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

Due to the extremely cold temperatures, Sunday school has been canceled for Sunday, January 19th.

Please pass the word.

Weekly Words from The Rock:

If I were to ask, what is the most familiar link to the “third day” in the pages of the Bible, what would be people’s response? It is a common phrase. Here are some examples:

Most people’s response to the question I posed would be on the third day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I wouldn’t put up an argument. This weekend is the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana. How does the story begin? John 2:1 states, “On the third day there was a wedding in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there.” There it is again, the “third day.” And with the phrase, we launch into the first miracle of Jesus Christ. Over my almost thirty years as a priest, I have officiated at many weddings. I like to remind couples your most important goal in life is to get your spouse to heaven. Fail at that and you have failed at your most important work.

What strikes me about the Wedding Feast miracle is the words of Mary. She makes two statements. Let us look at each.

Sticking with the words of Mary, what does Jesus tell us? Ask a group of young children and they would list the following:

As adults, we would add:

These are only a few. Others could be added. As a priest, I have learned:

And that is where Jesus leaves us this week. In every situation we encounter during the week ahead ask, “What is Jesus telling me.” He is speaking. What we need to do is listen. Pray that we be faithful in the task.

Peace be to you!
Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: You are filled with the Spirit! What is your gift? What is your ministry? Pray for wisdom and knowledge, faith and healing power. Pray to know how God wants you to use your gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

There will be a second collection for the Church in Latin America (50%) and Catholic Communications Campaign (50%) next weekend on JANUARY 25TH-26TH. Please give as you are able. You may also give via mail:

CCC
Office of Nat. Collections USCB
PO BOX 96278 Washington, DC 20090

CLA
Office of Nat. Collections USCB
PO BOX 96278 Washington, DC 20090

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 on January 14th 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 Rectory. Thank you!

I hope this message finds you well this Christmas Season! Seminary has been an absolute blessing. This past semester has been filled with so many new and life-giving experiences and I have learned much about myself along the way. The most foundational part of seminary formation for me thus far has been the intentional life of prayer with my brother seminarians, as it is the source in growing closer to the Lord. There are many moments in seminary that can feel overwhelming, however, when I remember God’s constant presence in my own life, I am reminded that everything I work towards, and encounter is all for the greater glory of God. Our Father created each of us for a purpose, and he desires us to move forward in faith and to find that purpose. It may take time, and it may seem crazy at first, but we must be patient and move in God’s timing, not our own. This past semester I began my studies with the Old Testament, the Catechism, and Latin. The latter being the most challenging and patience-testing course for sure. However, working with my seminarian brothers and relying on the Lord, I succeeded and grew in many ways. One of the greatest gifts the seminary has brought into my life has been the brotherhood that each brother seminarian brings to the table. In a seminary of 61 other men, it is full of every type of personality, however, our differences are what bring us closer together and we certainly learn from one another! I want to thank each of you for your prayers and generosity to me on this journey of formation, God is so very good, and with him we will find peace. Please know of my continued prayers to all of you here at Sacred Heart, and please pray for me! May the Peace of Christ be with you all!

- Joseph Bartosh

Mark Your Calendars: Fun Sunday has been set for February 23rd with a snow date of March 2nd. Raffle donations can be given to Lisa Carlson and raffle tickets have been mailed. We are asking for $5 donation from each family for bingo prizes, as well.

Year-End Contribution Statements have been mailed. Thank you!

“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 the year. Consider reading about the various witness stories, encouragements, and how-tos.

Visit www.thelightisonsouthernmn.org for more information.

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 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.

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

MCCL News:

Did You Know? MCCL was founded by a small group of Minnesotans in 1968, MCCL has worked ever since to secure protection for innocent human life from conception until natural death through education, legislation, and political action. What can you do? CONTACT LEGISLATORS NOW You can help stop these extreme bills by contacting your state representative and state senator. Please do this right now! Tell your lawmakers: "Please do not vote for any upcoming pro-abortion bills. No more extremism. No more pro-abortion votes.”

MNRTL: (Minnesota Right to Life) (Correction)

Mission Statement: As a non-profit, single issue advocacy organization we will fight relentlessly to ensure that politicians in St Paul, of both parties, support REAL pro-life legislation. If not, we will work to educate and inform grassroots pro-lifers all over the state about that politician’s voting record. Our supporters are doctors, farmers, pastors, carpenters, students, housewives, and others. As a Pro-Life Minnesotan, you and I don’t have a choice, we absolutely must act to save innocent babies right now.

Editors Note: The acronym for MNRTL was corrected above. Your are encouraged to research MNRTL via MCCL.org/mrtl and https://www.mnrtl.org/about-us/ to form your own decisions to where you wish to send your prayers and support.

NRLC, The National Right to Life’s mission statement is: Protecting and defending the original masterpiece of life. See more at https://nrlc.org/about/mission/.

The MNRTL and the NRLC are not affiliated.

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.