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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

We have all encountered a prominent place or building in our lives. I would like to share with you one such place. While assigned in Rochester, I was allowed to hunt in a goose pit outside the city limits of Rochester. I spent many days in this particular goose pit. Here are some of the things I remember:

If you are scratching your head, what made a goose pit unique was that it was built into the ground. Its “roof” was marked by ground level, everything else being underground. At “floor” level, which was approximately five feet below ground, it was amazing what continued its work even if it was cold outside (see above). Standing on the “floor”, all that showed of the person above ground was your head. When geese came, you hunkered down into the pit and hoped the geese would decoy.

November 9th, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, celebrates a prominent place in the life of the Catholic Church. St. John Lateran is located in Rome and considered the “mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.” It is the cathedra (or chair) of the bishop of Rome (Pope Leo). It is impressive. The Lateran’s towering façade is crowned with 15 colossal statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, and 12 doctors of the Church. 
We celebrate this feast to remember the historical and spiritual significance of St. John Lateran. It represents our unity as Church and our unity with the Holy Father. Let us pray for the unity of the Church throughout the world and the unfailing leadership of Pope Leo XIV.

I came across a thought-provoking analogy and while I am uncertain of its source believe it worth sharing. It reads: I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cellphones.

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cellphone, we don’t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus paid the bill!

How does this sound? Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

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: Let us pray that the Word of the Lord will make progress. Let us pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5)

The Military Service is to ensure that service members, Veterans, and their families be able ; to benefit from consultation with a priest, and to receive the sacrament of penance as they defend our rights of freedom, speech, and face constant transition and uncertainty.

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

The Baby Bottle Campaign is coming to an end. Please return your filled baby bottles to the church ASAP and thank you to all who have donated so far. Donations designated for the campaign are used for rent, etc. for new mothers.

CCW Meeting: There will be a CCW meeting on Tuesday, November 11th at 7PM in the church basement. Hope to see you there!

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.

I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all who assisted and came to the fundraiser luncheon this past month, hosted at our parish. It was such a blessing to have been able to come and visit with you all! The generous donation of money has helped me a lot in covering the expenses of seminary formation as well as college tuition, and I am so grateful for all of your continued prayers and support as well! I always like to say that prayer is the greatest gift we can give to others, and I know it to be true.
This year at seminary has certainly been different and has stretched me in lots of new ways. I have officially begun my studies in philosophy, focusing on the ancient philosophers as well as St. Augustine and The Confessions. I am also taking Old Testament, with a special emphasis on the historical critical method of interpreting the texts, which I do find interesting. Additionally, this year has opened up for me another opportunity in ministry as I get to help out at Winona State University’s Catholic Newman Center. Each week I get to meet with campus students as we discuss our faith and participate in various activities. It has been a great way to connect with other college students and give/receive the love of Christ with others!
While there is so much more I desire to say to you all, I will keep this note short. Please know of my prayers to you all, and please keep praying for me!

Peace in Christ,
Joseph Bartosh

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.

We invite woman if all ages to dive into His word as we explore how the Lord has called us to serve as friends, wives, and mothers through Proverbs 31. Today at 5pm at the Round Lake Vineyard. Cost is $40 which includes your meal. Bring your bible & girls! Pre-registration is required at stadriancluster.org. Any questions or further information call Kadence Duff at 651-308-0854

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day will be held November 22, 2025 at LaCanne’s Family Celebration of Life Center, 1000 Prospect Lane, Jackson, MN from 10 am—2 pm. Lunch will be provided. This even is for Survivors of Suicide Loss only.

Our Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual well-being is important. God wants us to blossom! Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota will be offering the Whole Hearted Program to parishioners and community members is our area, Saturday, November 15th from 9am-2pm, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lakefield. If you have any question or would like to register call Maria at 507-905-8602 email mahmed@ccsomn.org. The seminar will address how to keep faithful in the stormy seasons of life and help others address the impact of these storms? Whole Hearted is a faith-based seminar that provides basic and helpful mental health awareness for life’s painful experiences.

OCIA Class will meet November 16 at 6:30 pm in the church hall at St. Francis Xavier Church. The topic is “The Bible”.

Veterans and Active Military - The Cougars Salute You! Area Veterans and active Military personnel and their significant others are invited to Immanuel Lutheran School on Tuesday, November 11th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. for coffee and rolls in the Activity Center. Our students and staff are looking forward to greeting area Veterans and Military personnel and thanking them for their service during this casual social time. Immanuel Lutheran School Activity Center is located at 620 Bush Street. Please enter from the main doors on Bush Street.

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.

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.

Catholic Accompaniment and Reflection Experience The CARE Program is committed to connecting volunteers with fellow community members who are neighbors in need of accompaniment, as well as emotional and spiritual support when dealing with the US immigration system. Our mission is to make sure no one stands alone. The program is administered by Catholic Charities of Southern MN, housed at Kivu Immigration Law office in Worthington, and supported by the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester. We welcome volunteers of all faiths and will seek to serve all people who need accompaniment on their immigration journey. Volunteer Training: Thursday, November 6 at 5:00 pm. To register or for more information, contact Maria Stumpf-Ahmed at 507-905-8602 or email or mahmed@ccsomn.org.

Will you be part of an ambitious vision to make Minnesota pro-life again? You’re invited to come to a special presentation at one of the following locations: Pipestone, Monday, November 10, at 7 pm (Pizza Ranch, 108 Main St. W) or Mountain Lake, Tuesday, November 11, at 7 pm (Alliance Church, 809 5th Ave). Contact MCCL at 612-825-6831 with any questions. All events are free and part of MCCL’s “Every Life. Every Voice. Every Vote—Rebuilding a Pro-Life Minnesota series this fall.

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.