Mass and Faith Formation have been canceled for Sunday, January 14th. St. Francis Xavier will still be having 10 a.m. Mass in Windom on Sunday.

Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Weekly Words from The Rock:

This bulletin article will encompass the next two weeks – December 22nd and December 29th. With my father’s death on November 8th, I want to share with you a reflection on my father surrounding Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us get underway.

It is humbling to lose a parent. One believes a parent will always be there until they pass away. I have been stunned, not in a bad way, at the outpouring of God’s people at my father’s death. The number of people who have stopped me to offer their condolences is beyond any number I could have conceived. A priest never realizes the people he touches until an occasion like this. People have reached out to me from my seven parishes along with numerous other parishes I have served. It has been humbling. I am grateful to everyone. I am grateful to those who have offered condolences, prayers, cards, and gifts. To those of you who have sent a gift asking that a Mass be offered, I have been faithful to your requests. It will take some time however the Masses will be offered.

I have been in discussion with my mother and sister who live at home, and it has been decided that the monetary gifts offered on behalf of my father (outside of Mass intentions) will be used to purchase a workbench for the garage at home. I enjoy tinkering around with various things however have no workbench on which to undertake this work. My mother and sister were thrilled at the idea. The bench will include a workspace six feet in length and two feet in width. It includes two drawers, the capacity to plug in power cords and USB ports, a shelf located underneath the bench and will be mobile (on wheels) so it can be moved from one location to another. Someone has kindly provided a vise which can be attached to the bench. I am still debating whether I should include a bench grinder. We will wait and see. To all who have made this possible know of my sincere gratitude.

With the loss of my father, Christmas takes on a special meaning. The story of Christmas really comes to life. Jesus Christ came to us to suffer and die for our sins. My father was a faith-filled man. He lived a simple yet deep faith. He didn’t need to read Bible passages every day. He believed in what Jesus Christ said, taught and lived. He never doubted even when times were difficult. It takes time yet as we age, we learn our parents aren’t perfect. Just like everyone who walks this earth, me included, my father wasn’t perfect; he sinned. It is for someone like my father that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. To him, Jesus’ words were, “Lowell, my father’s name, I know that you were not perfect. You have sinned. Still, if you believe in me and confess your need for me, I will bring you life.” My father knew that he was a sinner. He faithfully celebrated the Sacrament of Penance. His example was an example for me. If my father was a sinner, how dare I think differently of myself. For people to be convinced in these current times that “my sin isn’t that big a deal” is an injustice to the Christmas story. Jesus Christ did not come so we could have an excuse to decorate our homes, gather as family, or purchase gifts. Jesus Christ came because of our pain and suffering. He knew what sin had done to us.

To face sin, evil, the devil, Jesus Christ was born to a human family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph compose the Holy Family. They faced joys and hardships, the ebb and flow of living on this earth. It is different without my father being with us. I look at where he sat in his chair and he isn’t there. I look at his place at table and he isn’t there. I look at where he sat in the garage (where we will incorporate a new workbench) and he isn’t there. Life is different still it is beyond a shadow of a doubt that I believe my father is in heaven. Maybe some of that stems from the fact that a person doesn’t want to think differently or because he is my father, still I firmly believe he is with God. He lived his faith and knew the day would come when he would pass from this world. He was ready and prepared. It is now left up to the remainder of us, his family, to live that faith so that we can live with him eternally.

With the death of someone we love, time can be ruthless. We may wish it to halt but it grinds forward. There is also a good in this fact. No one desires time to halt. Our faith teaches us forward we march. We find ourselves at the end of our year 2024. To all the condolences, prayers, cards and gifts that I have received at my father’s passing and around this Christmas season, I am very grateful. Know of my prayers for all of you as I “tinker” away at my new workbench and serve you in 2025.

Blessings to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Mary set out in haste, carrying the good news of God’s great love. Wherever you go today, take God with you. (Luke 1:39-45)

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

Rosary will start at 8:15 AM on Christmas Day.

Office Closed: The office will be closed from December 25th through January 5th. Please get all end of year contributions to the office by December 23rd. Thank you.

No Faith Formation Classes: Dec. 22nd through Jan. 1st due to the holidays. Classes will resume again for the elementary on Jan. 5th and high school on Jan. 8th.

Please sign up for a liturgical role for the Solemnity of Mary Mass on New Years Day at 9:00am.

Thank You LaCanne Funeral Homes for sponsoring the Catholic Extension calendars for 2025. We greatly appreciate your generosity.

Catholic Order of Foresters will be having their annual Tom & Jerry celebration on Sunday, January 12th at 3 PM. A light lunch will be served.

Catholic Ministries Appeal: Sacred Heart's goal was $9,629. THANK YOU to all who have donated as we have now met our goal. Any money put towards the appeal over our goal will come directly back to the church so there is still time to donate before the end of the year.

Greeters: Looking for volunteers to greet parishioners as they enter for Sunday Mass. Please reach out to Melanie in the office or sign up on the sheet in the back of the church if interested! 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.

“Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter; we are all the work of your hands.” As we begin the waiting of advent, let us strive to become the work of his hands by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. THE NEXT WEEKENDS ARE FEB 14-16, 2025 IN WINDOM, MN For more information, call Miki Schultz at 507-227-8229 or visit them at southmnwwme.org. To register, visit our website: https://southmnwwme.org/applyWeekend.php?/hl=en choose Feb 14-16 Windom Shalom Hills Farm.

The Light is on Southwestern MN:

This resource continues to be available to encourage people to return to the sacrament of reconciliation throughout Advent. Consider reading about the various witness stories, encouragements, and how-tos.

Visit www.thelightisonsouthernmn.org for more information.

The Sacrament of Reconcilition is available in the tri-parish, during adoration, on the 1st Sunday of the month in Windom from 11-12 AM, also in Brewster on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 4:00-4:45 PM and in Heron Lake before Mass on Sundays at 7:30 AM and before Mass in Brewster on Saturdays at 4:30 PM. You are asked to utilize these opportunities to receive the sacrament prior to Christmas.

Gospel of Matthew: 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us”

Gospel of Mark: 1:7-8 And this is what he, - [John the Baptist] - proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Gospel of Luke: 2:10-11 “I proclaim to you good new of great joy...a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord”

Gospel Of John: 1:14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. How can we repay you, Lord, for becoming flesh and dwelling among us?

The Holy Day, Mary the Holy Mother of God Solemnity will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church Heron Lake 9:00am. January 1st, 2025

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.

You may also give online at: https://catholicfsmn.org

The Synod / Advent Bible Study:

The Synod Fathers desire that the divine word ‘be ever more fully at the heart of every ecclesial activity’ (Verbun Domini,1). The gate to Sacred Scripture should be open to all believers. Every opportunity for the study of Sacred Scripture should be made available. The Scripture should permeate homilies, catechesis and every effort to pass on the faith. In consideration of the necessity of familiarity with the word of God and for the spiritual growth of the faithful, the Synod encourages dioceses, parishes, small Christian communities to continue serious study of the Bible and Lectio Divina, the prayerful reading of the Scriptures. (taken from cf. Dei Verbum, 21-22)

Christmas letter from Lisa Kremer OFS of the Worthington Deanery

click here to view the PDF

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. Fr. Pratap is seeking married couples who are practicing Catholics, and have children, who would be willing to volunteer to help prepare our engaged couples for marriage. Please contact Fr. Pratap at 507‑226‑4536, or your parish office, if interested.

Contact the parish office a month in advance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions. All Baptisms will be celebrated during Mass.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.