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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

Now that we are in the depths of the summer months, I’d like to share a story. When I was in my twenties and thirties, people would stop and share these words, “Father, while you are younger, take advantage of doing the things you like. If you want to travel, take time and travel. If you want to go someplace, take time and go. Because when you retire and think I have all this time on my hands, your health can throw all your plans to the wind.”

I heard those words from different people and took them to heart. Here are some of my adventures:

Still, most of the stories I share come from my roots. The stories of growing up on the farm two miles southwest of Freeborn, Minnesota. I was never one to sit around and read a book (which I wish I had done more of) or watch television. I liked to be outside. I did some trapping in my day from stripped gophers to pocket gophers to muskrats. I enjoyed it. Today’s story comes from the realm of the pocket gopher. Pocket gophers aren’t as easy to trap as everyone thinks. You carefully set the trap, cover the hole, and believing you’ve done everything perfectly, come back the next day only to find your trap filled with dirt. That would only motivate me to try again. There was only one time I did eventually catch the pocket gopher. In the end, I did get the best of him by means I will keep to myself.

The greatest challenge came when I would find a newly established pocket gopher mound with the opening still open. Underground the pocket gopher was digging a new tunnel, and the dirt would come out via the opening. That is how a dirt mound is established. The open hole got my mind to thinking, “I am going to wait him out and get him when he tries closing the hole.” This brought with it certain items:

You never knew how long you would have to wait. One pocket gopher I waited two hours for his return. If you aren’t paying attention, things happen quickly. You don’t visually see the pocket gopher; one sees the dirt being extracted from the hole. Wait too late and the hole is closed. The greatest virtue for the hunter is patience.

The story reminds me of how patient God is with us. We sin; God waits for us. We turn away from God; God waits for us. We don’t pray; God waits for us. Patience, patience, patience. God waits for us because He loves us.

Another point: When it comes to our patience, we don’t always appreciate having to be patient, but it is like any pocket gopher, when you are waiting them out, everything is on the gopher’s time, not mine. So, it is with God. Be patient with God and let God be God.

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: Yeast which a woman kneaded...Say thanks today to that special woman who has kneaded the yeast of God’s love into your life. Pray God’s blessing on all people who bring leaven and light.

Matthew 13:24-43

Lois Rasche passed away on July 14, 2026 and her funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Sacred Heart in Heron Lake. The burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Heron Lake.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

We remember all of her loved ones in prayer.

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

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

Prayer Chain: Colleen Freking is taking over the prayer chain for Sacred Heart in Heron Lake for Maurita Volk. Please call the office or Colleen with your prayer requests. Also, if you would like to a member of the prayer chain please contact the office or Colleen. THANK YOU to Maurita Volk for your time and dedication to this mission over the years.

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

Faith Formation: Sacred Heart is seeking a teacher for the 7th/8th grade Faith Formation classes for the 2026/2027 school year. Please reach out to Judy Stenzel or Melanie in the office if interested or have questions.

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.

I would like to profoundly thank you all for your love and kindness while I was there. I especially want to thank you all for having attended the going away party and wished me well in my next chapter of life. THANK YOU ALL. Father Antony.

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.

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.