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:

The gospel of this weekend is the story of the poor widow’s contribution. We see Jesus doing so much in the pages of the Bible. He heals the ill. Forgives the sinner. Teaches the multitudes. Today finds Jesus sitting opposite the treasury and observing the crowd putting money in the treasury (Mark 12:41). It is something we wouldn’t expect of Jesus, yet the image is clear. The question I caught myself asking for the sake of this column is, “How did Jesus know that everyone expect this one poor woman gave from their surplus wealth? Did he live in this region so he knew these people personally or was this a case of Jesus being able to look into the heart?” I don’t have an exact answer. We read this passage wrong if we think Jesus is ridiculing the wealthy for giving from their surplus. That isn’t the intention of Jesus. Their generosity is appreciated. What he notes is that the poor widow gave from her “surplus” plus a little more. It is the case of what she gave went beyond the norm. We might say it hurt a bit. That is giving from one’s heart.

While on vacation, I helped my brother in the field. It is fair to ask, “How much did your brother pay you?” More on that in a moment. My brother had me doing three things.

From the vantage point of the tractor seat, what were some things I noticed?

All of this leads to the question posed earlier. How much did my brother pay me? Let us see if you can come up with the answer. Was it?

The answer? I came back no wealthier than I went home. I wasn’t paid anything and wouldn’t accept anything. It is something I do for my brother. Going back to the gospel story, this means one thing. Sorry Jesus, you would see me place nothing in the treasury because my brother didn’t provide me anything to give. Maybe next time!

Blessings to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Veronica Wolff who passed away on November 9, 2024. A funeral service was held on Saturday, November 16th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake with burial at Sacred Heart cemetery in Heron Lake.

We remember her loved ones in prayer also. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.

Vocation View: As to the exact day or hour, no one knows it. But who will claim God’s reign? Consider a life of service as a priest or a deacon. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)

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.

Parish Directories for 2024-2025 are now available to pick up in the back of church.

Greeters: Looking for volunteers to greet parishioners as they enter for Sunday Mass. Please reach out to Melanie in the office or sign up on the sheet in the back of the church if interested! THANK YOU!

Office Closed: The office will be closed from December 25th through January 5th. Please get all end of year contributions to the office by December 23rd. Thank you.

No Faith Formation: There will be no Faith Formation classes on Wednesday, November 27th or Sunday, December 1st.

THANK YOU: Let’s give a HUGE THANK YOU to SACRED HEART CHOIR.. It is such a blessing to have the dedicated choir members and organists we have. We appreciate the beautiful tone you bring to all our Masses! BIG THANKS to you all!

If You Have Not Sent In Your Donation for the Catholic Ministries Appeal, please do so. Sacred Heart's goal is $9,629. We are at $8,940. Anything over that amount comes directly to the church. You can send it in directly or drop it in the offertory basket. CMA donation envelopes are at the entrances of the Church. Please give your fair share. Thank you.

The 2nd Collection for the Campaign for Human Development is this week. Please bless this campaign by giving to it, as you are blessed. Thank you. If you miss this collection, bring it next week or you can mail it to:

Catholic Campaign for Human Development USCCB Office of National Collections

P. O. Box 96278

Washington DC 20090-6278

International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day Event, November 23, 2024, from 10:00-2:00 at LaCanne's Family Celebration of Life Center, Jackson. You are not alone; come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through shared experience. For questions or to register, contact stigmafree@dvhhs.org.

Eucharistic Revival News:

How can we repay you, Lord, for bringing us to new life?

“I am the resurrection and the life...and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

How can we repay you, Lord, for feeding us with your Body?

”Whoever ears my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” (John 6:64)

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 Feb. 14-16, 2025. Contact Miki at applications@southmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229. To register, visit our website:

https://southmnwwme.org/applyWeekend.php?/hl=en choose Feb 14-16 Windom Shalom Hills Farm.

Dueling Pianos is a fundraiser for St. Mary’s Catholic School and Little Saints Preschool on Sunday December 1st at 5:30pm with a meal served at 6:00pm. $50/tickets. Reserve yours by contacting St. Mary’s Parish Office at 507-727-2018.

On November 21st, “Give To The Max” is an event when your contribution, given to the cause of your choice, gets matched dollars when you donate through GiveMN.org. Your donation is doubled. Please remember to use this event to provide an outpouring of support for thousands of nonprofits and schools across Minnesota!

Advent Bible Study beginning on November 30th (in-person) and December 2nd (online)

There is an opportunity to be part of an online or in-person Advent Bible Study sponsored by Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. The in-person bible study is at 9:00 am on Saturdays following Mass at Good Shepherd in Jackson, MN. The online zoom bible study is on Monday nights at 7:00pm. Contact Maria Ahmed at 507-905-8602 or by email at mahmed@ccsomn.org for more information.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal offers a unique opportunity for you to give back to the God of Love, from whom all things are given. Grow closer to Christ by doing your part to build up the Kingdom of God in southern Minnesota. The Appeal funds ministries to invite more than 38,000 households each year to encounter Christ and embrace His Church. Through your support, the Catholic Ministries Appeal funds diocesan-led ministries throughout the 20 counties of southern Minnesota. Thank you for providing opportunities to thousands of people to draw closer to Christ because of your generosity. If you haven’t yet contributed, please give. Your generosity to the Catholic Ministries Appeal from year to year is so greatly appreciated! You are making a difference in our Catholic community through faith-enriching ministries that take place throughout each year. Your gift makes a direct impact in supporting these ministries that are leading people closer to Christ.

You may also give online at: https://catholicfsmn.org

St. Francis Xavier:

Goal: $ 5,822

Donated: $ 4,625

Sacred Heart Heron Lake:

Goal: $ 9,629

Donated: $ 8,940

Sacred Heart Brewster:

Goal: $ 5,822

Donated: $ 4,625

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.