With the Sept. 27th feast day of St. Vincent de Paul just days away, the Medford Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society found additional cause to celebrate through the dedication and blessing of its newly renovated and expanded thrift store, caring center and food pantry.

The Sept. 23 dedication ceremony was presided over by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

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“After much hard work and prayers by so many members of our community, we gather now to bless this building and all of you and we pray that the Lord in his goodness will continue to guide you as you strive to serve the poor among us,” said Bishop O’Connell.

The Medford Conference, which is a ministry of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, last November inaugurated the $1 million expansion and renovation project of the facility which is located on Jones Road near the bustling Route 70 intersection.

With the expansion, the building has been increased from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet that includes a larger thrift store with donated clothing, shoes, small household items and appliances available for purchase; a food pantry that includes more storage space and a new walk-in freezer; and the caring center with additional meeting rooms and office space where staff can meet with clients in private. Renovations made on the outside now provide for on-site parking with lined spaces and a designated entrance and exit.

Prior to the dedication ceremony, Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass in St. Mary of the Lakes Church. In his homily, he spoke about the life of St. Vincent de Paul who was a 17th century parish priest who dedicated his life in service to the poor, as well as Blessed Frederick Ozanam, a lay man and 19th century founder of an organization established to help the needy in Paris who chose to name that organization the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

 “My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today is a beautiful day for St.  Mary of the Lakes  Parish,” said Bishop O’Connell. “It is a day when this parish demonstrates the depth of commitment to becoming Christian, to being Christian, to living the Christian life in the spirit of the Gospel as the servants of all, especially in service to the poor and those in need.”

The Medford Conference, which was established in 1980, began operation in its current facility in 1981, and serves the Burlington County communities of Medford, Medford Lakes, Browns Mills, Pemberton Township and Moorestown.

The conference currently operates with a total of 150 volunteers, with some of the volunteers coming to help out at certain times throughout the year, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, with food deliveries and other holiday related needs.

The volunteers also help to staff the thrift store, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; work in the food pantry, handle the office work, conduct home-visits and meet with clients who come for assistance.

Commending the Medford Vincentians for their work, Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, said, “This St. Vincent de Paul Society structure serves as a reminder to all of our parish and our entire community of our need to be true disciples of Christ and to share what we have with those who are in need.”

“You are answering what the Gospel is all about,” he said.