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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

Matthew Kelly in his book Resisting Happiness, pages 50-51, shares twenty-four things dying people wished they had done differently. Here is the list:

Matthew Kelly’s point in these lessons is that it is good and healthy to think about death from time to time. Death is inevitable and such a reality helps keep our lives in a proper balance. We are reminded of what really matters and to keep what matters at the heart of everything.

With this before us, my question to each of us is, “If I had one week to live, what would be my thoughts as I faced the inevitable - my death? Would I wish I had done anything differently or do I believe I have lived life to its fullest?” Whatever our answer, we are given only one life, and it is still before us - live it to its fullest and in holiness. And in it all, remember to keep God at the center of everything.

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: We neither live nor die as ruler of our own lives. That is a scary, but freeing, thought. What does God free us f rom? What does God free us for?

Romans 14:7-9

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

Faith Formation Registration: Please return registrations to Judy Stenzel or the office by September 13th. Registration $20 per child with a $50 cap per family.

COF Steak Fry will be on Sunday, September 20th, 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 20th. 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.

Winona-Rochester Diocesan CCW will be holding a meeting at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea on Saturday, October 10th. Sign up sheets available on tables.

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.

The Southwest Area Diocesan CCW Meeting will be held at SACRED HEART in HERON LAKE on Tuesday, October 20th at 7 PM in the church basement. All are invited to attend.

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.

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is 5+ months of prayer, learning and reflection designed for:
Those seeking to become Catholic Those seeking the sacrament of Confirmation

Those exploring the Catholic Faith. Classes are held at St. Francis Xavier Church

Classes are Sunday evenings starting October 4th at 6:30 pm. There will be 12 sessions.

Classes will be every other week until March 21st. A Spanish option is available.

OCIA is open to all adults and serves Windom, Heron Lake and Brewster.

Registration forms, course topics and dates of classes are available at St. Francis Xavier Church

The deadline to register is September 15th, 2026.

For questions, contact Fr. Jordan Danielson 507-831-3300 or Fr. Schuster 507-304-2541.

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.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dowr.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona's implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Michael Gerard, at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.
Anyone working or volunteering in a Catholic parish or school is a mandated reporter. Anyone who knowsr has reason to believe that a minor (a person under the age of 18) or vulnerable adult is or has been abused or neglected, must report all suspected abuse or neglect to proper civil authorities/law enforcement within 24 hours of the abuse or neglect becoming known to him or her and must also follow up with a written report to civil authorities within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays. Many people working or volunteering in a Catholic parish or school, including clergy, are mandated reporters under state law.

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.