HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. PRATAP!!
Thursday, July 2nd

Weekly Words from The Rock:

Our gospel pericope of this Sunday comes from the fourteenth chapter of Luke’s gospel. In verses seven through fourteen, placed before us is the story of one being invited to a banquet. When invited we are told to seat ourselves at the lowest place so that when the host comes, we may be invited to a higher position of honor. We are also warned of the opposite happening. Initially taking a place of honor, we may be asked to give our place to another. Verse 11 summarizes by saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

There was a song by Mac Brown composed in 1974 entitled “It’s Hard to Be Humble.” The first verses have the following lyrics:

“Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble When you are perfect in every way

I can’t wait to look in the mirror Cause I get better lookin’ each day

To know me is to love me I must be a h--- of a man

Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble But I’m doing the best I can.

I used to have a girlfriend

But I guess she just couldn’t compete With all of these love-starved women Who keep clamoring at my feet

Well I could probably find me another But I guess they’re all in awe of me

Who cares? I never get lonesome Cause I treasure my own company.

Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble When you are perfect in every way.”

If you listen to the song, it is somewhat catchy; although, I must admit that someone has a rather inflated sense of themself. To such, a dose of humility wouldn’t be a bad thing. I’ve never had such an over-inflated sense of myself but from time to time, I forget to stay “humbly grounded.” Here is one such story. At a former assignment, it was the Easter season and I was doing the Sprinkling Rite. I was having fun with the people giving some of the congregation a double or triple shot of holy water. I was almost finished when I came to the last couple of pews. Wanting to give the people a “triple dose,” as I was sprinkling, the aspergillum flew out of my hand, landed against the back of a pew, made a loud crashing sound, and left a mark in the pew. Luckily, the aspergillum didn’t hit a soul.

As I retrieved the aspergillum, my face turned red in embarrassment. I had gotten ahead of myself, and a dose of humility was the order of the day. Fortunately, such an incident has never again occurred. Remember, stay grounded and be humble!

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

A Second Collection will be taken the weekend of September 13-14 to support CNEWA and CRS in their relief efforts for GAZA. To learn more about their vital work, you can visit their websites at www.cnewa.org and www.crs.org.

Vocation View: Humble yourself and you will find favor with God. Are you being called to be a priest or deacon, brother, or sister? Humbly ask the Lord.

Luke 14:1, 7-14

There will be Confession available 1/2 hour before mass on Sundays.

COF Steak Fry will be on Sunday, September 7th, 4:30 PM at Steger Hall. $5.00 for COF members and burgers are free to those who do not want steak. You NEED to reserve a steak to get a steak! Please call Kevin Leopold 507-793-2894 or Dennis Salentiny 507-360-1910 to reserve your steak.

A Box Of Joy may be the only Christmas gift a child in need receives. Please help your CCW with this project by picking up a Box of Joy from the church; fill it and return it to the rectory by October 5th. A list of gift item suggestions & instructions can be found next to the boxes in church entrance. They have requested that a rosary be included in each box. The postage will be paid by CCW.

Rosaries Needed: CCW is looking for rosaries to include in the Box of Joy. They have requested a rosary for each box so we are looking for a total of 20. Please drop by office or bring to Dianne Freking if you are willing to help. Thank you!

*A Holy Year of the forgiveness of sin, conversion and joyful celebration.

“The coming Jubilee will thus be a Holy Year marked by the hope that does not fade, our hope in God. May it help us to recover the confident trust that we require, in the Church and in society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation.” (Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit 25)

For more information about Jubilee please visit the following website: https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025

Sacred Heart in Heron Lake is a Jubilee location within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Next Sunday, Sept. 7th, we will have the Bethlehem Star Olive Wood display and sell their items in the church hall. Please come and take a look at their beautiful handmade olive wood.

First Friday is a promotion of devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus. This Fri. 9/3 can be a beginning of a nine month devotion. If you wish to practice a First Fridays devotion, and have a deep devotion to His Sacred Heart, on the first Friday of the Month, attend Mass and receive communion in a state of grace. You, the communicant, should have the intention, at least implicitly, of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all the sinfulness and ingratitude of men. Mass is at 9:30 at the Sogge Home. Go to: https://tinyurl.com/3ybauref for more information.

The Light Is On For You: Reconciliation continues to be available. All are encouraged to continue coming to confession throughout the year; or return to the sacrament of reconciliation.

Don’t Miss The Joy The Lord Wants You To Have! The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in the tri-parish, during adoration, on the 1st Sunday in Windom from 11-12 AM, also in Brewster on the 2nd Saturday from 4:00-4:45 PM and in Heron Lake before Mass on Sundays at 7:30 AM. Reconciliation is also before Mass on Saturdays at 4:30 PM in Brewster. (Brewster will not have confession on September 6th.)

Read more from Kathryn J. Hermes at: eucharisticrevival.org/blog Also while there, subscribe to the newsletter: eucharisticrevival.org/heart-of-the-revival-newsletter

Weekday Mass Schedule: Regarding the weekday Mass schedule; funerals and vacations scheduled intermittently may affect weekday Masses and there may be cancellations. Please be patient as we learn of these schedule changes. We will update you as best we can via facebook, signs at the church, announcements or even the bulletin when able. Thank you for your understanding. There will be no Mass Sept 30th -Oct 2nd for Presbyterial Days.

Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent, MN. Go to: https:// www.dowr.org/offices/life-marriage-family/marriage-preparation.html The next session is January 31st, at St. John Vianney, Fairmont, MN.

World Wide Marriage Encounter: The next session is October 4-5, 2025 at Schoenstatt of the Lake - Sleepy Eye, MN. Contact Miki Schultz at 507-227-8229 with questions.

Please like and share our Facebook page. The page is intended to connect current parish members and members that have moved with the activities of Sacred Heart Heron Lake.

We welcome you into God’s family! If you are interested in learning more about our church, or would like to join, please stop in the Parish Office.

Please notify the Parish Office of any change of address.

Contact the priest 6 to 12 months in advance of the date of marriage to fill out the forms, to do FOCCUS Test and to attend Marriage Prep Mentoring sessions. Please contact your parish office, if interested.

Contact the parish office a month in advance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.

When booking a Quinceanera and needing a 1st Reconciliation and a 1st Holy Communion. There is a three month preparation time. Please schedule your Quinceanera 3 months in advance. Thank you. It is also required that the family is a member of the parish.