O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.
St. Gertrude the Great
Observances and Readings for the Week
Monday (12-8)
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Holy day of Obligation)
Gn 3:9-15, 20
Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Lk 1:26-38
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Holy day of Obligation)
Gn 3:9-15, 20
Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Lk 1:26-38
Tuesday (12-9)
Advent Weekday
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Is 40:1-11
Mt 18:12-14 (182)
Advent Weekday
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Is 40:1-11
Mt 18:12-14 (182)
Wednesday (12-10)
Advent Weekday
Our Lady of Loreto
Is 40:25-31
Mt 11:28-30
Advent Weekday
Our Lady of Loreto
Is 40:25-31
Mt 11:28-30
Thursday (12-11)
Advent Weekday
Saint Damasus I, Pope
Is 41:13-20
Mt 11:11-15
Advent Weekday
Saint Damasus I, Pope
Is 41:13-20
Mt 11:11-15
Friday (12-12)
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast
Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47
or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast
Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47
or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday (12-13)
Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, Memorial
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, Memorial
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Sunday (12-14)
Third Sunday of Advent
Is 35:1-6a, 10
Jas 5:7-10
Mt 11:2-11
Third Sunday of Advent
Is 35:1-6a, 10
Jas 5:7-10
Mt 11:2-11
Monday (12-15)
Advent Weekday
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a
Mt 21:23-27
Advent Weekday
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a
Mt 21:23-27
Tuesday (12-16)
Advent Weekday
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13
Mt 21:28-32
Advent Weekday
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13
Mt 21:28-32
Wednesday (12-17)
Advent Weekday
Gn 49:2, 8-10
Mt 1:1-17
Advent Weekday
Gn 49:2, 8-10
Mt 1:1-17
Thursday (12-18)
Advent Weekday
Jer 23:5-8
Mt 1:18-25
Advent Weekday
Jer 23:5-8
Mt 1:18-25
Friday (12-19)
Advent Weekday
Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a
Lk 1:5-25
Advent Weekday
Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a
Lk 1:5-25
Saturday (12-20)
Advent Weekday
Is 7:10-14
Lk 1:26-38
Advent Weekday
Is 7:10-14
Lk 1:26-38
Sunday (12-21)
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Is 7:10-14
Rom 1:1-7
Mt 1:18-24
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Is 7:10-14
Rom 1:1-7
Mt 1:18-24
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. PRATAP!!
Thursday, July 2nd
Adoration Schedule
Saturday December 13th
Sacred Heart Church Brewster
4:00-4:45
Sunday, January 4th
St Francis Xavier Church Windom
11:00-12:00
Saturday January 10th
Sacred Heart Church Brewster
4:00-4:45
Mankato Area Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation
The next session is January 31st, at St. John Vianney, Fairmont, MN.
World Wide Marriage Encounter
The next session is November 22-23, 2025 at Alexandria, MN. Contact Miki Schultz at 507-227-8229 with questions.
Weekly Words from The Rock:
How to Play the Game of Life
While I don’t know the author, giving credit where it is due, I want to share the goal of the spiritual life in terms of football.
Buddy, this is your game. When you get in there, you are the quarterback and captain of your life. The north end zone is Heaven and eternal life...that’s your goal. The soul end zone is Hell...stay out of it at all costs. The football is your immortal soul. If you carry it over the north end zone, you win. If you carry it over the south end zone, you lose for all eternity.
Take a look at the opposition on the offensive front. The offensive line from end to end is sin and it is mortal/deadly. At right end is pride and if you don’t watch out, he will mow you down like grass. Right tackle is envy. Right guard is sloth. Center is gluttony. Left guard is avarice/greed. Left tackle is anger/wrath. Left end is lust. The backfield is composed of three running backs – Desire of the Flesh, Desire of the Eyes, Desire of the Mind. As quarterback, calling the plays himself is the most cunning of all – the devil. It is a good outfit, and they have been playing together for a long time. They know all the tricks, aren’t afraid to deploy them, and have won a lot of games.
If you want, you can field an all-star team. The only team that has even beaten Satan and his gang, a team that has a record of all wins and no losses, is composed of the following offensive players. In the line you have seven champions – the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are wisdom, courage, understanding, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord. In the backfield, besides yourself as quarterback and captain, you have the best backs – Faith, Hope and Charity.
As for the referee, no dirty playing. The referee is Almighty God Himself, and nothing gets by Him.
You can’t win the game without the ball, and the ball is your immortal soul. If you lost it, you’re stuck. God has given it to you for your safe keeping. As captain and quarterback of the team, run the team well. Keep in condition by being faithful to your religion. Don’t forget the practice sessions every Sunday in your church. Have and use the surefire play that always works, PRAYER. Keep a trick play up your sleeve – the Beatitudes. The devil hates the Beatitudes. You’ve had a lot of previous playing experience so get out there and play ball for all it’s worth. You have only this one game. It is the Super Bowl. Everything depends upon it.
Just remember, you don’t know what quarter it is. Only God knows. You may be in the final closing minutes of your life so play to win.
One last word, there are no ties! You either win or lose. Good luck to you!
A Wise Thought
If God brings you to it, He will get you through it.
In happy moments, praise God.
In difficult moments, seek God.
In quiet moments, worship God.
In painful moments, trust God.
In every moment, thank God.
Electric Motors
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: Be patient until the Lord comes. Be patient and listen; ask the Lord what he wants of you.
James 5:7-10
Your donation makes a difference for nearly 25,000 religious senior men and women. Religious men and women have spent their lives serving others usually for little or no pay. Donations run Dec. 13 & 14 through January 2026.
There will be Confession available 1/2 hour before mass on Sundays.
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.
Diocese of Winona-Rochester Prayer for Vocations
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.
The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is excited to send, for a second time, a group of religious and laity from our diocese to experience and participate in the Walk to Mary from May1-3, 2026!
The Walk to Mary is an annual, twenty-two-mile pilgrimage walk in Wisconsin. The pilgrimage begins at the National Shrine of St. Joseph located in St. Norbert College and ends at the only Church-approved Marian apparition site in the United States of America, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. In 1859, Mary appeared to Adele Brise in Champion, Wisconsin instructing her to teach the Catholic faith to the children of the land. On this pilgrimage, pilgrims not only remember this beautifully simple Marian apparition, but they also journey spiritually with Joseph and Mary to witness their love and fidelity to Jesus Christ. People of diverse ages, races, and nationalities all come together to participate in this sacred experience. Information will be posted on bulletin boards at entries, you can register by visiting here: https://www.dowr.org/ event-details/3789 or call (507)516-6945. Early deadline is January 1st, 2026.
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 remember to check the back page of the bulletin and support our sponsors!
Facebook Page
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.
New Parishioners
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.
Marriage Preparation
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.
Baptism Preparation
Contact the parish office a month in advance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation still available by appointment for each Parish.
Quinceanera Preparation
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.