Tri-Parish Mass Intentions
Saturday (05-23)
† Sylvester & Loralie Schmitz
Sunday (05-24)
† Dick Burns & Ed Freking, Jr.
† Clara Bartosh
Tuesday (26)
† Ronald Veenker
Wednesday (27)
† Marvin Liepold
Thursday (28)
† Howard Damm
Friday (29)
† Kenneth Winker
Saturday (30)
† Edwin McGillick
Sunday (5-31)
† Karen Mathias & Marlean Horkey
† Lorraine Mathias
Know that Fr. Pratap includes all of us in his daily prayers and private Mass intentions
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2020 TRI PARISH GRADUATES!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope...” Jeremiah 29:11
Dispensation of Mass for indefinte period of time
The faithful of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester continue to be dispensed, for an indefinte period of time, from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, even while the more fundamental obligation of keeping holy the Lord's Day still remains. This dispensation will perdure until further notice, even after the celebration of Mass for the general public is resumed.
Read the decree here https://sacredheartheronlake.org/Decree‑Dispensation2‑COVID‑19.pdf
Keep up to date with the latest from the dioceses at https://www.dowr.org/alerts.html
While you are staying safe at home you can find daily gospel messages from Bishop Quinn at the Dioceses FaceBook page. If you have Facebook – go to the page for the Diocese of Winona‑Rochester and “like” the page, and these videos should show up on your Facebook newsfeed. https://www.facebook.com/DioceseWinonaRochester/videos/228448054972275/
You can find the daily readings at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Please stay home when you can and stay safe.
Contributions can be sent to Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 377, Heron Lake, MN 56137. You may also continue to support your parish through an online giving option. Giving is an act of worship. Your parish continues to need and appreciate your support.
Online parish donations: An online page has been created on a secure website so that donors can make donations online to any parish in the Winona‑Rochester Diocese. Please visit https://catholicfsmn.org/parish‑donations. Donations made on this site are for the operations of parishes. Donors can use the drop‑down menu to select the parish that they would like to support. If donors would rather call in to provide their information, they can contact Monica Herman directly at 507‑858‑1276.
Pope Francis Prayer for protection from Coronavirus
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Diocesan Pentecost Seminar - Living and Growing in the Holy Spirit
DATES: May 30th 8:30 AM-Noon & May 31st 3-5 PM
Follow up meeting- June 7th 3-4:30 PM
This online adaptation of a “Life in the Spirit” seminar will awaken the hearts of all those that participate to God’s love and transforming power. The seminar uses material from the popular series, The Wild Goose, along with praise, prayer and witness talks. Parishes and all that receive this flyer are encouraged to invite all who want to go more deeply into living a Spirit-led life. All are welcome. To learn more and to register please contact : Dcn. John Hust (diocesan liaison to Catholic Charismatic Renewal, (deaconjohn@felixagnes.org), Nancy Hust (nhust@aol.com) , or Scott Schwalbe (scttschwlb@yahoo.com) (cell 507 208-0877). **Register via e-mail or phone. Information about the seminar, along with the details on how to attend this free virtual seminar will be sent out a week before to all that are registered.
The Wild Goose with Fr. Dave Pivonka can be viewed on Formed.org if you want to view this before the seminar. All you need to do to prepare for this seminar is to come with a humble and contrite spirit and pray for the Spirit to breathe new life into our hearts.
Weekly Gospel Meditation
What does faith and religion do for us? Ultimately, they remind us of some truths we conveniently forget: we are created by a loving God, we have imperfections, we sin, we need to be forgiven, we have a mission and a purpose, it’s not just about us, and we hunger for the joy of salvation. These are human truths that are not dependent upon whether we like them. Ignoring them places us on the paths of comfort and satisfaction as we blindly pursue the busyness and superficiality of our empty lives. Instead of pursuing supernatural and lasting pleasure, we choose things that are easier and quicker to obtain: sex, drugs, travel, houses, cars, fame, popularity, self-achievement and satisfaction, physical enjoyment, and the like.
We may also find ourselves falling victim to more negative responses to what life brings us: anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, greed, and apathy. Human hearts can become so hardened to the truth that violence becomes the response of first choice. Being a Christian is hard! Yet, as Pope Francis reminds us, the Church needs to be a field hospital that has to be prepared to provide people with the remedy they need. What we need is Jesus Christ. The Church, with all of the glory of the sacraments, exists to help make Christ present and real for us. Once we find Christ, we find joy. Joy is a matter of the heart that is beyond pleasure and happiness. It is not found in some earthly satisfaction, only in Christ.
