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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

What has been your most enjoyable birthday? I can’t give an honest answer. None really stick out for me. As children, we were allowed to have friends over on one occasion for a birthday party. What comes to mind for my party?

Speaking of birthday parties, I was invited to a few of my friend’s birthdays during my primary school years. What do I recall? Much of the same I already mentioned:

It is here that I pause. I don’t remember game stations being set up at other birthday parties; although, I do recall time spent outside. At one birthday party, my classmate had a large mound of dirt. They had just built a new house, and the dirt pile was what remained from the excavation work. Somewhere near the top of the dirt pile, a 2 by 12 board approximately 12 feet long was set in place. Why was it there? I don’t know. I remember bending over one end of the 2 by 12 when one of my classmates got a brilliant idea. They jumped on the opposite end. The next thing I know is my end of the 2 by 12 is heading for my face. It hit me square in the nose. I started bleeding from the nose and that was the end of the birthday party for me. They called my mother and I went home with a sore nose. Thus, the heading of my column, “Aren’t birthdays meant to be fun?”

With his Ascension, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the story of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles and their ministry begins. Think of all that would face them in preaching the gospel:

Yet, they persevered for the Church to be what it is today. If someone asked you which day marks the birthday of the church, is it...

The correct answer is Pentecost. The Church begins with the preaching of the gospel and her mission to the ends of the earth. Unlike my story above, this birthday has a happy ending. For those who believe, eternal life is theirs. Be faithful and never fear as eternal life is the gift which awaits!

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: Realizing that all we have comes to us from the Father of Jesus—this is the first step in the journey through death to resurrection. Dare to walk the walk.

John 17:1-11

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

Baccalaureate will be celebrated today with coffee & rolls after Mass. Congratulations to our graduating seniors: Cameron Brunk, Renae Salentiny, Jonah Becker and Alex Kueny. Good Luck with your future endeavors and always keep the Lord by your side.

Collection Envelopes: Please let Melanie in the office know if you do not use your collection envelopes. Thanks!

Cemetery Decorations: Please remember to remove ALL planters and decorations that obstruct mowing before Monday, June 1st. 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 2nd, will be placed by the East gate for a short time. Thank you!

Second Collections for seminarian Joseph Bartosh will take place on Sunday, May 31st.

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.

Americas is marking its 250th birthday with planned celebrations and events, such as the National Day of Prayer and Fasting on May 17. Pope Leo XIV is urging Americans to deepen their prayer lives and renew evangelization as our country approaches its 250th Anniversary. The NCCW Spirituality Commission proposes that one way to mark our nation’s 250th would be with a “250 Pledge.” Each day, for 250 days, let us pray to the Lord for peace in our lives, our communities, our country, and our world. It is a simple, yet profoundly meaningful way to lift up our nation in prayer and turn to God with the same faith and hope as our founding fathers.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our appeal this year. Your donations stay in our diocese and help us carry out vital work—providing shelter for the homeless, caring for families, and advocating for the vulnerable. Without your support, we couldn’t fulfill our mission of answering God’s call to serve others.

If you missed the second collection, don’t worry—it’s not too late to be a part of the mission. You can still make a difference by donating online at www.ccsomn.org or mailing in your donation using the appeal mailer. Donations will continue to be accepted throughout May.

Thank you for being a part of this mission. Your kindness and generosity make it possible for us to reach those who need us most in our communities.

Weekday Mass Schedule: Regarding the weekday Mass schedule; funerals and vacations scheduled intermittently may affect weekday Masses and there may be cancellations. Please be patient as we learn of these schedule changes. We will update you as best we can via facebook, the church website, signs at the church, announcements or even the bulletin when able. Thank you for your understanding.

Heavenly Father, Giver of all good things, Your Son told us to beg You to send workers into Your rich harvest, and so we have the confidence to ask You to raise up an abundance of priests in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Send us good and holy men to respond to your call to lay down their lives in service to Your people. We know that the Church comes from priests. Therefore, Gracious God, send us priests to build up Your church, through Jesus who is High Priest and Lord forever and ever.

Amen.

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.

The cost of educating one seminarian averages $45,000 per year, totaling over $1 million annually. This financial burden can be a major obstacle for those discerning a priestly vocation.
That’s why I’m asking for your support. Your gift to the Seminarian Education Fund directly helps form future priests-men who will preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd our parishes for generations to come.

Let us not allow financial hardship to stand in the way of God’s work. With your generosity and God’s grace, we will continue to cultivate a rich harvest of vocations in southern Minnesota.
Thank you for your faith, your prayers, and our support.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Robert Barron
Bishop of Winona-Rochester

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.