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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

If I asked you to name symbols which reference the Holy Spirit, what symbols would you provide? Here are some of the more common:

Today's gospel mentions none of the above. In two weeks, we will celebrate Pentecost and the story of the beginning of the Church. Wind and fire will be referenced in the Pentecost story from Acts of the Apostles; however, as we get closer to Pentecost, the Church asks us this weekend to reflect upon the Holy Spirit as "Advocate."

An advocate is one who pleads on behalf of another. There is one event I will never forget, and I would have handled it differently now, but you sometimes have to live and learn. When I was in college, I had someone knock on my dorm door. I opened and the man asked if he could enter. I allowed him to enter. He asked me if I knew "Tom" (although for the sake of this story and confidentiality his real name wasn't Tom). I responded, "Yes, I know Tom." He next asked, "Does "Tom" walk with a limp." I told him, "I have never seen him walk with a limp." The man had no more questions and left.

At this stage and thinking back on the event, I am going to formulate a guess. It is my sense that "Tom" had formulated a lawsuit and was seeking money for some "accident" which caused him to "limp." Again, it is a mere guess. I never heard from the man again; although, I later realized that I could have been called as a witness to testify on behalf of the defense. If such occurred, I would have been an advocate. Pleading on behalf of the defense, my testimony would have been that "Tom" merely claimed to have had a limp.

Had the man knocked and entered my room today, I would have asked more questions, yet I was a young college kid trying to learn my way. We learn in this story of why the Holy Spirit is sometimes symbolized as an "Advocate." As an advocate, the Holy Spirit.

Such is the story of today. The Holy Spirit will never let us down. The Spirit is with us, leading us in the way of truth. Let us seek the Spirit's intercession. May my prayer be yours too, "Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit."

A clergyman, walking down a country road, sees a young farmer struggling to right a wagon that was tipped upside down. "You look hot, my son," said the cleric. "Why don't you rest a moment, and I'll give you a hand." "No thanks," said the young man. "My father wouldn't like it." "Don't be silly," the minister said. "Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water." Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, "Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I'll give him a piece of my mind!" "Well," replied the young farmer, "He's under the wagon."

If you haven't done so, please send in your pledge for the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Any monies raised over the goal are returned to each respective parish at 100%. Also, any monies raised over the goal are not assessed by the diocese. The Catholic Ministries Appeal is a great way for us to raise funds for our parishes. Please be generous!

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Those who love me will be true to my word. My Father will love them and we will come to them. How will I respond to that love? Am I being called to priesthood or religious life? (John 14:23-29)

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

Congratulations to all the graduating Seniors, especially Joelle Brunk. May God’s grace follow you along your path.

Office Closed: The office will be closed from June 25th - July 6th. Please call Father Schuster if there is an emergency.

Cemetery Decorations: Please remember to remove ALL planters and decorations that obstruct mowing before Monday, June 2nd. This includes all flowers and solar lights that are not attached to the head stone base. Anything the cemetery caretakers have to remove, after June 3rd, will be placed by the East gate for a short time. Thank you!

Meeting: Pastoral and Finance Council will meet on Wednesday, June 18th. Pastoral begins at 6:00 PM and Finance at 6:45 PM.

Liturgy Roles: Looking to become more involved in church? Please contact Melanie if you would be interested in helping out with the rosary readings, serving, ushering, eucharist minister, lector, or contribution steward. Liturgical Roles for June/July are now available.

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! 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.

Please mark your calendars:

Sunday June 22, following the 10:00 am Mass at St. Ann, they will be holding a priest appreciation & congratulations on 30 yrs of priestly ordination for Fr. Peter Schuster. The Slayton cluster of St. Ann, St. Gabriel, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Anthony; the tri-parish of St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart, Heron Lake & Sacred Heart Brewster; and any others are all invited to come. A lunch of Bar-B-Qs, chips, cake, and beverages will be served. Please watch the bulletin for more details as the date approaches. June 22. If you are unable to make it, cards can be mailed to Father’s attention at St. Ann Church, 2747 29th St, Slayton, MN 56172.

In Acts, we see a lot of characteristics of everyday stewardship. We see the Apostles mindfully acknowledge the lack of peace that is posed by problems like false teachings. They prayerfully confront the obstacles to salvation posed by these issues. Always, always, always, their main objective is to reveal the will of God, remaining committed to the truth while helping newcomers find avenues to salvation.

So be it with us.

©LPi

Week Day Mass Schedule Change: The weekdays of May 26th through May 30th, and June 9th through June 13th; there will be no weekday Masses, in the Windom-Heron Lake-Brewster tri-parish. Our regular weekday Mass schedule will resume on the week of June 16th. See page 1 of the bulletin for the current schedule of the weekday’s Masses.

Two Representatives from each parish are needed to serve on a Synod for Evangelization & Vocations that will be taking place in Mankato Aug 21 starting at 4pm - Aug 22, full day. You MUST be available during these days/times. Limited hotel rooms are available. Please contact Dana: 507-836-8030 if you are interested in serving. Each church MUST have 2 representatives.

God our creator and sustainer, today our country brings to our memory those who have defended this nation in times of trouble.

They have sacrificed their lives to protect our shores from those who would limit our freedoms or enslave us to ways that are against your will.

Bring all those who have died in service to our country into your heavenly presence.

We humbly call down your blessing on those still serving; grant your heavenly protection to these men and women, and open your Sacred Heart to give them peace and comfort.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

©LPi

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.