Once we accept that we are destined to be in Christ, then we will discover eternal life. Namely, “that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” It is easy to conveniently forget truth and pursue illusions immediately within our grasp, but at what price? A man celebrating 60 years of marriage remarked that it took so much effort and so many attempts to convince his wife that they were meant to be together. Even his friends told him he was foolish. He easily could have given up and pursued other interests. He chose to persevere and is so grateful that he made that choice because he now has a pearl of great price. Do we see a value in persevering in our faith regardless of the cost? If we don’t take the risk, we could lose more than we know.
Funerals and baptisms will continue, but only a small number of immediate family members are to attend. Sacramental ministry is available on an individual basis.
Mass protocols: The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect until further notice. While future guidance will be given, total attendance is not expected to exceed more than 1/3 of the capacity of the church at each Mass, when we are allowed to open.
Church Building remains closed as work continues on refinishing the stone altar floor. Please cooperate for your safety and those of the workers, by not entering the building. Work is to be completed during the first week of June
Thank You Delores Pelzel for donating the beautiful handmade quilt for the CCW’s annual Palm Sunday raffle, and to all those who bought tickets. The lucky winner of this year’s drawing is Terri Stenzel. Raffle and virtual bake sale proceeds totaled $824.
Cemetery Decorations: Please remember to remove ALL planters and decorations placed on the cemetery that obstruct mowing by Monday, June 1st. This includes all flowers and solar lights that are not attached to the head stone base.
We wish to extend sincere appreciation for your continued financial support of this parish. Your sacrifice and willingness to do so has helped us meet ongoing expenses that continue to occur. You can mail contributions to: Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 377, Heron Lake, MN. Thank you.
Out reach: Sacred Heart Church would like to reach out to anyone that is needing assistance with errands such as picking up medications or groceries. If you are feeling isolated and would like to touch base with someone by phone, we are willing to connect with you. Please call or email Sacred Heart office at 793-2357 or sacredhearthl@gmail.com. You may also contact Rhonda Ferguson at 507-468-2265 (private) or 370-2303 (cell) or email pnrhonda@gmail.com. ANYONE in our parish who is willing to assist with this ministry, please also contact us at the above numbers.
Congratulations to our 2020 graduates: Tyson Dirks, Drystan Freking, Adrian Haberman, Brandon Hinkeldey, Dylan Johanning and Rebecca Salentiny. We wish you God’s blessing, and all the best, as you pursue future goals.
Bishop Quinn's Decree: “The faithful of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester continue to be dispensed, for an indefinite period of time, from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, even while the more fundamental obligation of keeping holy the Lord’s Day still remains. This dispensation will perdure until further notice, even after the celebration of Mass for the general public is resumed.” Please see the parish website for the decree in its entirety.
Mary Joe Copeland Donations should be placed directly into the trailer, which is parked near the Windom Rectory. The trailer will be open the 1st Tuesday of the month from 5-7 pm and the 3rd Saturday of the month from 8 am to noon. PLEASE DO NOT leave items in the hall entry or the back room.
We pray for those who provide help for the abused: counselors, therapists, and advocates that they act with wisdom and compassion in their healing ministry.
Are you struggleing more than usual with anxiety, worry, loneliness, or depression at this time. Catholic Charities’ Counselors are here to help. To maintain social distancing, our therapists are using Telehealth. Please give our office a call to set up an appointment for one‑on‑one counseling or visit our website: https://www.ccsomn.org.
