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

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Matthew 17:4-5

Weekly Words from The Rock:

The greatest adversary we face in living the human condition is Satan. Satan desires our souls to live an eternity in hell. At the end of his forty day and forty-night journey in the desert, it is the devil who tempts Jesus. Satan’s temptation faces us each Lent so let us look at a question surrounding Satan.

Question: The phrase “Non serviam” (I will not serve) has been associated with Satan and his response to God when being cast from heaven. Is this in the Bible? If not, where did this come from?

Answer: The declaration “non serviam” (I will not serve) is associated with Satan by legend: it is not in the Bible. But it is the fundamental stance of all demons who, on account of pride, will not obey, will not be “told what to do.” It is also the chief temptation that Satan made to Adam and Eve, namely, that they should not let God tell them what to do and that they should be like gods (cf. Genesis 3:1-5).

There is a tradition that a war occurred in heaven when Lucifer (Satan) rebelled at God’s plan for the Incarnation. The war was fought long before the biblical era, but its exact timeframe is not clear. It is said that a third of the angels joined Lucifer in this rebellion. St. Micheal and the good angels fought back, and Lucifer and his allies were cast out of heaven and fell to earth. They became “demons.” This is the traditional backstory most often repeated.

In the Book of Revelation, a war in heaven is mentioned that includes, some, but not all, of these details. Further, it seems the war in Revelation 12 had transhistorical qualities encompassing not only the past, but also the first century and the future. The passage describes “a woman clothed with the sun” who gives birth to a son, destined to rule the nations with an iron rod (Revelation 12:1-2,5). Clearly the son is Jesus and, historically, the woman is Mary, though some argue she is an allegory for Israel, from whom the Messiah came forth. Whatever the case, a red dragon with seven heads and ten horns (Satan) seeks to devour the child when it is born. But the son escapes and is caught up to heaven (Revelation 12:3-5). Is this a reference to the Ascension of Christ? Is all this a prophecy seen by the angels well beforehand, or is it describing the historical event of the Incarnation that had just taken place in the first century? In either case, at this point in the text from Revelation it says: “Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it” (Revelation 12:7-9).

So, is the war described in Revelation the war that took place in heaven long before the Book of Genesis and that explains the presence of Satan in the garden? It would seem so, but since Revelation 12 places everything in a murky timeframe, there are debates about this. In a way, it doesn’t matter, since the great battle is epochal, constantly at work until the last judgment. Christ has won the war, his victory is “already but not yet.” That is to say, the outcome of the war has already been determined, but not everyone across all history has taken sides yet.

Clearly the upshot of all this is that we should choose the winning team! At times, in this war zone of the fallen world, it may seem that evil triumphs and the kingdom of God is on the ropes. Yet appearances can be very deceiving. Remember, Good Friday is just as much part of the victory as the Resurrection. But the final outcome is that Satan and all those who prefer the prideful non serviam of hell will be cast down into the fiery pool, never again to deceive the nations or ensnare God’s people. The echo of the final victory hymn is heard in Revelation 12:10-12: “For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them.”

So, whatever you think is going on, this is what is really going on. We are at war, a terrible war indeed. But the victory is already ours through faith, courage and the blood of the Lamb of God. Stay faithful until death!

(Article written by Msgr. Charles Pope, Our Sunday Visitor, October 1-7, 2023, page 19).

Peace be to you!

Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: No bucket? Deep well? The gifts of the living water of the spirit are yours!

Jesus is the living water. Drink from that deep well; hear the good news of salvation.

John 4:5-42

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

Meeting: Pastoral and Finance Councils will meet on March 10th. Pastoral at 6PM and Finance at 6:45PM.

Coffee & Rolls will be hosted by Richard & Dianne Freking on March 8th. March 15th will be the annual HL Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast, so there will be NO coffee & rolls.

Stations of the Cross will take place Wednesdays at 7 pm. The 9th/10th grade Faith Formation students will lead Stations on March 11th.

Reminder: If school is late or closed due to adverse weather, Wednesday Mass is also canceled. Sunday Mass cancellation will be announced on KDOM and Worthington Radio Stations, along with being posted on Facebook.

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.

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, the church website, signs at the church, announcements or even the bulletin when able. Thank you for your understanding.

Heavenly Father, Giver of all good things, Your Son told us to beg You to send workers into Your rich harvest, and so we have the confidence to ask You to raise up an abundance of priests in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Send us good and holy men to respond to your call to lay down their lives in service to Your people. We know that the Church comes from priests. Therefore, Gracious God, send us priests to build up Your church, through Jesus who is High Priest and Lord forever and ever.

Amen

Nurses/EMTs – Camp Summit needs nurses/EMTs for our first week of camp. Week one runs July 25-30th. The nursing team ensures the safety and care of all the middle school youth, high school youth, and adult volunteers at camp. Visit our website at campsummitwinona.org to learn more about Camp Summit. If interested or would like more information, please email campsummitwinona@gmail.com

The Sign of the Cross, Explained “I claim you for Christ by the sign of his cross.” These words from the Rite of Baptism, spoken as the priest traces a cross on the infant’s forehead, perfectly communicate the significance of that simple, familiar action. In signing the cross, we claim ourselves again and again for Christ, unite ourselves with His sacrifice on Calvary, and confess his victory over death. Christians have been making the sign of the cross since ancient times, as evidenced by writings from Tertullian, Hippolytus and St. Cyprian. The ritual action is not only an important component of formal liturgies and sacramental rites, but also a daily devotional practice whereby the faithful invoke the blessing and protection of God. In the Latin rite, it is made either with a movement of the full hand from one’s forehead, breast and shoulders or with the thumb tracing the cross on the forehead, lips and breast.

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.