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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

As we come to worship this weekend, our weekend celebration is not the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time rather the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Let us remember the colors worn with the appropriate season:

As you notice, none of those colors are associated with this weekend’s Feast. Our color of this weekend is red.

Red is worn to honor: The Holy Spirit.

Martyrs who died for the faith.

The blood of Jesus Christ.

Specifically red, worn to recall the blood of Jesus Christ, is worn on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14).

Our gospel passage contains one of the most famous Scripture passages in the Bible. Our passage is John 3:13-17. John 3:14-15 reads, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” In the twenty-first chapter of Numbers, we hear the story of Moses and the serpent. As the people continue their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, they grumble about the lack of food and water. Due to their complaints, the Lord sends seraph serpents which bite the people, causing many to die. Realizing their sin, they turn to Moses repentant. Moses places a serpent on a pole and anyone who looks at it is healed. The same promise is made of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died on the cross due to sin, yet, in dying on the cross, he also saved people from their sins. That is why the word gospel means “Good News.” The Good News is Jesus Christ has conquered all.

The author of this “Good News” is God the Father. In John 3:16-17, we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” God the Father recognized the power of sin.

God the Father realized the only way sin was to be overcome was through his Son.

God sent his Son into this world.

God sent his Son not to condemn the world.

The passage teaches:

God sent his Son to save the world.

Hopefully, we understand why love is the defining word of God the Father. God loves us and will do everything for us to enter his love for eternity.

The cross is a marvel to me.

The wood of the cross reminds of where sin entered the world. The tree of the forbidden fruit.

That somehow, we could be so cruel as to crucify our Savior.

The cross powers its way to heaven (the vertical beam) and across all peoples and the world (the vertical beam). As nails adhere the hands and feet of Jesus, the resurrection adheres to all of us.

From the lance thrust in his side, signifying his death, God creates. The blood and water mark the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist.

Is it any wonder that we exalt the cross today? From something so cruel, our salvation is found. Blessed be the cross of Jesus Christ!

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.“ Follow Christ with your life that you too may have eternal life.

(John 3:13-17)

A Second Collection will be taken next weekend, September 13-14 to support CNEWA and CRS in their relief efforts for GAZA. To learn more about their vital work, you can visit their websites at www.cnewa.org and www.crs.org.

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

Congratulations to Emily Bartosh, Aubrey Erickson, Lexi Haberman, Blake Holden, Avery Janssen, Nathan Madsen, and Ellie Rasche on receiving the sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, September 13th at St. Ann’s in Slayton. May God continue to bless you and guide you along the way.

Coffee & Rolls: Please join us after Mass today to honor the Confirmation students: Emily Bartosh, Aubrey Erickson, Lexi Haberman, Blake Holden, Avery Janssen, Nathan Madsen, & Ellie Rasche.

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 5th. 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.

Faith Formation: Classes will begin on Wednesday, October 1st for 7th - 12th grade students and Sunday, October 5th for K-6th grade students.

Attention All Parishes: We will have early bulletin submission next week. The bulletin deadlines for next week is tomorrow, Monday 09/15

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 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.

OCIA: (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) Do you want to learn more about the Catholic faith? Do you want to understand your faith better? Are you a baptized Catholic who has not received all the Sacraments? Would you like a lifelong encounter with Jesus? Our classes are Sundays at 6:30pm and begin on October 19th. There will be 12 sessions every two weeks. Contact Judy Green at 507-822-6497 or email secretaryfrancis2024@gmail.com for more information and to let us know you are attending. Thank you.

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.