SacredHeart Heron Lake
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
St. Gertrude the Great
Observances and Readings for the Week
Monday (11-24)
Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
(Thirty-Fourth or Last Week in Ordinary Time), Memorial
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
Lk 21:1-4
Tuesday (11-25)
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr
Dn 2:31-45
Lk 21:5-11
Wednesday (11-26)
Weekday
Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Lk 21:12-19 (505)
Thursday (11-27)
Thanksgiving Day
Dn 6:12-28
Lk 21:20-28
or, for Thanksgiving Day, any readings from the Mass “In Thanksgiving to God”
Friday (11-28)
Weekday
Dn 7:2-14
Lk 21:29-33
Saturday (11-29)
Weekday, BVM
Dn 7:15-27
Lk 21:34-36
YEAR A – WEEKDAYS II
Sunday (11-30)
Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Sunday of Advent
Is 2:1-5
Rom 13:11-14
Mt 24:37-44
Monday (12-1)
Advent Weekday
Is 4:2-6 (second choice)
Mt 8:5-11
Tuesday (12-2)
Advent Weekday
Is 11:1-10
Lk 10:21-24
Wednesday (12-3)
Saint Francis Xavier, Priest, Memorial
Is 25:6-10a
Mt 15:29-37
Thursday (12-4)
Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Is 26:1-6
Mt 7:21, 24-27
Friday (12-5)
Advent Weekday
Is 29:17-24
Mt 9:27-31
Saturday (12-6)
Saint Nicholas, Bishop
Is 30:19-21, 23-26
Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8
Sunday (12-7)
Second Sunday of Advent
11:1-10
Rom 15:4-9
Mt 3:1-12
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen

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

Adoration Schedule
Sunday November 30th
St Francis Xavier Church Windom
11:00-12:00
Saturday December 13th
Sacred Heart Church Brewster
4:00-4:45
Mankato Area Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation
Oct 25th Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent, MN. Go to: https://www.dowr.org/offices/life-marriage-family/marriage-preparation.html The next session is January 31st, at St. John Vianney, Fairmont, MN.
World Wide Marriage Encounter
The next session is November 22-23, 2025 at Alexandria, MN. Contact Miki Schultz at 507-227-8229 with questions.
At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.
Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season
Weekly Words from The Rock:
Transition
Do you enjoy transitions? The answer may depend upon the specificity of the transition. Some would cause a few nerves:
  • The transition to a new school for a child who has just moved.
  • A new job.
  • A new assignment for a priest.
Other transitions are more difficult:
  • Sitting at the bedside and watching someone we love die.
  • Having to deal with the empty nest as the last child heads off to serve our country or begin their college/university years. The Church finds itself in transition. Our gathering today begins the transition to Advent and a new Church year. Last week, we wrapped up Ordinary Time with the Solemnity of Christ the King. I am always struck by the kingship of Christ the King.
  • He entered Jerusalem on a donkey, not a horse (the horse being the sign of power).
  • He was crowned with a crown of thorns, not a crown dotted with jewels.
  • He dies on a cross, not placed on a throne.
  • He is stripped of his garments, not adorned with robes.
Despite all, he is our king. A kingship built upon a cross. Jesus Christ is the king of all people, places, and times by suffering and dying on the cross. Only through that act could humanity be saved.
And just like that, we come upon Advent. It is a new start, a new life. I recall a former parishioner who found joy in a new pair of socks. He enjoyed the feel of new socks surrounding his feet. I never thought much about it up to that point in my life but now I do. There is something to putting on a new pair of socks. They just feel “new.” Advent brings a new feel to our lives. For me, what comes to mind with Advent?
  • Anticipation is in the air.
  • The countdown to Christmas as we light the next candle on our Advent wreath.
  • The importance of offering the Sacrament of Penance so people can be freed from the yoke of sin.
  • The unique smell of a Christmas tree.
  • The cold and darkness which encompasses December calling to mind the cold and darkness of evil.
  • The joy of seeing families prepare and come together.
  • Gifts under Christmas trees which reminds of the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ.
  • The patience of having to await Christmas.
The above are all wonderful to their core, still we miss the mystery of Advent if our lives do not have a new feel come Christmas. Advent has at its core Jesus Christ. Trees, anticipation, expectation, and gifts all point to Jesus Christ. What is Christmas if we have all the gifts under the tree yet our hearts long and ache. Everything about the season is placed in its proper order if Jesus Christ is given his proper due. This Advent work on your relationship with Jesus Christ and notice the difference, the real peace and joy of Christmas. A blessed Advent and know of my prayers.
Electric Motors
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: Stay awake! Be ready! God needs you to make known his imminent presence.
Romans 13:11-14
There will be Confession available 1/2 hour before mass on Sundays.
Meetings: Wednesday, December 3rd, Pastoral Council will meet at 6:00 PM and Finance Council will meet at 6:45 PM. Tuesday, December 9th, CCW will hold the planning meeting for Fun Day at 6:30 PM.
Immaculate Conception of Mary Mass will be held at Sacred Heart in Heron Lake on Monday, December 8th at 5:30 PM. There is a sign up sheet in the back of church for Liturgical duties for that day.
2026 Catholic Extension Calendars are available to pick up in the back of church. Thank you to LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center for sponsoring our calendars again this year. We greatly appreciate your generosity.
Angel Tree Program: Angel Tree tags have been distributed. Let Dianne Freking know which tag you have if you haven’t already. Please have all unwrapped gifts to the rectory no later than December 14th, as the gifts will be distributed to the parents of these families on Tuesday, December 16th. Thank you.
Faith Formation: There will be no Faith Formation classes on Wednesday, November 26th or Sunday, November 30th due to Thanksgiving weekend.
Sacred Heart Brewster is taking applications for the position of Office Administrator. Job title descriptions are available. Please contact Father Schuster or Loretta Smith at 507-370-2215.
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 Want 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.
There will be No OCIA Class Monday, December 8th due to the Holy Day of Obligation: Immaculate Conception of Mary.
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.
Diocese of Winona-Rochester Prayer for Vocations
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.
Please remember to check the back page of the bulletin and support our sponsors!
Facebook Page
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.
https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartheronlake.org/
New Parishioners
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.
Marriage Preparation
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.
Baptism Preparation
Contact the parish office a month in advance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.
Quinceanera Preparation
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.