Office locations & phone numbers
Mankato 507‑387‑5586
Worthington 507‑376‑9757
Christ’s Love Compels Us: a discernment retreat for those who want to share God’s goodness. (Held Sept 11-13 at Shalom Hill Farm). Do you feel a nudge (or burning fire) to share what God has done for you with others? But perhaps you don’t know how, or need encouragement? Come to this retreat! Song, holy silence, spiritual talks, discussion. For more information and registration visit: https:// www.dowr.org/offices/missionary-discipleship/retreats.html
As of this month, our weekly televised Diocese Mass is now being aired Sunday mornings on WFTC Minneapolis/St. Paul - the #15 market in the nation! The fruit of many months of renegotiations and maneuvering within our various markets, the addition of the Twin Cities DMA nearly triples our potential audience, and completes the process of providing broadcast access to all of the faithful residing within the DOW-R. Specifically, this move now allows us to fully serve viewers in Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Steele, Wabasha and Waseca counties, not to mention the greater part of Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin. Deo gratias!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TRI PARISH VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Congratulations to all of 2020 Tri Parish graduates! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope...” Jeremiah 29:11
Weekly Gospel Meditation
When earthly lives end, especially when the person is younger, we tend to focus upon and consider what was lost. We think of lost opportunities ‑ things they won’t be able to see, babies they won’t be able to cradle, and adventures that now must go undiscovered. Our minds create this chasm between earth and heaven that sees the losses of this life as permanent ones, never possible to achieve again. This perception causes many folks to remain stuck in their grief as they ponder all of the missed opportunities and regrets.
This is not resurrection thinking. All of the love that we can give and receive, the joy and elation that can be experienced, the adventures that can be undertaken, and the possibilities to be discovered are all part of a continuous journey. They are not ends in and of themselves but are all part of the unfolding of a relationship we have with God, who not only makes all of these wonderful things possible now but sustains them and fulfills them into eternity. The perception and experience of loss is really an illusion, because in God’s eternal kingdom and in God’s time, nothing is ever lost. Even the most intimate and tender of moments we can conceive of sharing with another human being are only part of a journey toward perfect intimate and tender moments to be shared with God in our resurrected life. We become like God and see God as He is in eternity. What greater joy, love, and hope can ever be discovered as we walk down our often dimly lit paths in this world.
This is an awesome wonder and magnificent news to behold. Call to mind someone you have lost in death. How do you see them now? How do you see yourself in heaven? Remind yourself, again, that God is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Our happiness is not going to be fully realized in this world, and there is nothing we can find here that cannot be found one hundred fold in eternity. It’s all about relationship, and not solely about the relationships we have with each other, ourselves, and the world in which we live. It’s about our relationship with God. If we realize how special that one relationship really is, then there is only one particular of heaven and life eternal that really matters: namely, that we fall into love eternal and discover truth. For when we finally close our eyes in death, then all will be well as long as we are with God. There are no losses, only gains.
The parish office is closed until further notice, but you may leave a message for Carmen at office or home and she will return your call. Please update your email address with the office by emailing sacredhearthl@gmail.com or call the office at 793‑2357 and leave a message. Thank you.
Update: ALL Masses in our Diocese continue to be suspended until May 18th. Father will offer his daily private Mass for the intentions of our parishioners. Beginning April 27th, the church will be closed/locked as refinishing and repair of the stone altar floor takes place. This work will take approximately 2-3 weeks. For your safety and those of the workers, please cooperate.
We ask that you continue with your financial support of the parish, as you are able. Expenses still occur and must be paid. Mail your contribution envelopes to Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 377, Heron Lake, MN 56137. You may also use the online option at https://catholiccfsmn.org/parish‑donations. Thank you.
Funerals and baptisms will continue, but only a small number of immediate family members are to attend. Sacramental ministry is available on an individual basis.
Out reach: Sacred Heart Church would like to reach out to anyone that is needing assistance with errands such as picking up medications or groceries. If you are feeling isolated and would like to touch base with someone by phone, we are willing to connect with you. Please call or email Sacred Heart office at 793-2357 or sacredhearthl@gmail.com. You may also contact Rhonda Ferguson at 507-468-2265(private) 370-2303 (cell) or email pnrhonda@gmail.com. ANYONE in our parish who is willing to assist with this ministry, please also contact us at the above numbers
REMINDER: The HL-O Communiity Food Shelf is open the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of each month, from 2:00‑4:00 PM for those who need food assistance.
The anniversary celebration of Sacred Heart of Heron Lake will be held in Aug, 2021. If interested in participating in the planning phase of this celebration contact Carmen at 793‑2357 or email sacredhearthl@gmail.com.
