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

Click HERE for June 9, 2019 Homily: The Mystical Body of Christ
Click HERE for May 26, 2019 Homily: Always Tell the Truth 

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.

The Adoration Chapel will be consecrated at the end of the noon Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 23rd. Following the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration will begin 24/7. The schedule below indicates which hours still need adorers. The green blocks are times needing adorers; the grey blocks have an Adorer in place. Anyone interested in signing up for a Eucharistic Adoration hour can select a green block and send an email indicating what hour you want to be an Adorer to: Natalie Stone at mazzunat007@msn.com or Diana Kenworthy at dkenworthy1@gmail.com.


You can see a larger Master Spreadsheet by clicking HERE 

 
Volunteer Request for Carnival

To be a volunteer at the Carnival,
please click HERE to signup!

 If you are interested or have any questions, please reach out to: volunteers@smlcarnival.org.

Live Music Entertainment Line Up
Tuesday: Deez 2 Guys
Wednesday: Pitch Pines
Thursday: Don't Call Me Francis
Friday: Jennifer Mylod and the Boys of County Ocean
Saturday: The Blitz

Carnival Pre-Sale tickets and wristbands!
 Reduced price tickets and wristband vouchers will be sold after masses.  There is a limited quantity of wristband vouchers. Wristband vouchers sell out early, so buy them while supplies last!
 
Sale Dates:
June 15 and 16
 Prices (Cash or Check accepted for Pre-Sale):
Wristband Vouchers (Limited Quantities):
$30 ride all night, any night
Sheet Tickets: $30 for 30 tickets
Vouchers can be redeemed for the wristband on site during any night of the Carnival
at a designated redemption location.

SML School Carnival Super 50/50 Raffle
Dear fellow parishioners there are only 3 weeks left to return your Super 50/50 tickets with your check.  Remember all profits go to support St. Mary of the Lakes School. The drawing is June 29 at the Carnival.
 Place your ticket stubs and check in an envelope marked 50/50 and return to the Parish/ School office or place in the Sunday collection basket.
 All returns must be received by Friday, June 28.
Presently we have $16,000 to divide equally with the school and the eleven winners. 
First prize is now worth $4,000 and each of the
second place winners will receive $400. 

To see photos from the 2018 Family Night 
by the Burlington County Times
click HERE

To see photos from the 2018 Carnival on the parish website, please go to the News/Events tab above
and click on Photo Album.

To see a video from the 2018 Opening Night of the Carnival
by Alliance Video Productions
click HERE

Go directly to the Carnival Facebook Page by clicking HERE

Thank you to Our Sponsors (as of June 1)
Food Pavilion
Murphy’s Fresh Markets
Beer Garden
The Law Offices of David J. Karbasian
Main Stage Sponsor
PJ Whelihans
Snack Station
Republic Bank
Game Sponsors
Accurately Controlled Environments, Inc
Action Plumbing
Leo’s Ice Cream
Ponzios Restaurant
Medford Ford
Allen Fuel
Chiusano Homes
Venable Family
Patron Business Sponsor
John M. Fleming CPA/MBA
Swift-Hummel Family
Burdey Publications/Hometown Magazine
Family Sponsors
The Stewart Family
Lenora and Michael Gange
The Martin Family
Cogan Family
The Michael Wilus Family
 If you are interested in any sponsorship opportunity for the 2019 carnival, please contact Maria at mking@eventcrazy.com
for more information.

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 click HERE and sign-up. 

Registration for VBS
Moms and Dads, mark your calendars! Your children will have a summer they will never forget when they discover ROAR! Life Is Wild*God Is Good. This “Totally Catholic” VBS program is scheduled for July 29^_August 2 at SML School. Children aged 4 (as of June 1^st) to those starting 5^th grade in September are welcome to join us for this unforgettable adventure. Hurry because space is limited!
Please click HERE for the online registration link.

Click HERE for information on the St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and School Pilgrimage to Fatima and the  Camino de Santiago with Father Dan Swift and Father Joel Wilson.

SMLCCS Recipe Books - On Sale Now!



The SMLCCS Recipe Books have arrived!
Please click HERE for the online ordering link

Positions Available
Music Teacher
St. Mary of the Lakes School is seeking a part-time music teacher to begin in September.  The job includes teaching music to preschool-8th grade students, rehearsing with the choir, and preparing all students for school wide musical performances.  Ideally, the qualified candidate
also plays piano. 
Please send letter of interest and resume to the Principal, Mrs. Amy Rash at arash@smlschool.org.

Substitute Teachers / Assistants
St. Mary of the Lakes School is currently seeking substitute teachers and substitute teacher assistants.  Substitute teachers should have a minimum of 60 college credits.  Fingerprint clearance and VIRTUS (safe environment) training are required. 
Please send resume, cover letter, and copies of any appropriate certifications to: Ms. Teresa Lauth, Administrative Assistant, at info@smlschool.org.
 Any questions, please call (609) 654-2546 ext. 210.
 

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.