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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

One of the great struggles of human nature is the sin of gossip. I would like to share an article written by Father Michael Schmitz which appeared in The Catholic Spirit on March 8, 2018, page 18, which deals with the issue of gossip.

Question: I know that you (Father Schmitz) have commented on gossip in the past, but I sometimes struggle with practical ways to determine whether I should share information. Do you have any advice?

Answer: The fact that you want to honor the truth and honor God with your words is a very good sign. We know how often the Bible admonished us to choose our words wisely. In fact, the Letter of James says, “The tongue is on fire.” The way we use our words can either provide light and comfort for someone, or they can do irreparable damage. James also says that one who does not know how to control his tongue deceives himself, and his religion is worthless (James 1:26).

But since you already know how serious this is, what are some practical tips for implementing the prudent use of language?

I came across something that referred to Socrates’ “Test of Three.” I found it to be incredibly helpful in sorting out what should be said from what ought not to be said. It was a story (most likely fictional) about an individual who wanted to share some news with Socrates about one of his people.

Before he could share the information, Socrates asked him, “Is what you have to share with me true?” The man admitted that he wasn’t sure if the information he had was accurate or not. At this, Socrates challenged him over why he would want to share information that he wasn’t certain was true. This happens to us all of the time. How many times have we heard a tidbit of information about some celebrity, politician or person in our lives, and we were more interested in sharing that piece of gossip than we are in checking out whether it was true or not? This was Socrates’ test of truth.

Next, Socrates asked him, “This information you want to share with me, is it good news? The man replied it was most definitely not something good. Again, Socrates challenged him regarding why he would be willing to share something that was not favorable when he didn’t even know if it was true. How often do we stumble into that trap? Typically, the kind of information that gets spread is the same kind of information that gets headlines or clicks on the internet. In our fallen human nature, we are often more fascinated and preoccupied with bad news than we are with good news. Yet, sharing someone else’s bad news (or sharing something negative about another person) can be a sin against charity.

Lastly, Socrates asked the man, “does what you have to share with me, useful to me?” He was asking if this kind of information (even if it was bad information) was something that Socrates himself could benefit from knowing. How quick many of us can be to simply talk and utter words rather than weigh whether or not what we have to say would actually help the person. As Scripture tells us, “Say only the good things that men need to hear, things that will really help them” (Ephesians 4:29).

These questions could be incredibly practical ways that we can learn how to prune our speech so that it does not hurt, but only helps. The “Test of Three” asks the three questions: Is this true? Is this good? Is this useful? If not, then consider it not worth sharing.

I hope the moral of this story doesn’t apply to us but here it goes.

Little Susie, a six-year-old, came home from school whining, “Mommy, I’ve got a stomachache.” “That’s because your stomach is empty,” her mother replied. “You’d feel better if you had something in it.” She gave Susie a snack and sure enough, Susie felt better right away.

That afternoon the family’s minister dropped by. While he was chatting with Susie’s mom, he mentioned he’d had a bad headache all day long. Susie perked up. “That’s because it is empty,” she said. “You’d feel better if you had something in it.”

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: God will answer the prayers of those who cry out. Ask for men and women to respond to the call to service as priests and religious.

Luke 18:1-8

The Mission Sunday Collection is a day that is celebrated in all the local Churches as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so Christians the world over will recognize their common responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the world.

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

The Baby Bottle Campaign started on October 5th for women who are choosing life for their babies. Please pick up a baby bottle at the entrances of the church and be as generous as possible. Donations designated for the campaign are used for rent etc. for new mothers.

Huge Thank You to everyone who was able to make it for the Fundraiser to help support Joseph Bartosh. Thank you to Joseph and the Bartosh family for being there to visit with everyone and help in the kitchen. Thanks, also, to Burt & Pat Bonnell, Thomas Krumbach, Rhonda Damm, Ryan Haberman family, and Sharon Leopold for helping with organizing and help in the kitchen. Thanks to the CCW for providing salads and desserts. You are all very much appreciated!

Thank You to all who participated in the “Box of Joy” campaign. Your kindness and generosity will provide much happiness for children who receive these gifts this Christmas.

The October Couriers are available at the entrance of the church. Please pick one up. Thank you.

October Census: The diocese always counts parishioners every Sunday in October for a census. Please try to attend your parish as much as possible in October so the numbers will reflect our true census. THANK YOU!

Dear God,

You are the one who finds a way in the darkness, and clears the path for those You love. Help us to trust in Your call, and to answer generously to the unknowns we face, knowing You will never leave us alone.

Amen.

©LPi

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 jmg.kofc@gmail.com for more information and to let us know you are attending. Thank you.

Financial concerns are one of the common reasons why women have abortions. This makes your financial support for pregnant women vital for encouraging the choice for life. The 19th annual Baby Bottle Campaign is raising funds across the Diocese. When everyone brings home a bottle and fills it with change, Catholic Charities can use those funds to support women who are choosing life for their baby. Financial assistance provides tangible hope as they create a plan for the future.

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, signs at the church, announcements or even the bulletin when able. Thank you for your understanding.

World Wide Marriage Encounter: The next session is November 22-23, 2025 at Alexandria, MN. Contact Miki Schultz at 507-227-8229 with questions.

Loving Father, source of all that is good, we beg you to look upon us with mercy and love. As your beloved sons and daughters, redeemed in the blood of Jesus Christ, we seek to do your will in every action of our lives.

We beg you now to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and help each member of this diocese to live out the call to holiness given to them in baptism. Please grant us many priests and consecrated persons to serve Your Church, strong and holy marriages that serve as a sign of Your self-giving love, and single men and women who are intent on living out Your plan for their lives.

Let each of us be more deeply conformed to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to live in holiness and love, keep us on the path You have marked out for us, which leads to eternal life with You. May Your grace be abundant as we rejoice in hope and confidently trust in Your Divine Providence each day. With grateful hearts, we ask this prayer through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

Volunteers Needed:

Catholic Accompaniment And Reflection Experience The CARE Program is committed to connecting volunteers with fellow community members who are neighbors in need of accompaniment, as well as emotional and spiritual support when dealing with the US immigration system. Our mission is to make sure no one stands alone. The program is administered by Catholic Charities of Southern MN, housed at Kivu Immigration Law office in Worthington, and supported by the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester. We welcome volunteers of all faiths and will seek to serve all people who need accompaniment on their immigration journey. Volunteer Training: Thursday, November 6 at 5:00 pm. To register or for more information, contact Maria Stumpf-Ahmed at 507-905-8602 or email or mahmed@ccsomn.org.

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.