to the Carnival Facebook Page by clicking HERE

The Carnival Hotline Number is ( 609) 451-1458

Look here soon for Volunteer Opportunities for 2019 Carnival !



If you are interested in any sponsorship opportunity for next year's carnival, please contact Maria at mking@eventcrazy.com
for more information.

Father Dan sent an email to his brother priests in mid-June, asking them to make one-to-one asks to high school aged  young men who have expressed an interest in priesthood or who they thought might have an interest in a priestly vocation, to join Father Dan, Father Roy and Bill Clingerman, a seminarian spending his summer at St. Mary of the Lakes, for a day in New York City.
 
Father Dan and his lively brood in tow left St. Mary of the Lakes last Thursday morning.
 
As God’s timing would have it, they arrived at St. Patrick Cathedral a few minutes prior to noon, giving them time to settle in for Mass. After Mass and a group shot at the side altar, there was time to tour the Cathedral before heading to Carmine’s for a late afternoon dinner.
 


Bill Clingerman, who has accepted the call and is studying for the Diocese of Trenton at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD had this to say. "It was a blessing to make this pilgrimage with Father Dan, Father Roy, Father Colavito and the young men considering the vocation to the Priesthood. We prayed together at Mass, enjoyed good food and fellowship, and contemplated the beauty of St. Patrick Cathedral. I encouraged the young men of the group to continue to pray, to be open to God's will for them, to pray for one another, and, most of all, to spend time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.”
 
The next outing for priest hopefuls is slated for Thursday, October 18, a parish bus trip to Emmitsburg, MD, home of the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Mount St. Mary Seminary (Father Dan’s alma mater). Father Dan will be glad to reserve as many seats as needed for any young man interested in the priesthood, to spend a beautiful day enjoying the scenic autumn view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, praying, and letting possible seeds to be planted and watered. Again any young man interested should email Father Dan at father_dan@smlparish.org.

To read the Trenton Monitor story on the trip to New York, please click HERE

The Clergy, Staff and Parishioners of St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and School joyfully celebrated the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of our parish with a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving Offered by His Excellency The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM Bishop of Trenton !

To view Bishop O'Connell's homily click HERE

For story coverage from the Trenton Monitor on St. Mary of the Lakes’ Anniversary Mass click HERE

To see the Trenton Monitor photo gallery from the Anniversary Mass click HERE


 
To see more photos from the 75th Anniversary Mass, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

To see professional photos from the 75th Anniversary Mass by Silver Image Photography, please click HERE

Moms and Dads, mark your calendars! Your children will have a summer they will never forget when they are Shipwrecked and Rescued by Jesus. This “Totally Catholic” VBS program is scheduled for July 30
through August 3 at SML School. Children aged 4 (as of May 1) to those starting 5^th grade in September are welcome to join us on this exciting adventure. Click HERE for registration.

Eucharistic Adoration Sign Up Schedule

Please decide what weekly time slot you want from the Master Spreadsheet by clicking HERE - the green blocks are available and the grey blocks on the schedule have an Adorer in place - and then send an email indicating what hour you want to be an Adorer to:

Natalie Stone (mazzunat007@msn.com)
or Diana Kenworthy (dkenworthy1@gmail.com)

                                          Continuing to Exceed Our Goal

           The weekend of February 24-25 was Pledge Sunday for the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) 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 $152,163 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 $27,241.50.
            There is also the additional incentive to receive an even greater rebate. If we can increase our participation rate by 10 percent, or 73 new gifts, we will receive an additional $6,980.
          As you know, St. Mary of the Lakes has embarked on a capital and building campaign, entitled, Our Faith. Our Family. Our Future. Part of the proceeds of this campaign will benefit the Diocese of Trenton to increase reserves for endowment purposes to address long-term needs in the following areas: Ordained Ministry (priestly retirements and seminary education); Catholic Schools; Catechesis and Evangelization; and Social Services.
         However, the Annual Catholic Appeal is a critical annual appeal that funds current diocesan operating expenses.
         Last year’s generous response allowed our parish to exceed our goal by 23 percent with total received pledges of $171,718 and this gives a total parish rebate of $36,999.
         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!
 
Listen to Fr. Dan discuss the Diocese of Trenton 2018 Catholic Appeal by clicking HERE

To Donate online
(Select St. Mary of the Lakes to receive credit)
please click HERE

Part Time Position available at
St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic School: 
 

School Bookkeeper.  Interested candidates are asked to submit their resume along with two professional references and one personal reference, and salary requirements to:
Susan Kraemer, Business Administrator at the Parish Office or email skraemer@smlparish.org.
No telephone calls will be accepted.

Overview
The School Bookkeeper is responsible to the Business Administrator and Parish Bookkeeper to manage the school’s financial recordkeeping, process tuition payments, create purchase orders, order school books/supplies and reconcile school class accounts.  Oversee vendor contracts, assist with the preparation of the school budget, process school stewardship queries and support the order process for the school carnival. 

Job Qualifications
This individual must have excellent problem solving, attention to detail, communication, interpersonal skills and ability to maintain confidentiality.  Proficiency in WORD and Excel; knowledge of QuickBooks a plus. Must be a self-starter, well organized; perform multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to meet deadline dates. 
Bachelor’s Degree in accounting/business/finance is preferred.  Work experience in accounting with successful coursework in Business/Accounting may be considered in lieu of a degree.
 

2018-2019 Enrollment
 Enrollment and Pre-K 3 & 4 information is now available on our Admissions page.
If interested, please contact: 
If interested, please contact:
Mrs. Amy Rash
Principal
(609) 654-2546
arash@smlschool.org

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.

Father Dan compiled the following bibliography in answer to the question, “Father, can you recommend a good book for spiritual reading?” Click here

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!

Tuesday, July 17
· Glory to God Prayer Group / 7:30 p.m. / PMR
 

JRE = Jackson Rd. Entrance
PMR = Parish Meeting Room
RDR = Rectory Dining Room
SA = School Auditorium

For information on Mass, Confession times, or other information at any of the Burlington County Cohort 3 parishes, 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

Please click HERE for Parish Registration Form.