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

Weekly Words From The Rock:

Question: On the solemnity of the Annunciation, I wondered about Mary’s “yes” and her choice to agree to or refuse God’s request. Did she really have a choice? She was conceived without original sin, therefore was she not predestined to be the mother of his Son? If she really had a choice, would she have been born without original sin? And what of Judas? Jesus had to be betrayed by one of his disciples to suffer and redeem the world. I believe Judas was also predestined by God to play his part in the redemption of humankind, and I believe, if I ever get to heaven, I will see him sitting with Jesus for having accepted his role.

Answer: Your examples presuppose that God, knowing beforehand what we will do, therefore forces us to do it. But this supposition is wrong. One can imagine that we mere humans may know what is going to happen before it does, but see that our knowledge does not rob the participants of freedom.

Suppose you are sitting on a hill and see below that two trains are heading toward each other on the same track. Your knowing what is about to happen does not remove the freedom of the engineers. They continue to act freely even though you know what will soon happen.

God’s knowledge is surely more sweeping. But the truth remains that we are not pre-programmed or forced to do what God knows we will do. Rather
we act freely, and God, who lives outside of time and sees the whole sweep of time at once, has merely set forth his plans in accord with his knowledge of what we will do.

Mary freely said “Yes,” and Judas freely said, “No.” God, not forcing but knowing their free choices from all eternity, set his plans in accordance with that.

As for your belief that Judas is in heaven, it may be a bit optimistic. The Church does not declare that any particular person is in hell. However, regarding Judas, Jesus said, “The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born” (Matthew 26:24).

It is hard to imagine Jesus saying of any human person who makes it to heaven that it would be better never to have been born.

The more likely biblical judgment on Judas is that he died in sin and despaired of God’s mercy on God’s terms. You are free to hope for a different outcome for him. And while the story of Judas does generate some sympathy by many today, the judgment belongs to God.

(Written by Msgr. Charles Pope, Our Sunday Visitor, April 16-22, 2017, 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: The Lord is the shepherd who calls. Pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life.

Psalm 23

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

Faith Formation: There will be NO Faith Formation on Wednesday, October 14th or Sunday, October 18th due to MEA weekend.

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.

Catholic Charities Baby Bottle Campaign will begin on October 4th, Respect Life Sunday, and go through the 31st. Your support gives local new and expectant mothers the help they need like rent, utilities and baby supplies, so they can choose life with hope and dignity. Please grab a bottle when available and please be generous. Thank you!

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.

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.

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.

Fall in love all over again by attending the October 17-18 Marriage Encounter. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Weekends are held at Mt Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington. Register at: www.marriages.org. A “perfect marriage” is simply two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other!

A young single mother called Catholic Charities for help with her utility bill. She had recently left an unhealthy relationship and was now managing all her bills on her own while raising a new baby. She received a disconnection notice and needed help to keep her utilities on. This mother met with a Catholic Charities social worker to apply for assistance. We completed a budget to help her look at income and expenses and make a plan for the future. We were able to pay her outstanding utility bill, and she was able to increase her hours at work. With her increase in income, this mother is confident that she will be able to pay her bills in the future. The funds donated through the Baby Bottle Campaign made this payment possible for this family and many others across Southern Minnesota.!

In 1948, Bishop Leo Binz, then- coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Winona, had the foresight to establish Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary as a place for men to discern and prepare for a life of priestly service to the People of God. Seven decades later, the seminary continues to carry out this vital mission of forming men to follow the call of Christ as they work to heed the Lord’s summons and give themselves over in love.

Together we can support the seminarians as they seek to discover the Lord's will for their lives.

May the Lord's blessings be yours in abundance!

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.