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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

There is a number which caught my attention in today’s gospel and the number is three. The number three appears in the Bible 467 times. I am not going to list each of its occurrences rather some key examples.

Peculiar to the gospel of today, we also hear the number three. In Luke 13:6-9, we hear the story of an orchard owner who has a fig tree planted. Coming to search for fruit on it, he finds none. To the gardener he says, “For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?” The gardener replies, “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.” What is the thrust of the story? Patience. The undying patience of God.

Speaking of patience, I can’t help but reminisce about my brother and me. When it came to hunting, my brother and I were quite the team. My brother liked to go, go, go. One year, I recall my brother and me deer hunting. I placed my brother in some branches and stumps which had been cut and placed in a pile. It was at a creek crossing for vehicles to pass from one field to another. I stationed myself down the creek a few hundred yards. As luck would have it, I watched a buck and doe head directly for my brother. Because of where I was stationed, I couldn’t see the events which were about to unfold; thus, I attuned my sense of sound. It wasn’t long when I heard five shots ring out. Seconds later, I watched the buck and doe running full steam up a hill. I mean they were running, getting out of dodge. I couldn’t believe it. I thought for sure my brother would bag the buck. Eventually, I went down to my brother and asked what had happened. My question being, “Did the two deer get close to you?” “Yes,” he responded, “but there was a problem. I forgot to aim.”

Not to be outdone, my father came to pick us up and take us to a new location. I was firm in my decision that I was going to stay where my brother had been stationed. I stayed in that location all day. Finally, at day’s end, my brother came up to me after dad had driven him around to various locations and asked, “Did you see anything?” I responded, “No, not a thing.” His response is one I have never forgotten, “You dummy. Why did you stay here all day? We must hunt Trenton Woods. There have been deer running all over up there all day.” Sure enough, the next day we both harvested deer in Trenton Woods.

In that story, you hear a difference between the two of us. My brother never saw the need to stay in a stand for a long period of time. If he didn’t see anything, it was time to move. Me, on the other hand, had a much more patient demeanor. It worked well. My brother would drive, and I would take a posting (sitting) position. More often than not, he would be the one to harvest a deer while I would see nothing. However, for the possibility to unfold, it took both of us.

In today’s gospel, we see both demeanors at work. My brother represents the orchard owner. Putting all the money into the orchard and paying the gardener’s salary, we can see why he would say of the fig tree after three years of bearing no fruit, “Cut it down. This is enough.” I would represent the gardener with the words, “Let us be patient and give it one more year. I will give the tree special attention and if nothing happens, it can be chopped down.” Both lines of thinking are rationale. In this story, patience wins the day.

The parable represents two things:

This Lent, let us return to our God!

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: The Lord is kind and merciful, and calls us to proclaim his name. Considering a call to priesthood or religious life? (Psalm 103)

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

Mission Quilt Sewing will be on Tuesdays, at Steger Hall, weather permitting, starting at 1:30 PM. Extra hands make light work! Do you have any old drapes, mattress pads or blankets that could be used for batting? We could, also, use good used sheets or fabric for the quilt backs. Please drop these items at the Church, Steger Hall or the Rectory. Thank you!

REMINDER: If school is late or closed due to adverse weather, Wednesday Mass is also cancelled. Sunday Mass cancellation will be announced on KDOM and Worthington Radio Stations, along with being posted on Facebook.

Coffee and Rolls will be hosted by Carmen Rasche on Sunday, April 6th.

Heron Lake Fire Department is having a pancake breakfast at the Heron Lake Elementary Sunday, March 30th, so let’s show them some support!

Stations of the Cross will take place on March 26th at 7:00 PM led by the ladies of the CCW.

Chrism Mass: Sacred Heart Church in Heron Lake will be hosting the Chrism Mass this year on Monday, April 14th at 2 PM. We are looking for volunteers to help out with numerous responsibilities that day so if you are available to help please let the office know. THANK YOU!

Second Collection: Sunday, March 30th we will be taking up a second collection for Joseph Bartosh. Joseph is a member of Sacred Heart in Heron Lake and is attending Seminary. Our parish would like to show our support by having a quarterly collection for him while he is attending. Donations for Joseph are accepted at any time. Please contact Melanie in the office for more information. Thank you for helping support our very own!

On The Weekend of March 29-30, there will be a second collection for Catholic Relief Services. This collection provides funding for CRS, the USCCB Offices of International Justice and Peace, Migration and Refugee Services and Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees; relief work of the Holy Father; and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. Or give at https://support.crs.org

Pillar 1 - Eucharistic Encounter

Pillar 2 - Eucharistic Identity

Pillar 3 - Eucharistic Life

Pillar 4 - Eucharistic Mission

Respond to our Lord’s personal, loving, two-fold invitation: to remain with him in the Eucharist at Mass and in prayer and to go out with him on mission for the life of the world!

www.eucharisticrevival.org/year-of-mission

The Chrism Mass:

Sacred Heart Church in Heron Lake will be hosting the Chrism Mass this year on Monday, April 14th at 2:00 PM. Please plan to attend. All ages are welcome.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal 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. This year’s theme is “ANSWERING GOD’S CALL”

Marriage Booster Retreat at St. Catherine’s Church at 203 E Brown St, Luverne, MN 56156.

This retreat is Saturday, March 29th, 9:15 am to 4:30 pm (Following Mass). A light breakfast and lunch is included. For registration information call 507-283-8502. The cost is to be determined per couple. You can also email katiebaustian@gmail.com with questions.

The Marriage Booster Retreat is uplifting, encouraging, faith-filled, and fun!

The SYNOD. Bishop Barron asks that parishioners participate in a survey during the season of Lent prior to holding regional gathering of parish delegates and appointed members from all over the Diocese. The survey is online and accessible via The survey is online and accessible via https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIOFORJddh-VSHuuYJStNBBvQMnCL9vLdIKz9nM7WmNQtUyg/viewform?usp=header. You may also access the survey through the dowr.org webpage.

Two Representives 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.

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.