O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
St. Gertrude the Great
Observances and Readings for the Week
Monday (4-21)
Monday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Mt 28:8-15
Monday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Mt 28:8-15
Tuesday (4-22)
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 2:36-41
Jn 20:11-18
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 2:36-41
Jn 20:11-18
Wednesday (4-23)
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:1-10
Lk 24:13-35
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:1-10
Lk 24:13-35
Thursday (4-24)
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:11-26
Lk 24:35-48
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:11-26
Lk 24:35-48
Friday (4-25)
Friday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 4:1-12
Jn 21:1-14
Friday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 4:1-12
Jn 21:1-14
Saturday (4-26)
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 4:13-21
Mk 16:9-15
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 4:13-21
Mk 16:9-15
Sunday (4-27)
Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
Acts 5:12-16
Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Jn 20:19-31
Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
Acts 5:12-16
Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Jn 20:19-31
Monday (4-28)
Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr;
Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest
Acts 4:23-31
Jn 3:1-8
Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr;
Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest
Acts 4:23-31
Jn 3:1-8
Tuesday (4-29)
Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, Memorial Acts 4:32-37
Jn 3:7b-15
Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, Memorial Acts 4:32-37
Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday (4-30)
Saint Pius V, Pope
Acts 5:17-26
Jn 3:16-21
Saint Pius V, Pope
Acts 5:17-26
Jn 3:16-21
Thursday (5-1)
St. Joseph the Worker
Acts 5:27-33
Jn 3:31-36
or, for the optional memorial, Gn 1:26-2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-34
Mt 13:54-58
St. Joseph the Worker
Acts 5:27-33
Jn 3:31-36
or, for the optional memorial, Gn 1:26-2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-34
Mt 13:54-58
Friday (5-2)
Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Acts 5:34-42
Jn 6:1-15
Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Acts 5:34-42
Jn 6:1-15
Saturday (5-3)
Saints Philip and James, Apostles, Feast 1 Cor 15:1-8
Jn 14:6-14
Saints Philip and James, Apostles, Feast 1 Cor 15:1-8
Jn 14:6-14
Sunday (5-4)
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Rv 5:11-14
Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Rv 5:11-14
Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
An Act of Spiritual Communion
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
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. PRATAP!!
Thursday, July 2nd
Congratulations First Communicants
Wishing you joy and blessings on your First Communion. May this special day bring you closer to God and to all those who love you.
- Autumn DeWall
- Cole Holden
- Colton VandeKamp
Adoration Schedule
Sunday May 4th
St Francis Xavier Church Windom
11:00-12:00
Saturday May 10th
Sacred Heart Church Brewster
4:00-4:45
Mankato Area Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation
May 31st. St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato
To register, go to: https://www.dowr.org/offices/life-marriage-family/marriage-preparation.html
No mass or communion service for Wednesday, April 30th
Weekly Words from The Rock:
Divine Mercy
Each year, on the Sunday following Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, and each year, on the Sunday following Easter, the gospel story is the resurrection appearance of Jesus Christ to the disciples and Thomas. It is from this gospel that Thomas is given the nickname "Doubting Thomas." The disciples tell Thomas, "We have seen the Lord." Thomas "doubts" the possibility of Jesus' resurrection. There are many things I doubt.
- I doubt the Minnesota Twins will win half of their games this year (that being 81).
- I doubt the Minnesota Timberwolves will win the NBA title this year.
- I doubt the Minnesota Vikings will win the Super Bowl this year. I am even a little more pessimistic than many others. With so many new faces, it will take time to jell.
- I doubt I will get out fishing twenty-five times this year. Schedules fill quickly.
- I have duck hunted many days over my fifty-six years of living. The only species of duck I have never harvested is a bufflehead. I doubt it will happen this year.
Please note, if any of the above should occur, I would be elated. I am not a pessimist; I try to be a realist. To doubt doesn't mean I am pessimistic in nature, I just balance the odds of the probability of an event occurring, and I can be wrong. I believe St. Thomas falls into my mode of thinking. This is testified in the fourteenth chapter of John's gospel. Jesus tells his disciples not to be troubled, to have faith in him. He also explains that he is going to prepare a place for each of them in heaven, that he will return (the Second Coming), and take them to himself. In John 14:4, Jesus states, "Where [I] am going, you know the way." Thomas responds, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). This is a very good, very fair question. Jesus Christ has yet to suffer, die and rise all of which opens up the possibility of the Second Coming of Jesus. In no way does this make Thomas a pessimist, merely a realist.
