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

Weekly Words From The Rock:

Question: Many who might otherwise accept God’s punishment of sinners are still dismayed that hell is eternal. Why should one be punished eternally for sins committed over a brief span, perhaps in just a moment? The punishment does not seem to fit the crime.

Answer: This view presumes that the eternal nature of hell is due to the punishment, but it is not. Rather, hell is eternal because repentance is no longer available after death. Our decision for or against God and the values of His kingdom becomes forever fixed. Because at this point (the point of death) the will is fixed and obstinate, the repentance that unlocks mercy will never be forthcoming.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches: “After their fall the angels could not be restored [cf. Summa I:64:2]. Therefore, neither can man after death: and thus the punishment of the damned will have no end...[So] just as the demons are obstinate in wickedness and therefore have to be punished for ever, so too are the souls of men who die without charity” (Summa Theologica, Supplement, Question 99, Article 3).

Some argue that the souls in hell regret their sin and that, in the parables, Jesus often depicts them as seeking entrance to heaven after the doors are closed. Still, it remains a teaching that, after death, repentance in the formal sense is not possible. Here, too, St. Thomas distinguishes formal repentance from incidental repentance and explains: “A person may repent of sin in two ways: in one way directly, in another way indirectly. He repents of a sin directly who hates sin as such: and he repents indirectly who hates it on account of something connected with it, for instance punishment or something of that kind. Accordingly, the wicked will not repent of their sins directly, because consent in the malice of sin will remain in them; but they will repent indirectly, inasmuch as they will suffer from the punishment inflicted on them for sin” (Summa Theologica, Supplement, Question 98, Article 2).

This explains the “wailing and grinding of teeth” in so far as it points to the lament of the damned. They do not lament their choice of sin without repenting, but for the consequences. In the parable of Lazarus, the rich man in hell laments his suffering but expresses no regret over the way he treated Lazarus. Indeed, he still sees Lazarus as a kind of errand-boy, who should fetch him water and warn his brothers. In a certain sense, the rich man cannot repent; his character is now quickened and his choices forever fixed.

Thus, sin, while repentance is still possible, is something that needs to be taken seriously!

(Written by Msgr. Charles Pope, Our Sunday Visitor. November 14-20, 2021, page 19).

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: To those who have, much will be given. Count your blessings. Give them away.

Matthew 25:14-30

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

Looking For Volunteers: This year Sacred Heart in Heron Lake will host an Immaculate Conception of Mary Mass on Tuesday, December 8th at 8:30 AM and Christmas Eve Mass on December 24th at 6:00 PM. Looking for people to fill the Liturgical Roles for both those days as scheduling for holidays is difficult. Sign up sheets for both dates are located in the back of Church. Thank you!

Angel Tree: Angel Tree tags will be available to pick up after Mass on Sunday, November 22nd. Please return gifts (unwrapped) with tags to the rectory or church before Sunday, December 13th. These gifts will help bring joy to a local family.

There will be a Second Collection for Joseph Bartosh on Sunday, November 29th.

Heron Lake-Okabena Community Cupboard (Food Shelf) is looking for volunteers to help during hours of operation. They are open the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:00-2:00 and the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:00-6:00. Please let Melanie in the office know or call 507-537-1416 to let them know you are interested. Thank you!

Catholic Extension Calendars for 2027 are available to pick up. Thank You to Lacanne Family Celebration of Life Center for sponsoring the calendars again this year. Please thank them for their generosity if you see them around.

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.

Our CMA Goak for 2026-2027 is $10,939. Thus far, $6,210 has been donated.

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

Camp Summit - Emails have been sent out to families with students in grades 5-7 and we want students to attend. We will be attending July 19th - July 22nd, 2027. Please put this on your summer calendar. If your family would like more info, contact the Faith Formation office. Cost is $350/per student.

Steubenville - Rochester 2027 is July 9th - July 11th. All students in grades 9-11 are invited to attend. Please encourage your student to attend this amazing experience in their confirmation journey. Registration starts the 18th of November.

To help families with the cost we are launching a meal every month to FUNDRAISE and defray the cost of Steubenville $525/per student. That is why your generosity on the meals has been so greatly appreciated!!

High School Youth Retreat will be January 9th & 10th, 2027. This is an overnight and there is still room. The Theme is “The Darkroom”. This is a great event, but need to know by Nov. 23rd.

Families don’t let the price tag hold you back, grab a registration or come and talk to the Faith Formation Office. These are amazing opportunities for our students.

With the holidays approaching we will have to submit bulletins earlier than normal. Please get information to your respective offices for the bulletin submitted by the following dates:

Sunday, Nov 22nd - Submit by Sunday, Nov 15th

Sunday, Nov 29th - Submit by Thursday, Nov 19th

Sunday, Dec 6th - Submit by Monday, Nov 30th

Sunday, Dec 13th - Submit by Sunday, Dec 6th

Sunday, Dec 20th - Submit by Sunday, Dec 13th

Sunday, Dec 27th - Submit by Thursday, Dec 17th

Sunday, Jan 3rd - Submit by Sunday, Dec 27th

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.