Faithful of the Diocese of Trenton are invited to attend a Marian Service and Devotion on Mother Mary in St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, Oct. 16. Entitled “Mary, Full of Grace,” the evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the church at 40 Jackson Rd., Medford, and will highlight the Blessed Mother’s apparitions in Guadalupe, Mexico; Champion, Wisc., and her help at the Battle of Lepanto. Father Daniel F. Swift, pastor, will preach a homily and music will be provided by the parish choir. Advanced registration is not necessary to attend and there is no fee.
“The session promises to be a profound journey of reflection and spiritual renewal,” stated program organizer Garry Roetteger. “Mary is a beacon of hope for humanity, linking history and eternity. The program will reflect on the role of the Rosary and its promise of protection and hope, inspiring the faithful to pray with renewed perspective and purpose. We need Mary’s guidance in today’s uncertain times.”
Roettger reflected on the Catholic Church’s strong devotion to Mary, who “was created to participate in the ultimate purpose, the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate reward which is Christ’s plan to save us from death and share with us the rewards of eternal salvation,” he said. “Mary was the only human being present for Christ’s birth and crucifixion and all key events in between. Her walking with Christ reveals our highest yearning to walk with Christ, through trial and joy, as we strive for the new Garden of Eden in heaven where we will walk with God for all eternity.”
An exciting addition to the evening will be the presence of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1999, then-Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, authorized the removal of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe from the Basilica in Mexico in order to create a new, true and exact digital copy. Rector of the Sanctuary Msgr. Diego Monray Ponce, Vicar General and Bishop of Guadalupe, blessed four digital images and certified that they are exact copies.
The images represent the spiritual presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe; St. Mary of the Lakes Church is honored to host one of these images the evening of the program.
For more information about upcoming presentations, visit smlparish.org.