Mary Joe Copeland donations should be placed directly into the trailer, which is parked near the Windom Rectory. THE TRAILER WILL BE OPEN THE 1ST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 5‑7 PM AND THE 3RD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 8 AM TO NOON. PLEASE ‑ DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS IN THE HALL ENTRY OR THE BACK ROOM. We apologize to everyone who brought items for the Mary Jo Copeland trailer this past Tuesday. We were not aware that the trailer wouldn’t be available. In the future, we will make sure that it is here as scheduled. Thank you for all of the donations! If you have any questions, please call the office 5(07‑831‑1985 or you may call my home # 507‑831‑4528). –Pat
We pray for families who are the first to show God’s love, that they may have the necessary support to provide safe and nurturing environments for children and young people.
Are you struggleing more than usual with anxiety, worry, loneliness, or depression at this time. Catholic Charities’ Counselors are here to help. To maintain social distancing, our therapists are using Telehealth. Please give our office a call to set up an appointment for one‑on‑one counseling or visit our website: https://www.ccsomn.org.
Office locations & phone numbers
Mankato 507‑387‑5586
Worthington 507‑376‑9757
Online parish donations: An online page has been created on a secure website so that donors can make donations online to any parish in the Winona‑Rochester Diocese. Please visit https://catholicfsmn.org/parish-donations. Donations made on this site are for the operations of parishes. Donors can use the drop‑down menu to select the parish that they would like to support. If donors would rather call in to provide their information, they can contact Monica Herman directly at 507‑858‑1276. The Diocese will send parishes a check monthly, as well as a list of their donors. As Catholics, we have a strong history of coming together and supporting each other during times of crisis.
Several organizations in Worthington are currently working together to deliver food to people who are quarantined with COVID‑19 and also stocking non-perishable items at an outdoor pantry at St. Mary’s Church and sending home supplemental food with people who are picking up school lunches, in an effort to help those who are struggling with food needs during this terrible outbreak in Worthington. If you can help with financial assistance here are two organizations you can donate to:
Sharing Seeds c/o First Lutheran Church, 1200 4th Ave., Worthington, MN 56187 (Make checks payable to First Lutheran Church with “Sharing Seeds” written in the memo line)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic, PO Box 731, Worthington, MN 56187 (The clinic is helping with food distribution, health care needs, and collecting masks for their clients. Donations or masks can be mailed to this address)
For any donation please designate that it is for the COVID‑19 outbreak response.
Christ’s Love Compels Us: a discernment retreat for those who want to share God’s goodness. (East: July 31‑Aug 2 at IHM Seminary, and West: Sept 11‑13 at Shalom Hill Farm). Do you feel a nudge (or burning fire) to share what God has done for you with others? But perhaps you don’t know how, or need encouragement? Come to this retreat! Song, holy silence, spiritual talks, discussion. For more information and registration visit: https://www.dowr.org/offices/missionary-discipleship/retreats.html
You are encouraged to observe the Lord’s Day by making a “spiritual communion” if you are able to watch Mass online at https://www.dowr.org/about/weekly‑mass.html or on television. The DOW‑R TV Mass broadcast schedule is below:
KEYC Channel 12 (Mankato) Sunday at 7:30 am
KEYC‑DT, Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 (Mankato) Sunday at 9:30 am
KPTH Channel 44 (Sioux City) Sunday at 8:30 am
KTTW Channel 7 (Sioux Falls) Sunday at 7:00 am
Cross
A dedicated group of men created this cross from pieces of the original kneelers from Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They are being offered to parishoners and others for a nominal donation to Sacred Heart Foundation, to continue the restoration.
We would like to offer a cross to our eldest current or past Parish members living near Heron Lake or anywhere in the world, especially if living in skilled care facilities, home bound or with health difficulties. For those with the greatest need, it will be sent free of charge to the reciepients immediate family member for the presentation to their loved ones.
Please contact us at sacredheartrestoration@gmail.com.
Church Renovation
Sacred Heart Church was built in 1920‑1921 and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. This beautiful church has provided the spiritual needs of Sacred Heart Parish for many years. As the church has been there for our needs, it is time we take care of its. We are in the process of renovating the church in preparation of its 100th year anniversary.
After 43 years the carpet on the steps to the alter has been removed, revealing Indiana Limestone. Click here to see the pictures.
Visit the SH Foundation page for information and updates on the renovation. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact the office at or call 507‑793‑2357.
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. Fr. Pratap is seeking married couples who are practicing Catholics, and have children, who would be willing to volunteer to help prepare our engaged couples for marriage. Please contact Fr. Pratap at 507-226-4536, or 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. All Baptisms will be celebrated privately until further notice.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.