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.

Weekly Words from The Rock:

There is a song by Andy Williams that is one of the most well-known of Christmas songs. It is entitled “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The song begins:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you to be of good cheer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas and Easter mark the pivotal events in the life of our Christian faith; thus, in stating, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year has a true ring to it. On a personal front, the time we currently find ourselves in is the most wonderful time of Father Schuster’s year. I base these words on the following:

What is your favorite season? I have no difficulty if someone disagrees with my assessment. Such is what makes all of us different. When it comes to faith, a change is just around the corner. Beginning in a few days, we will turn our calendar to the month of November which marks All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Our Church year will be wrapping up and our readings will focus on end-times and end-things. Before we know it, the month of December will be upon us. Questions will be answered:

To such, we will have to wait and see. One thing is for certain. The season of Advent will be upon us, and we will be preparing ourselves for the coming of our Savior. Until then, for the months of September, October, and November you will hear Father Schuster singing, “It is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Blessings to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Come and follow me. The rich young man left sad. How will we respond? (Mark 10:17-30)

There will be a 2nd Collection for World Mission Sunday next weekend, October 19-20. Please give as you are able. Thank you.

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

FOUND: A ring has been found in the parking lot. Please call the office to claim.

No Faith Formation on Wednesday, October 16th or Sunday, October 20th due to MEA break.

Please Pick Up a Baby Bottle and fill it with change, cash or check. Your dollars will help Catholic Charities to help our mothers and babies in our area. Please return your bottle by October 31, 2024.

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!

A Box of Joy may be the only Christmas gift a child in need receives. Please help your CCW with this project by picking up a Box of Joy from the church; fill it and return it to the rectory by October 20th. A list of gift item suggestions & instructions can be found next to the boxes in church entrance. The postage will be paid by CCW.

Sacred Heart CCW will be hosting the Southwest Area CCW meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7 PM. All ladies of the church are invited!

The Parish Directory will be put together soon. Please reach out to Collette Diemer or Melanie Krumbach if you have a new phone number since the last directory. THANK YOU!

Than You to Sacred Heart Parish for the gift in recognition of my 46 years of service to Sacred Heart Cemetery. God bless you all. – Donald Volk

Financial concerns are cited as one of the common reasons why women have abortions. This makes our financial support for pregnant women vital for encouraging the choice for life. The 18th annual Baby Bottle Campaign is underway in churches and schools across the Diocese where you can take home a baby bottle and fill it with spare change throughout October. It may seem that one bottle of change won’t make an impact, but putting these bottles together will help many women choose adoption or parenting rather than abortion for their unborn child and give babies the best start possible.

The Baby Bottle Campaign is a perfect project for providing individuals and families a chance to offer a real response to women choosing life over abortion.

Chloe and Jack are living paycheck to paycheck and expecting their first baby next month. They had cut out as many expenses as they could before their car broke down. The car repair cost hundreds of dollars, leaving them short for the next month’s rent. Chloe told her therapist about their financial struggle, who referred the couple to Catholic Charities for rent assistance. Catholic Charities was not only able to provide her with $500 for the next month’s rent, but will also help with diapers and wipes each month after her little one is born. *Names have been changed to protect confidentiality

Eucharistic Revival News:

Jesus said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51)

Jesus gave us the Eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist to perpetuate his loving sacrifice on the cross for us and for all until he comes again. From the beginning to our own day, the Church has been faithful to Jesus’ command to “Do this in memory of me.”

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is a private weekend away from the distractions of daily life for couples in good marriages. Give your marriage this gift! The next available weekend in Windom is February 14 -16, 2025 at Shalom Hill Farm. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: southmnwwme.org or contact Miki at applications@southmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229.

RCIA News: (now OCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, as it has been more commonly referred to, has a name change to Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, OR OCIA, per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The name change applies both to the process by which one enters the Church and the course/book that contains the ritual text and prayers for those steps.

In order to become a Catholic, individuals go through several rites with the final being at the Easter Vigil when they are welcomed into the Catholic Church.

If you are someone you know would like to know more, contact your parish office for more information.

World Mission Sunday is approaching. A special collection will take place on the weekend of October 19—20. Please give as you are able.

This Campaign by The Society for the Propagation of the Faith - A Pontifical Mission Society, enthusiastically embraces the challenge of our baptismal commitment to Jesus Christ. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is an international association coordinating assistance for Catholic missionary priests, brothers, and nuns in mission areas. It is the largest and oldest of the four Pontifical Mission Societies and was founded in 1822 by the Venerable Pauline Jaricot. Its purpose is to seek prayer and sacrifice for the world's missions.

The financial contributions for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester largely comes from: WORLD MISSION SUNDAY. Proceeds from the 2nd collection on 10/19—10/20 will raise funds to help the 1,100 dioceses throughout the world which are not able to be self-supporting, primarily in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and regions of Latin America.

This year’s theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is rooted in the Gospel of Matthew: “Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet,” reflecting the inclusive and urgent call to bring God’s love to everyone. Join us in this universal mission to spread the Gospel and invite all to experience the joy of Christ’s message!

You may also give online at: onefamilyinmission.org/wms

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dowr.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona's implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Michael Gerard, at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.

Anyone working or volunteering in a Catholic parish or school is a mandated reporter. Anyone who knows or has reason to believe that a minor (a person under the age of 18) or vulnerable adult is or has been abused or neglected, must report all suspected abuse or neglect to proper civil authorities/law enforcement within 24 hours of the abuse or neglect becoming known to him or her and must also follow up with a written report to civil authorities within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays. Many people working or volunteering in a Catholic parish or school, including clergy, are mandated reporters under state law.

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.