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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

In the April 2007 edition of the St. Anthony Messenger on page 54, Father Pat McCloskey takes on the following question:

Question: In Matthew 26:24, Jesus says, “The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” In John 13:27 we read, “After he [Judas Iscariot] took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’” From preachers and others, I have heard different views as to whether Judas is definitely in hell or perhaps was forgiven. Is there biblical justification for one opinion or the other?

Answer: In some ways, this might seem the easiest judgment of all to make. Judas betrayed Jesus, our savior, leading to his passion, death and resurrection. Judas obviously made a terrible decision.

Although we need to be clear about the objective content of any decision (for example, the unlawful taking of innocent human life is murder), it is another thing to say that we know all the factors relevant to that decision and can, therefore, pass God’s judgment as accurately as God can.

God’s judgment must always remain God’s judgment. We try to grow toward seeing things as God sees them, but if we cannot be sure that we see our own actions as completely as God does (and we cannot be 100-percent sure of that), then we cannot be absolutely certain that we see someone else’s actions as clearly and accurately as God sees them.

Shouldn’t it tell us something that after careful examination the Catholic Church is quite willing to say that a certain individual is definitely in heaven, yet refuses to say that someone else is certainly in hell? I am not aware that any Christian group has drawn up a formal list of individuals who are certainly in hell. Dante’s Inferno makes for interesting reading, but it does not necessarily reflect God’s judgment. Anyone’s list could be mistaken.

Although it is quite clear that some actions are very sinful, “grave matter” is one of three conditions for identifying a mortal sin. The other two are “full knowledge” and “full consent.” Only God can judge with absolute certainty the presence or absence of those two conditions.

Two things must be kept in mind: If I deny that eternal separation from God is a possibility, I would be guilty of heresy. If I claim to know absolutely that a particular individual is in hell, I would be guilty of blasphemy, of claiming as mine a knowledge that belongs to God alone. Human judgments do not give God a day off.

There is ample biblical justification for saying that what Judas did was gravely wrong. The same Bible, however, cautions us to leave God’s judgment of individuals to God.

For the good of society, we must make prudential judgments about how to handle people who murder, individuals who steal and so on. But those are human judgments and should not be assumed to reflect God’s definitive judgments.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Church prays that no person be lost. It also reminds us “that God ‘desires all men [sic] to be saved’ (1 Timothy 2:4), and that for him ‘all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26)” (#1058).

The story of Judas’s betrayal of Jesus is important for Christians to know, but they can keep growing as disciples without knowing if Judas is, in fact, in hell. We can hope that he repented even if we are not sure that he did.

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: If today you hear God’s voice harden not your hearts. Listen for the voice of God. Are you being called to be a priest or religious?

(Psalm 95)

Congratulations to Danna Flores on your Quinceañera on September 27th. May God bless you always. We thank you Lord for calling Danna to be, to live and to love you on this day forward.

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.

Faith Formation: Classes will begin today, Sunday, October 5th for K - 6th grade students.

A Box of Joy may be the only Christmas gift a child in need receives. Please fill and return it to the rectory by October 5th. A list of gift item suggestions & instructions can be found next to the boxes in church entrance. They have requested that a rosary be included in each box, which the church can provide. The postage will be paid by CCW.

Rosary Rally to pray for America to be held Saturday, October 11th at 12:00 PM (noon) at Pat's old gas station on the corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue (112 10th St.) in Heron Lake, there will be signs. Come pray the rosary with us and 22,000 other rallies across the United States. The goal of America Needs Fatima is to win the heart and soul of America for Mary by spreading Our Lady’s Fatima message and promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart. Call Pat at 507-360-6278 with any questions.v

Upcoming Fundraiser: Sunday, October 12th there will be a noon (11AM to 1 PM) meal fundraiser to help raise funds for Joseph Bartosh. There will be the option to dine in or take to go. The meal will be a pork chop, salad, desert and drink for $10. If you would like to reserve a meal(s) for the day please contact Melanie in the office at 507-793-2357.

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!

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.

Catholic Charities supports confident pregnancies and stable beginnings through financial assistance, free baby items, pregnancy counseling, parenting education, and adoption planning and placement. We need your help in meeting the needs of new and expectant parents in difficult situations. Every dollar donated through the Baby Bottle Campaign is used for rent or utilities for women who are pregnant or have a new baby at home. While applying for assistance, women learn about adoption and parenting supports in order to feel confident carrying their baby to term. Your gift offers a tangible gift of hope during a crisis. Thank you for supporting the Baby Bottle Campaign!

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.

“This Is My Body” is the theme of the Winona-Rochester Diocese Council of Catholic Women Convention Saturday, October 11, 2025. St. Adrian in Adrian, MN is hosting the convention starting at 7:45 am until ~ 3:00 pm. Save the date, more information will be coming in future bulletins.

Gratitude – Thank you to everyone who has offered prayers with the death of my mother. I am also grateful for the cards and gifts people have provided in remembrance of my mother. Please keep my mother, brother, two sisters and myself in your prayers. With sincere gratitude, Father Peter Schuster.

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.

This year’s diocesan women’s conference, “Beloved” is being held at St. Ann’s Church in Janesville, MN on November 1st. The Key note speaker is Elizabeth Loen.

Watch the bulletin or go to our Winona-Rochester Diocesan Website, (dowr.org) for information on this and additional events in the Diocese. Register at: https://www.dowr.org/event-details/3780

Come to hear Elizabeth, go to Mass with Bishop Robert Barron as Main Celebrant, and enjoy an “All Saints Day” special with guest Lisa Gray.

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.