Y.E.S. is sponsoring a trip to the Year of Youth Fest on Sunday October 14. We will travel by Van to Manahawkin to participate in the 3:00 p.m. Mass with Bishop O’Connell. Immediately following Mass there will be a Carnival/Fair on the grounds of St. Mary’s Manahawkin. Students in grades 5-12 are invited to attend and travel by van. Limited seating is available and will be reserved on a first come RSVP basis. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND but once the van reaches capacity, students will need to make their own transportation arrangements to the festival. Since the festival is a FAMILY EVENT, we encourage you to plan to spend the day there with your family. Questions contact Youth Minister Linda Xerri at yes@smlparish.org or call 609-654-8208, ext. 111. If you wish for your child to travel with Mrs. Xerri via van, please complete the form by clicking on the Year of Youth Fest title above and return to the PARISH OFFICE by October 8.
The Mass with Anointing of the Sick on Tuesday, October 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the church. Who is to be anointed? Anyone facing serious illness Anyone who has chronic health problems Anyone facing significant surgery Anyone suffering from physical or emotional illness. We encourage all to attend. Join us to pray for all those being anointed and for all who need prayers.
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR IN A CLIMATE-THREATENED WORLD? Our Environmental Awareness Committee will be sponsoring an evening of prayer and reflection on the care of Creation. Provided by the Catholic Climate Covenant, an on-line, program, it seeks to help Catholics know more about how to care for the earth. Join us on Oct. 12, at 7:00 in the Prep Conference Room in the School as we follow the mandate of Pope Francis, to treasure and care for the earth. Enter by the PREP door. For more information, contact Sr. Regina McCalla, 609-654-8208, X. 119.
After enjoying a meal together, participants watched a DVD presentation by Dave Nodar of ChristLife on "What is the meaning of life?" Then came together in their small groups to discuss their own lives and experiences, and recognize that we are made for a relationship with God, and that it is in Jesus that we find the meaning of life.
The Fall Sports Mass was celebrated on Sunday, September 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the Church for all SML field hockey and soccer players this fall. Each player wore their team uniform to this special Mass and were blessed by Fr. Dan.
The Littlest Disciple's event originally scheduled for tonight (Friday, September 21) has been rescheduled for Friday, October 5, at 6 p.m. in the Parish Meeting Room at SML school.
Have fun playing basketball and socialize with fellow parishioners while you play The St. Mary of the Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 6520 plays in a winter basketball league. The Knights are always looking for players. The Knights will start practice on Tuesday, September, 25, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the St. Mary of the Lakes School gym and will continue to practice on Tuesday nights during the Fall. All are welcome ! For more information, contact Scott Lattimer at sclattimer@aol.com
There is service opportunity for students in grades 6-12. Follow the link to sign up for the Annual Apple Festival sponsored by the Medford Historical Society: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/ 4090F4AACAF28A3FF2-apple2
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. Note that this is a change from the previous VIRTUS requirement. What this means is that 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 as soon as possible. VIRTUS Training Sessions are offered at parishes throughout the Diocese. During the months of September and October, St. Mary of the Lakes will offer sessions on the following days: 9/27 at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and 10/22 at 10 a.m. These sessions will be presented in the Parish Meeting Room (at the back of the School). Pre-registration is mandatory at virtusonline.org. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. Email questions to frontdesk@smlparish.org.
PREP are held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. for 1st through 6th graders. The 7th and 8th graders meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. We are in need of a catechists for Tuesday 4:15–5:30: Grade 4 Classroom assistants, hall monitors, substitute catechists, and office help for both afternoons and Tuesday evening classes are also needed. Please contact the PREP Office at 609-654-2546 x315 or mscordato@smlparish.org.
Year of Youth Fest needs 7 – 12th graders to showcase their gifts and talents! Please consider sharing artwork and/or preforming at “DoT’s Got Talent” after 3 p.m. Mass on Oct. 14 at St. Mary’s Manahawkin. To submit an entry have your talented teen get permission from their parents and go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/yearofyouthfest and click on the artwork or performance links for more info!
The Marlton Recreational Council is seeking students ages 11-18 to serve as Buddies in its Sports Unity program for children with Special Needs. The program began in 2011 to allow children with special needs to participate in organized sports. The goal of the program is to not only teach player-athletes the basic elements of the sport, but to be part of the team. The unique aspect of the Sports Unity Program (SUP) is that the player athletes are paired with a Buddy to guide and support them during each practice session. No experience necessary to serve as a Buddy. Buddies must complete a one-hour certification class and will earn community service hours through their participation. Fall program begins in a few weeks: Soccer: Sept. 5-27 held on Saturday mornings from Noon - 1:00 p.m. at Beeler Elementary School Street Hockey: Sept. 12 to Oct. 24 held on Wednesday Nights 6:15-7:15 p.m. at Marlton Street Hockey Rinks Fall Ball: Sept. 10 to Oct. 22 held on Monday Nights 6:15-7:15 pm at Diamonds Arrowhead Park Those interested in doing their community service with this organization for either Confirmation Service or National Honor Society Service should contact coachvonberg@comcast.net