We Make Disciples

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

Vacation Bible School - July 29 through August 2

ROAR: LIFE IS WILD. GOD IS GOOD!

Registration is ongoing for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, July 29 to August 2, at SML School, 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Preschoolers through 5th graders (as of September 2019) are welcome to join us on this exciting adventure. Register by mail (PREP Office, 196 Route 70, Medford)
or at the PREP Office.
 Please click HERE for the online registration link.

Volunteers needed for Vacation Bible School

Volunteers of all ages are needed from July 29-August 2, beginning with students entering 7th grade in September (although we can take a few sixth graders). Volunteers must sign up using SignUp Genius. Positions fill up quickly, so register early! All questions must be emailed to smlprep@smlparish.org.
Please clickHERE and sign-up. 

VBS VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSION
Training for all pre-registered VBS volunteers is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, in the SML School Auditorium from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. We will also be decorating on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, starting at noon. It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare our program, and we appreciate as much help as you can give.
 
CATECHISTS NEEDED
The tagline of this year’s Vacation Bible School is “Life is wild. God is good.”  I’m sure we all agree that this is a valid observation, and I am equally sure we all want to do whatever we can to teach our children to trust in God when faced with life’s challenges. One way you can help accomplish this is by volunteering as a Catechist for the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP). Substitute catechists, assistants, monitors, and office help for Tuesday/Wednesday afternoons (4:15-5:30 p.m.) and Tuesday evening classes (7:00-8:30 p.m.) are also needed.  For more information, contact the PREP Office at smlprep@smlparish.org. 

MONDAY AUGUST 5
4:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.
Medford Village Swim Club
 
All teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join us
^{(rain date August 8)}
**food**fun**friends**swimming
RSVP to yes@smlparish.org so we can plan for food!   
Click HERE for Permission slip

A Special Thank You to the Parishioners
              To all of the volunteers who came out to help with the 2019 SML Carnival, we offer our most sincere thanks. From the very youngest volunteers who were about 8, to the very oldest that was 95, each and every one of you showed what makes St. Mary of the Lakes a family. Working tirelessly in the heat and the rain, erecting fencing,  getting covered in funnel cake mix, restocking soda, spinning a wheel in a game booth, unloading trucks, working a hot grill or delivering water to fellow volunteers, you did it all.
 And you did it willingly and happily, together, for a good cause: the future of St. Mary for the Lakes School. On behalf of the St. Mary of the Lakes Carnival committee, we salute you all for an extraordinary job, well done!
Thank you all so much.


 
Used Towels Wanted
Unfortunately it rained on Friday and Saturday nights of the carnival. We were at the ready with paper towels to wipe down the tables and booths, but used bath, hand and beach towels would have worked better. Please donate your used towels to the box at the parking lot entrance, hoping we will never need to use them at future carnival. Thanks!
 
A Heartful Thank You From Fr. Dan for Year Two!
The week of June 23^rd was a memorable week for St. Mary of the Lakes! We began with a beautiful Mass of Consecration for our Adoration Chapel. The finished product surpassed the mind’s eye of many, and I am sure Jesus is pleased with the opportunity to spend time with His adorers, to speak to them and shower them with His graces. At the same time, Jesus is pleased to shower His extra graces throughout our parish. I for one have felt a greater sense of inner peace as I go about my daily duties and responsibilities as your pastor.
 
The graces flowed across town to our second annual carnival and provided us with a fantastic week of family, fraternity and fun, and per this year’s t-shirts, a week of Jesus making “all things new.” (Revelations 21:5) It is our prayer this carnival week provided an open door to welcome greater Medford into our parish family and for the unchurched to find a home with us.
 
So, a heartfelt thanks to all who helped to make our carnival a success, including, but not limited to, everyone who:

• attended a meeting
• made a decision
• stocked the refrigerator truck
• took an inventory
• flipped a burger
• parked a car
• spun a wheel
• retrieved a ball
• scooped a water ice
• smiled a smile
• tapped a keg
• poured a beer
• wiped a table
• emptied a trashcan
• played a song
• sold a 50/50
• cooked a hot dog
• washed a tray
• funneled a caked
• painted a face
• counted a dollar
• set up a tent
• took down a sign 

May every task we do, last week, and always, be offered for God’s greater honor and glory. Amen!






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

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



Following the Mass,
Eucharistic Adoration began 24/7.

Now That Eucharistic Adoration Has Begun
Please note the following:

Þ The Church will remain open until approximately 4:00 p.m.
Þ At 4:00 p.m. the inside doors from the Jackson Road entrance to the Church will be locked.
Þ The outside doors to the Jackson Road entrance on the parking lot side will always remain unlocked.
Þ The storage room and choir loft will continue to remain locked at all times.
Þ Bathrooms will never be locked.
Þ Please park in the gravel parking lot and not in the driveway.
Þ If for some reason you do not feel safe, there are four emergency buttons in the Adoration Chapel. Pushing the button will initiate an automatic response from police. You may also call 911.
Þ On the cabinet against the window is a sign-in binder for all adorers.
Þ On the cabinet are books for spiritual reading. Please do not take them with you.
Þ If you are ready to leave and the next adorer has not arrived, simply close the monstrance safe doors.
Þ If you arrive and the monstrance safe doors are closed, simply open them.

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 adorer

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Natalie Stone at mazzunat007@msn.com or Diana Kenworthy at dkenworthy1@gmail.com.

Click HERE for July 7, 2019 Homily: The Face of Christ Will Be You

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.

St. Mary of the Lakes School is looking for outstanding candidates to fill the following vacancies for the 19-20 school year.  Candidates should send cover letter, resume, and appropriate certifications to Mrs. Amy Rash, Principal at arash@smlschool.org
 · Part time music teacher: teaches preschool-8th grade music class and choir; ability to play piano preferred
· Part time Spanish teacher: teaches preschool-8th grade Spanish
· Preschool teacher: 4 year old preschool (full time teacher for the second classroom of 4 year old PreK) 
· Part time lunch/recess assistant (M-F 11:45-1:15)
· Substitute teachers
 


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 !

Bishop's Letter
 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

Pope St. Paul VI once said, “Never reach out your hand unless you are willing to extend an arm.” With these words, he challenges us to do all we can to build up the Body of Christ in our communities and provide assistance to those in need.  He urges us to offer our help with free hearts and a generous spirit, withholding nothing in our efforts.
 
Together, we as the Diocese of Trenton,  have been able to embrace that challenge by providing the essential ministries, programs and services that make a critical difference in the lives of so many through the Annual Catholic Appeal.
 
Keeping in mind the words of Pope St. Paul VI, I ask that you prayerfully consider a gift to the 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal so we, together, may continue the work of strengthening parish and family life, evangelizing our community and our world, and reaching out to those in need with love and compassion.
 
With a grateful heart, I pray the Lord will guide you in all you do, will be your courage when strength is needed, and be your joy in all times.

Gratefully yours in in Christ,
 
Most Reverend David O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton
 

To see video for the Diocese of Trenton
2019 Catholic Appeal,
click HERE

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

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

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!

Please click HERE for Parish Registration Form.