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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

The following sounds like my mother:

MOM taught me about OSMOSIS:

“Shut your mouth and eat your supper!”

MOM taught me about CONTORTIONISM:

“Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!”

MOM taught me about STAMINA:

“You’ll sit there until all the spinach is finished.”

MOM taught me about WEATHER:

“It looks like a tornado swept through your room.”

MOM taught me about PHYSICS PROBLEMS:

“If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?”

MOM taught me about HYPOCRISY:

“If I have told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate.”

MOM taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:

“Stop acting like your father!”

Mom taught me about ENVY:

“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do!”

And most of all...MOM taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE:

“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

Any similarities with your mother?

Here is a truth:

You have the capacity to choose what you think about. If you choose to think about past hurts, you will continue to feel bad. While it’s true you can’t change the effect past influences have had on you, you can change the effect they have on you now.

And so, keep a positive attitude and mentality. Let God heal and grow in his forgiveness and grace!

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: Anyone who does not accept the cross is not worthy of Jesus. Are we willing to embrace the cross and follow after him?

Matthew 10:37-42

Rest In Peace: Joseph “Joe” Olsem passed away on June 20, 2026 and a celebration of life was held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the Community Center in Heron Lake. A private graveside service was held for the family at Springfield Township Cemetery. May his soul rest in peace. We remember his loved ones in prayer.

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

Office Closed: The office will be closed from June 26th through July 5th. Fiscal year end is June 30th so please get any donations to Melanie by June 24th to be included in this fiscal year for the church. Please call Father Schuster if there is an emergency.

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 To Sing? 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.

As a church, we can help promote mental well-being. Our Churches can provide a safe space for people to discuss and obtain information about the importance of mental well-being and can share their thoughts and feelings. Would you like to participate in a New Catholic minis- try that follows the following core pillars: of education, accompaniment, and advocacy to walk with individuals to foster well-being and wellness and create a faith community free from the stigma and isolation often associated with the discussion of mental health and well-being. If you have questions or would like to participate in this new ministry please contact Maria Stumpf-Ahmed at Catholic Charities, mahmed@ccsomn.org or 507-905-8602.

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 Reconciliationis 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.

The cost of educating one seminarian averages $45,000 per year, totaling over $1 million annually. This financial burden can be a major obstacle for those discerning a priestly vocation.
That’s why I’m asking for your support. Your gift to the Seminarian Education Fund directly helps form future priests-men who will preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd our parishes for generations to come.

Let us not allow financial hardship to stand in the way of God’s work. With your generosity and God’s grace, we will continue to cultivate a rich harvest of vocations in southern Minnesota.
Thank you for your faith, your prayers, and our support.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Robert Barron
Bishop of Winona-Rochester

The Catholic Ministries Appeal has started and offers a unique opportunity for you to give back to the God of Love, from whom all things are given. Grow closer to Christ by doing your part to build up the Kingdom of God in southern Minnesota. You can give online at: https:// catholicfsmn.org. More information available on page 4 for all parishes.

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.