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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

Question: Our priest has taught us that at our particular judgment, our life – good and bad, sin, and sorrow and joy – will be reviewed. If that is so, it would seem confession does not truly remove sin. Scripture does tell us, “You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins” (Micah 7:9) and “I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Are confessed sins still with us as part of our final judgment?

Answer: To stay that God forgets our sins is a manner of speaking that is not intended literally. God is omniscient and cannot forget. To say God “remembers our sins no more” means that he no longer ascribes the guilt of them to us; thus, he has forgiven us. Forgiveness, however, does not remove all the effects of sin or all punishments due to sin. For example, if a man sinfully gambles away his paycheck and seeks forgiveness from God in confession, the money does not magically reappear, neither are his bills paid. Hence, many of the effects of his sin remain, such that he experiences his punishments of late fees and so forth. These are experienced in this world.

But what of our particular judgment? Scripture teaches a personal or particular judgment. St. Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). He also writes: “It is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So each of us shall give an account himself [to God]” (Romans 14:11-12). And the Book of Hebrews says, “It is appointed that human beings die once, and after this be judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). So there is to be some review of our life and what it has amounted to. But how such an accounting takes place is not revealed. Does our life pass before us as some imagine, or are we given a kind of infused knowledge to know in an instant our state before God? While the guilt of past sins does not accrue to us, nevertheless, our sins and our virtues are part of our story; they have affected us and others.

Rather than a kind of courtroom scene, we might find more helpful the honest image of an honest conversation or encounter with the Lord. At our particular judgment, the key question is: Do we desire the kingdom of heaven on its terms and with its values or not? But even for those who pass this first judgment, there would seem to be another judgment to make: Is the Lord’s work in us complete? Jesus said, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This is not a threat; it is a promise. The Lord is saying, “When the power of my cross and sacrifice have had their full effect in you, you will have a godly perfection.” Most of us understand that this is not fully realized in us now, and, if we were to die today, some finishing work would be needed. St. Paul wrote: “the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Hence, at the judgment seat, any lingering imperfections and sinful patterns will be consigned to purgatory. Further, it is not merely sins that afflict us, it is also hurts, sorrows and regrets. We cannot take these things to heaven. Hence, these things must also be purged.

There are two images in Scripture that point to the process of this final healing and perfecting of the promises of the Lord. There is a kind of fiery purification described by St. Paul: “the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Of the second kind of purgation of our sorrows and hurts, the Book of Revelation says that regarding the dead, Jesus “will wipe away every tear from our eyes” (Revelation 21:4).

(Written by Msgr. Charles Pope, appeared on page 15A in the March 6-12, 2022 edition of Our Sunday Visitor).

It doesn’t hurt to take a hard look at ourselves from time to time, and this should help us get started.

During a visit to a mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized. “Well,” said the Director, “we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.” “Oh, I understand,” said the visitor. “A normal person would use the bucket because it’s bigger than the spoon or the teacup.” “No,” said the Director, “A normal person would pull the bathtub plug.”

Thus, do we make life more difficult than need be? Do we make our spiritual life more difficult than need be? Keep it simple!

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: If you love me you will hold to my words and my Father will love you and will come to you. Where does God come to you?

John 14:15-21

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

Meeting: CCW will meet on Tuesday, May 12th at 7 PM in church basement.

Baccalaureate will take place on May 17th with coffee and rolls to follow.

The April Couriers are available at the entrance of the church. Please pick yours up. Thank you.

Collection Envelopes: Please let Melanie in the office know if you do not use your collection envelopes. Thanks!

Second Collection on Sunday, May 10th for Catholic Charities of Southern MN Annual Mother’s Day Appeal.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who have been a part of shaping our children and holding love for our families. May God Bless you all and hope you enjoy this beautiful day!

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.

Parochial Vicar Rev. Jordan Danielson: appointed Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Brewster, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Currie, St. Gabriel Parish in Fulda, Sacred Heart Parish in Heron Lake, St. Ann Parish in Slayton, St. Anthony Parish in Westbrook, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Windom, effective July 1, 2026.

At Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, we are guided by the belief that Christ is present in every person—particularly in those who are unseen, overlooked, or in need.

For more than 75 years, we have walked alongside families, individuals, and older adults in our communities, offering support and care in times of hardship.

From providing shelter for those experiencing homelessness to helping families stay in their homes with rent and utility assistance, from offering diapers and essential supplies to meeting critical individual needs, our work reflects Christ’s compassion in action.

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

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.