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The Easter Vigil was celebrated on Holy Saturday at the 7:30 p.m. Mass. Congratulations to Victoria Villalba, who received the Sacraments of Initiation at The Easter Vigil. Also, congratulations to the newest members of our Catholic community: Bradley Denn, and Romley Raines, who were received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church at The Easter Vigil. We also celebrated with Natacha Besancon, Eric Judy and Colin Thein, who completed their initiation through Confirmation. Our community welcomes and congratulates them and continues to offer them our prayers and support as they continue on their spiritual journey. To see photos from The Easter Vigil, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

Thank you to the volunteers - Frank Babinchock, Chris Benstead, Gene Brandt, Mary Gallagher, Maureen Mallon, Elizabeth McDonald, Anne and Garry Roettger, Father Dan Swift, Heather Troy, Carol and John Wagner - who helped on Saturday morning to decorate the Church for Easter.

Good Friday included The Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at  3:00 p.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes followed by the Sacrament of Penance and the Stations with Veneration of the Cross at 7:30 p.m.  To see photos from Good Friday, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

Holy Thursday was celebrated with The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the 7:30 p.m. Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was until Midnight. To see photos from Holy Thursday, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

It was a privilege for St. Mary of the Lakes to host the Funeral for Specialist Nicholas DiMona III of Medford Lakes, who was killed in the line of duty on March 30th serving in the US Army. A wake was held in Church on Monday, April 15 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Tuesday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. To see photos from the wake and the funeral, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

The Knights of Columbus and YES held their annual Breakfast with the Bunny Sunday morning.To see photos from Breakfast with the Bunny, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

To see more photos from Friday nights Sleep Out For Homeless Youth with YES and Covenant House, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

St. Mary of the Lakes Council, Knights of Columbus, Medford, will host its 12th annual charity golf tournament June 10 at Medford Village Country Club, benefiting three charities. To read the story in The Monitor, please click the title above.

A first class relic of St. John Paul II was in the St. Mary of the Lakes Church for veneration all day on Wednesday, April 10.

Thank you to all who joined us for three evenings in the church for the iMercy Lenten Mission offered by Father Bill Garrott. O.P.The mission opened on Monday, April 8 with "The Father Blesses." The mission continued Tuesday, April 9 with "The Son Heals" and concluded Wednesday, April 10 with "The Spirit Strengths." To see photos from the Mission, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

In light of the March 22nd stabbing during Mass at The Oratory in Montreal, all of us, not just Father Dan, Father Roy and ushers, need to: be prepared to take action in an emergency; be aware and vigilant of our surroundings; practice “situational awareness;” and be confident to stay calm and assist in an emergency. Since a person can die from blood loss within five minutes, it is critical that everyone (not just emergency responders and healthcare providers) knows what it takes to step up, take action and STOP THE BLEED. On Monday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. Parishioner Nicole Fox, MD, a Cooper trauma surgeon, will refresh our situational awareness skills and provide practical tips for staying calm in an emergency. Training on the use of tourniquets, a valuable and life-saving skill when done correctly, will also be provided. FBI agents and officers from Medford Township Police Department will be on hand to answer questions. We will be finished in about an hour. Time well spent!

If you are on the fence, before you decide, see the movie "UNPLANNED." If you know someone contemplating an abortion ... suggest they see UNPLANNED first! It may save two lives, one from death and the other from a lifetime of regret. IMMEDIATE HELP is available. You and you baby deserve better. Call: OPTIONS for WOMEN  856-795-0166 or Helpers of God's Precious Infants  856-321-0411

Calling ALL St. Mary’s parents! Cub Scout Pack 108 needs your kiddos for our “Pokemon Showdown” on Thursday, April 18, at 6:45 p.m. If the thought of joining Scouts has ever crossed your mind, you do not want to miss this evening of game-playing (a.k.a., our monthly pack meeting). Location – SML School Auditorium. Answer trivia questions for the chance to win a few of those highly-coveted Pokemon cards and then trade them with a brand-new buddy. Leaders will be on-hand to answer all parent questions and discuss the amazing adventures we have in store for next year. We could really use a “St. Mary’s Team” table. But be ready for questions of a higher power! If friendship development, character-building values, and practical skill building sound good to you, please RSVP to ktezla@yahoo.com.

