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Just a friendly reminder to please use the Parish Office Drop Box next to the Rectory front door for drop offs . Thank you !

Mass Cards can be ordered/purchased by calling the parish office from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We will be happy to mail the Mass Card for you. Please have the address for the family available when calling.

There is a story in the Bible about some men in a boat who were caught in the midst of a big storm. They are afraid for their lives. All hope seems lost. But then they call on Jesus who is in the boat with them. He answers their call and speaks peace to the storm. He calms the raging sea around them, and most importantly, the fear in their hearts. God wants to bring peace into the storms in our lives. He doesn’t want us living in fear or losing our hope. When the storm rages around us, we can find comfort knowing that we are not alone. The God of Peace is in the boat with us. We are not alone. We are not facing the storm alone. He is with us and he is for us, if we will call on him. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Turn to Him today.

Catholic Charities is fully operational at a heightened state of precaution, accommodating social distancing. To access our services or learn how the changes affect our clients via the internet type, click the title above or go to Https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/catholic-charities-coronovirus-pandemic/ or call our Help Line 1-800-360-7711

All parish teens in grades 8-12 are invited to join "Virtual YES" where we will meet up weekly to connect; talk about our days and pray during these uncertain times.  If you want to join us please have your parents contact Mrs. Xerri at yes@smlparish.org for the access code for next week's meeting. PROJECT YM is offering a virtual meet up every  Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  If you would like to join in for games, prayers and worship, please check out  ProjectYMLive.com to register.  Next week's speaker is the inspirational Katie Prejean McGrady, who recently emceed the National Catholic Youth Conference at Lucas Oil Stadium! 

Just a friendly reminder to please use the Parish Office Drop Box next to the Rectory front door (pictured) for drop offs. Thank you !

The 13th Annual KofC “Chip In For Charity” Golf Event scheduled for June 8 has been postponed to Monday, October 26, 2020 at the Medford Village Country Club.

During Sunday's Angelus, the Holy Father has called on all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at noon (7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time). Perhaps our Christian sisters and brothers in Medford and beyond would care to join us. Also, on Friday, March 27, he will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrato of St Peter’s Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the façade of the Church, reported Vatican News. “I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication”, he said. The ceremony will consist in readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication. The blessing “to the City [of Rome] and to the World” is normally only given on Christmas and Easter. The Director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the moment of prayer on Friday will be broadcast live from the Vatican, beginning at 6 p.m. Rome time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time). He noted that the plenary indulgence attached to the Urbi et orbi blessing."

A Ministry for praying with and for others to draw us closer to the heart of Jesus and one another. Do you need prayer? Do you want to pray for others? Contact us to become a "prayer," or if you have a special need for prayers Please email cometome@smlparish.org or call Carol at 609-953-8670 (please leave a message)

Virtual YES All parish teens in grades 8-12 are invited to join "Virtual YES" where we will meet up weekly to connect; talk about our days and pray during these uncertain times.  If you want to join us please have your parents contact Mrs. Xerri at yes@smlparish.org for the access code for next week's meeting. Project YM PROJECT YM is offering a virtual meet up every  Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  If you would like to join in for games, prayers and worship, please check out  ProjectYMLive.com to register.  Next week's speaker is the inspirational Katie Prejean McGrady, who recently emceed the National Catholic Youth Conference at Lucas Oil Stadium!  Covenant House Sleep Out Postponed Covenant House Sleep Out on  April 24 is postponed until a later date—please continue to check the facebook and website for updates. 

Please check in on the elderly in your neighborhoods and if they need errands run or shopping done, there is a list of parishioners who are willing to help. Please call Christine Brandt or the Front Desk at 609-654-8208 to let us know.

On March 19, 2020, Thursday, at exactly 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), His Holiness Pope Francis will join the whole country of Italy in praying the Rosary for healing and protection against Covid-19. This has now produced a global call to all countries to do likewise, with each time zone joining in and creating a nonstop chain of prayer. And so today at exactly 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), we will join this “Worldwide Rosary,” to ask Mary, Health of the Sick, under the loving gaze of St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and our families, to bring us to the luminous Face and Heart of Jesus Christ. Please pass and share this with your own families and friends, so that today at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), the whole world will pray as one.

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.

The SML YES kids are in a video from the Diocesan Youth Conference on February 8 at Donovan Catholic High School. Click the title above to see the video.

Wondering how Young Adults can become more active in our parish? Join the Young Adult Ministry! We are a group of adults ages 18-30 who want to give back to our community through glorifying Christ. We are always looking for more members, please email the front desk expressing your interest at frontdesk@smlparish.org.

To see photos from both Volunteer Appreciation Dinner/Dances, please go to the News/Events tab above and click on Photo Album.

Click the title above to see video and read this story by Jessica Boyington: We are counting down the top local thrift stores thanks to your votes! Your number 6 pick: St Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store in Medford, NJ. I dug my way around St. Vincent de Paul's Thift Store to see what treasures I could find. The store has what seems like miles of well-organized pants, sweaters, shoes, home decor, and books. Every person has a purpose in making this well-oiled machine run smoothly. It's run by about 160 volunteers, and all without a paycheck. Some of the volunteers have even worked for the nonprofit for over 40 years. The store is an extension of St. Mary of the Lakes Church and their mission is to help those who are in need. The ability to help relies primarily from thrift store revenue and donations from the public, and after all these years, has grown to help 150 families at any given time. So you see, it's more than just hand-me-down stuff to dig through. It's the future and well-being of a family who needs help. To find out how to volunteer or donate, go to smlparish.org.

Best Lent Ever sign up at www.dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever or by clicking the title above.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Operation Rice Bowl is a Lenten faith-in-action program which provides 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 to 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 returned to the Parish Office during regular business hours, throughout the Lenten season. If you prefer to make 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. As your family prepares to take up this call to help those in need, the following prayer can be said for those who are supported by the mission of CRS: “God, You are the source of every blessing, May we be mindful of your presence now as we use these CRS Rice Bowls in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. May they be instruments of encounter, bringing us closer to you, our God and to our neighbors both near and far. May these days in the desert inspire us to bring hope to the most vulnerable~ those experiencing hunger, lack of economic opportunity and violence that force them to migrate. Throughout these 40 days of Lent, may we deepen our faith in you and our love for one another, as we prepare for the great celebration of Easter. Amen.” Any questions about the CRS Operation Rice Bowl, please contact yes@smlparish.org or call the YES Office at 609-654-8208, ext. 111

Greetings Respect Life Friends in the Diocese of Trenton, Urgent: Please join the US Bishops in urging members of Congress to OPPOSE the Equal Rights Amendment, which, in its current form, would require federal funding for abortions, and would overturn pro-life and conscience protection laws in all States. The House of Representatives will be voting on this tomorrow, Thursday 2/13. Click below to access the Human Life Action site which offers and easy way to contact YOUR Congress members & to learn more about this important issue. Human Life Action work together with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for advocacy regarding important legislation that impacts the dignity of Life at all stages. Click here to access the TAKE ACTION page for this issue: https://www.humanlifeaction.org/take-action/