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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

In the October 17-23, 2021 edition of Our Sunday Visitor, pages 9-12, there is a special section entitled “Getting to know the Apostles.” Thus far, we have learned the story surrounding Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Andrew, Simon, Jude, Matthias (who replaced Judas Iscariot), James the Less, James the Greater, John, Philip, and Bartholomew, . Our work this week looks at Peter and Thomas. Also, although not considered one of the original 12 apostles, we will also look at Paul.

Peter – Peter denied Jesus three times on the night he was arrested, “before the cock crows twice,” just as Jesus predicted (Mark 14:30). Yet even after this grievous rejection our merciful savior forgave Peter and singled him out as the head of the Church on earth. Peter became the prince of the apostles, and through the gifts of the Holy Spirit was the first to spread the Good News to the Jews. Any place in the New Testament where the 12 original apostles are named, Peter is always listed first.

In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus initially met Peter, James, and John at the Lake of Gennesaret where they had been fishing all night but with no catch. Jesus suggested the fishermen should lower their nets again. Peter complained because of their earlier experience but eventually agreed. Suddenly they had so many fish they couldn’t bring in the nets. Peter fell to his kneels in front of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord for I am a sinful man.” Jesus told him not to be afraid, then said to the three fishermen, “’from now on you will be catching men’...they left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:8-11).

Peter demonstrated a lack of faith and even argued with Jesus on occasion. He showed little faith when he attempted to walk on the water toward Jesus; as long as his attention was on his savior, he was OK, but once he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink (cf. Matthew 14:28-33). Peter argued with Jesus when he said he would be killed by the Jews and again when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. Along with James and John, Peter fell asleep during Christ’s agony in the garden. But for all these human flaws, Jesus saw Peter as the one to lead the Church by becoming the first pope. Peter not only evangelized the Jews but was responsible for the first gentile conversion: the centurion, Cornelius (cf. Acts 10).

Thomas – St. Thomas is remembered as the one who doubted when told that Christ was resurrected and had appeared to the other apostles in the Upper Room. Thomas was not convinced until he placed his hands in Christ’s wounds. His initial unbelief is understandable because Christ had been crucified and sealed in a tomb. According to Pope St. Gregory the Great, it was not an accident that Thomas was absent when Christ appeared to the other apostles: “In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of the master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith strengthened. So, the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.”

Thomas is our witness, his eyes are our eyes and his hands are our hands; accordingly, we have no doubt – Christ lives.

Paul – While not among the original Twelve Apostles, Paul was chosen by Jesus as a “chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites” (Acts 9:15). Paul (originally called Saul) was among the most extreme Christian haters of his time. He was an onlooker and supporter at the stoning of St. Stephen, and he excelled at rounding up Christians in Jerusalem and turning them over to Jewish authorities to be persecuted.

At one point he was going to Damascus to capture additional followers of Christ. On the road between the two cities, he was confronted, blinded, and converted by Jesus, who sent him into Damascus. Here he would regain his sight and be baptized. From that point, Paul became the greatest of the evangelizers, the Apostle to the Gentiles. He established at least 14 Christian communities and preached to thousands of individuals while crisscrossing the Middle East and into Europe four different times. His letters to the communities he established fill much of the New Testament.

Do you have any electric motors that are lying around, and you would like to be rid of? Even with the passing of my father, I would be happy to take any electric motors. You can leave them by the rectory garage in Slayton, or I can pick them up at any of the parishes. Thanks!

Peace be to you!
Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Do not be afraid; have faith and trust the Lord’s call. Consider being a priest, brother or sister.

Matthew 14:22-23

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

Meeting: CCW will meet on Tuesday, August 11th at 7 PM in the church basement. All ladies are welcome to attend.

Liturgical Roles for August and September are now available to pick up.

Faith Formation Registration for the 26-27 school year is now available to pick up at church entrance. Please return registrations to Judy Stenzel or the office by September 13th. Registration $20 per child with a $50 cap per family.

Quilting Ladies would like to continue their mission, but will need the help of two people to put the quilt top, batting, and backing together before it is tied. If you are able to help please contact Dianne Freking or Melanie in the office. Thank you!

The Southwest Area Diocesan CCW is looking for a Commission Chair. A commission chair reads a report from the Diocesan newsletter at each area meeting. They are, also, looking for the position of Vice President. They would like to return to a 2 year term. If interested contact the office or Barb Hussong.

Do You Love To Sing? The Sacred Heart Choir is looking for new members to enhance the Mass with their beautiful voices. Please reach out if interested.

Phone/Address Updates: Please let Melanie know if you have any updates to addresses or phone numbers that may be out of date in the system or directory. Thank you!

Recent Changes Have taken place with the Catholic Foundation (CMA). Checks should be made payable to : Diocese of Winona-Rochester. It is very helpful if donors include CMA– Heron Lake in the memo line. The CMA appeal, as always, remains a tremendous benefit for our parishes when goals are met and overage funds are returned.

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.

Remick Ridge Estates is looking for an individual or couple who would like to lead a weekly Bible Study for our residents. We are open to dates/times. Please call Brenda at 507-831-0745.

Mikkelsen Manor invites all seniors to join us Fridays at 2:00 pm for Bingo fun with our residents! Call Brenda with any questions, 507-831-0745.

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, the church website, signs at the church, announcements or even the bulletin when able. Thank you for your understanding.

Heavenly Father, Giver of all good things, Your Son told us to beg You to send workers into Your rich harvest, and so we have the confidence to ask You to raise up an abundance of priests in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Send us good and holy men to respond to your call to lay down their lives in service to Your people. We know that the Church comes from priests. Therefore, Gracious God, send us priests to build up Your church, through Jesus who is High Priest and Lord forever and ever.

Amen.

Intinction is the practice of dipping the host into the Precious Blood (the chalice). It has come to my attention that a few people are practicing self-communicating which means the person receiving Holy Communion takes the host, carries it to the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion who is distributing the Precious Blood, and dipping the host into the chalice on their own. This practice is not allowed in the Catholic Church. The theological reason for this stems from the Church’s tradition to receive rather than take the Eucharist. Also, this practice prevents the possibility of the Precious Blood dripping onto the floor after the host has been placed in the chalice and transferred to a person’s tongue. Thus, moving forward, I would ask anyone receiving Holy Communion to receive the Precious Body and Precious Blood from the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Thanks, Father Peter Schuster.

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.