A wonderful morning Mass with our retreat master, Fr. Bill Garrott, O.P.! Fr. Bill will be celebrating the 9:00 a.m. Masses at SML Church the next two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) as well, followed by confession. The mission starts tonight! Can’t wait! Fr. Bill will be leading the Rosary at 6:40 p.m. Each evening with the mission starting at 7:00 p.m. Each morning and evening after Mass and the evening message, Fr. Bill will be hearing confessions. This evening the topic is: iMercy:The Father Blesses. Tonight’s Scripture verse is Luke 12:29-32. Fr. Bill will be blessing participants with the Oil of St. Joseph. If you have a loved one who can’t attend, bring a picture. Hope to see you there! The mission talks are good for anyone 2nd Grade and older!

St. Mary of the Lakes in Medford, a growing parish of 4,200 families with a school of 275 students, seeks one full-time dynamic Administrative Assistant for the parish office. Candidates must have strong telephone, interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include: maintaining web-based office calendar, ordering supplies and materials, church mailings, producing reports with church specific software, along with other administrative responsibilities. Supports Pastor and staff in their roles. Provides assistance to parishioners and church ministries. The qualified candidate must have exceptional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, Outlook and Publisher). Knowledge of data base systems is a plus. Preferred Associates Degree and/or Bachelor’s Degree. Benefits and salary commensurate with experience. Submit salary requirements. No telephone calls will be accepted. Qualified candidates should submit their letter of interest and resume by April 25, 2019 to: Ms. Susan Kraemer, Business Administrator, St. Mary of the Lakes at skraemer@smlparish.org. Please include SML#2193 on the email subject line for your resume to be considered.

There was Confirmation for 8th Grade School and PREP students at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Church Thursday. To see photos of the two Confirmation ceremonies, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

Volunteers are need to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday evening Mass at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. Please contact Sister Regina at rmccalla@smlparish.org.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Operation Rice Bowl is the agency’s Lenten faith-in-action program which the Diocese of Trenton is asking all parishes/schools to participate in this Lent. It offers an opportunity for families to engage daily with the spiritual pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Throughout Lent, our parish has many opportunities for families to come together as a community and reflect on what it means to live out our gospel call and go out and encounter those most in need. In support of CRS Operation Rice Bowl, collection “bowls” are available at the doors of the church. We encourage you to take one home and fill it each week with a monetary offering that will then go directly to CRS. Filled collection “bowls” can be placed in the boxes at the JRE or returned to the Parish Office, PREP Office or School Religion Office during regular business hours. If you prefer to give your donation by check, please place it in an envelope, and make it payable to St. Mary of the Lakes with the word “CRS Operation Rice Bowl” on the memo line and envelope. Any questions about the CRS Operation Rice Bowl, please contact yes@smlparish.org or call the YES Office at 609-654-8208, ext. 111

VIRTUS is a national program designed to equip adults with the tools to recognize inappropriate behavior towards children and vulnerable adults. The Diocese of Trenton requires anyone over the age of 18 who participates in one or more ministries to attend a 3–hour VIRTUS session every four years. Therefore, every adult who currently volunteers for SML Church, School, and/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 in order to participate. VIRTUS Training Sessions are offered at parishes throughout the Diocese. St. Mary of the Lakes will offer the following class on: • May 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. – Location: Parish Meeting Room. Pre-registration is MANDATORY at virtusonline.org. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. No Walk-ins will be accepted Please note when registering for your VIRTUS account to use your Legal Name, be sure to include any information on your account as applicable (i.e. driver’s license or passport name must match) Email questions to frontdesk@smlparish.org

A second collection for all Easter Masses will support YES Outreach efforts.  Money collected will go towards the Covenant House Sleep Out for Poverty Event on April 12 and the Habitat for Humanity Mission Trip scheduled for June 24-28.  Thank you !