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

Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Weekly Words from The Rock:

You may find the headline a bit strange. What does a Salted Nut Roll have to do with John the Baptist? Fair enough. Let me explain. When it comes to candy bars, I have sunk my teeth into many different varieties. Here is a non-exhaustive list:

While enjoying most on the list, I am not a fan of Almond Joy and Mounds because of the coconut element; although, if presented with one, I would sink my teeth into it.

And now we turn our attention to the Salted Nut Roll. I am struck by the similarities between the Payday candy bar and Salted Nut Roll. Without the wrapper, I don’t know if I could discern the difference. However, growing up, I don’t recall seeing a Payday candy bar. Salted Nut Roll was the name of the game. If you were to ask me my favorite candy bar as a child, the Salted Nut Roll was not at the top of the heap still this story revolves around the Salted Nut Roll and Thanksgiving vacation.

I was home from college for Thanksgiving and my father had a Salted Nut Roll in his pickup. I was hungry so I quickly devoured the candy bar. What happened next was something out of a horror movie. I got sick and I mean sick. My stomach started to churn and items from my stomach came pouring out of me (I won’t use the word of what happened hoping you get the picture). I was sick all of Thanksgiving break.

Heading back to college, I cursed at that Salted Nut Roll. For years, whenever I saw a Salted Nut roll, I refused to eat one. Then it happened. It must have been 20 years later before something changed. The Salted Nut Roll didn’t look so disgusting, and I sunk my teeth into one. It tasted pretty good, and to this day, while not my first choice, I enjoy its taste.

What happened that Thanksgiving? Food poisoning? Was something already festering? Who knows.

This weekend, our gospel story centers on John the Baptist. His message to the people was to prepare the way of the Lord. How? Through the age-old practice of repentance. Advent is a time of acknowledging our sinfulness. For many people today, the practice of celebrating the Sacrament of Penance has lost its significance. The reasons?

To such thoughts, the voice of John the Baptist rains down. We prepare by looking into ourselves and acknowledging and good and the not so good. We all sin. We all need mercy, forgiveness, and grace. That comes through an encounter with God in the Sacrament of Penance.

What if it has been years since someone has celebrated the sacrament? That is the lesson of the Salted Nut Roll. Sinking my teeth into one after 20 years, I expected the worst and was presently surprised. Give the sacrament a try as you might be presently surprised. Thanks!

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Who will herald Christ in our world? Consider becoming a priest, brother, or sister.

(Matthew 3:1-12)

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.

Baby Bottle Campaign: Thanks to everyone’s generosity this year we were able to collect $1,327.56 for Catholic Charities Baby Bottle Campaign.

Youth Foresters: Youth Foresters are invited to attend an afternoon movie on Sunday, December 14th at the New Grand Theater in Worthington, MN. Please reach out to Ryan Haberman for a voucher if you can not make it or with any questions at 507-822-0250. Thank you!

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.

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.

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.