And in his post-resurrection appearance to Thomas, Jesus isn't harsh to Thomas. He merely tells him to touch (hands and side) and believe. Whether Thomas places his hand in Christ's nailmarks or side is debated. The gospel of John doesn't provide clarity; however, his faith and belief are unquestioned in his response, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). It is a proclamation I hear from some in the congregation when the precious body and precious blood are held up after the consecration at Mass. People's response, "My Lord and my God," leaves no doubt in their minds that this is truly my Lord (the human dimension of Jesus) and my God (the divine dimension of Jesus).
The story of the resurrection appearance also marks another mystery of the divine Godhead. We call this "Divine Mercy Sunday." We see the mercy of God played out in Jesus and his disciples. On both occasions when Jesus appears to his disciples, the evening of the first day of the week and a week later, Jesus offers them, "Peace." I often ponder what it must have been like after all the disciples abandoned Jesus. Prior to his suffering and death, they had been bold:
- Jesus, we will suffer with you.
- Jesus, we will never abandon you.
- Jesus, we will die for you.
Such words are never brought to fruition. They leave Jesus Christ "high and dry." Jesus knows their thoughts, feelings, and deep sense of remorse; thus, he sets things right with his one word, "Peace." That one-word changes everything in that room. The room becomes electric, alive, and their lives change. Without fear, they go into the world never to lock themselves up again. The message of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed.
Such is our story. No matter where we stand or what we have done the mercy of God awaits us. Celebrate that mercy!
Catholic Ministries Appeal
If you haven't done so, please send in your pledge for the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Any monies raised over the goal are returned to each respective parish at 100%. Also, any monies raised over the goal are not assessed by the diocese. The Catholic Ministries Appeal is a great way for us to raise funds for our parishes. Please be generous!
Peace be to you!
Father Peter Schuster
Father Peter Schuster
Vocation View: Thomas believed because he saw Jesus. What will it take for you to respond to God’s call to priesthood or religious life? (John 20:19-31)
There will be Confession available 1/2 hour before mass on Sundays.
Rice Bowl: Please return Rice Bowls ASAP! Thank you!
Huge Thank You to everyone that helped with the Chrism Mass from helping in the kitchen to filling oils to handing out programs to helping get people where they needed to be. Special THANK YOU’s to Dianne Freking, Mackenzie Erickson and families for preparing the meal and organizing all the kitchen help, Thomas Krumbach for cooking the meat, Steve Hussong for organizing the oil help, and Jeff Hotzler for helping with all the aspects of the Mass.
Congratulations to Autumn DeWall, Cole Holden, and Colton VandeKamp on your First Communion today. May God hold you close on your journey of faith. Please join them for a reception after Mass.
Thank You to Dianne Freking, Mackenzie Erickson and families for all the decorating and switching of colors for our busy Easter week. We appreciate all the time and dedication you put in to making our church look beautiful.
Congratulations to Jim Becker who won the beautiful quilt made by Delores Pelzel at the COF Pancake Breakfast held on Palm Sunday.
Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota:
Mother’s Day, May 11th is the traditional Catholic Charities Campaign of Southern Minnesota in our diocese. There will be a second collection on the weekend of May 10-11.
The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people, families and communities in need, to advocate for justice in social structures and to call the entire church and all people of good will to do the same.
“Whatever you did for one of these least of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Eucharistic Rivial: The Year of Mission
It’s fine to wonder—just don’t wander. Take Thomas’ example. Stay close to the people your trust. Return to the warmth of the upper room. Be willing to recognize Jesus when he’s in front of you. Never be afraid to believe.
from (PRACTICING) CATHOLIC 04/27/2025 by Collen Jurkiewicz Dorman
Week Day Mass Schedule Change: The weekdays of April 28th through May 2nd; May 12th through May 16th; May 26th through May 30th; and June 9th through June 13th; there will be no weekday Masses, in the Windom - Heron Lake - Brewster tri-parish. Our regular weekday Mass schedule will resume on the week of June 16th. See page 1 of the bulletin for the current schedule of the week’s Masses.
The SYNOD. Bishop Barron asks that parishioners participate in a survey during the season of Lent prior to holding regional gathering of parish delegates and appointed members from all over the Diocese. The survey is online and accessible via the QR code. You may also access the survey through the dowr.org webpage.
Two Representatives from each parish are needed to serve on a Synod for Evangelization & Vocations that will be taking place in Mankato Aug 21 starting at 4pm - Aug 22, full day. You MUST be available during these days/times. Limited hotel rooms are available. Please contact Dana: 507-836-8030 if you are interested in serving. Each church MUST have 2 representatives.
Please remember to check the back page of the bulletin and support our sponsors!
Facebook Page
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.
New Parishioners
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.
Marriage Preparation
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.
Baptism Preparation
Contact the parish office a month in advance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.
Quinceanera Preparation
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.