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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

I want touch on an issue which is at the center of many current debates. We hear much regarding a “transgender male” or “transgender female.” During these debates, the question arises, “Does the Catholic Church ever allow for transgender surgeries?” Let us take a closer look at the question.

Question: Does the Church allow for transgender surgery in the case of a baby born with male and female organs (hermaphroditism) or in the case of a botched circumcision?

Answer: The situations described in the question are very rare. As such, they are a bit of an anomaly or outlier, not easily covered by general bioethical norms.

A hermaphrodite is a child born with a sex that is not easily determined by looking at the genitals. At times, the child may seem to have both genitalia or parts of both. Usually a genetic analysis of their cells can indicate the true sex of the infant. In such cases as these, surgical repairs to the genitals to indicate the true sex of the infant is licit and not forbidden by the Church.

However, there are some even rarer cases where genetic analysis does not provide a clear answer as to the sex of the child. This is due to chromosomal and genetic irregularities. In such cases as these, the parents are permitted to make a difficult decision to determine the sex of the child and permit necessary surgeries to the genitals to reflect that determination. Some parents choose to wait some time to observe the child and his or her tendencies before making that decision.

Such permitted surgeries are not properly termed “transgender surgery” since they are not intending to change the sex of a person. In truth, there is no such thing as “transgender surgery.” Surgery cannot alter the true sex of a person. Transgenderism is based on a lie that one’s sex (sometimes called gender) can be changed.

Too, it is worth noting, there is not a broad spectrum of “genders.” Scripture is clear that we come in one of two sexes: “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

Even more rare are botched circumcisions. However, in this case it is not permitted to proceed with surgeries that attempt to alter the sex of the child. As noted, no amount of surgery can alter the sex of a child; a boy cannot become a girl. There are some boys and men who, for various reasons, are missing some or all of their genitals. This does not make them female. They are still male, even though some of the masculine aspects are missing or damaged.

(Written by Msgr. Charles Pope, in Our Sunday Visitor, June 11-17, 2023, page 19).

How would you define yourself? An optimist sees the best in the world, while the pessimist sees only the worst. An optimist finds the positive in the negative, and a pessimist can only find the negative in the positive.

Here is a story. An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck. Shocked by his find, he was sure none of his friends would ever believe him.

He decided to try to break the news to a friend of his, a pessimist by nature, and invited him to hunt with him and his new dog.

As they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew by. They fired and a duck fell. The dog responded and jumped into the water. The dog, however, did not sink instead walked across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than his paws wet. This continued all day long; each time a duck fell, the dog walked across the surface of the water to retrieve it.

The pessimist watched carefully, saw everything, but did not say a single word.

On the drive home the hunter asked his friend, “Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?”

“Yes, sure I did,” responded the pessimist. “Your dog can’t swim.”

So again, where do you fall, an optimist or a pessimist? Jesus is an optimist. Despite our sin, he believes in each of us!

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 two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by my Father in heaven. Pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life.

Matthew 18:15-20

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

Meetings: Pastoral & Finance Councils will meet on Wednesday, September 16th starting at 6:45 PM.

Faith Formation Registration for the 26-27 school year is now available to pick up at church entrance. Please return registrations to Judy Stenzel or the office by September 13th. Registration $20 per child with a $50 cap per family.

COF Steak Fry will be on Sunday, September 20th, 4:30 PM at Steger Hall. $5.00 for COF members and burgers are free to those who do not want steak. You NEED to reserve a steak to get a steak! Please call Kevin Leopold 507-793-2894 or Dennis Salentiny 507-360-1910 to reserve your steak.

A Box of Joy may be the only Christmas gift a child in need receives. Please help your CCW with this project by picking up a Box of Joy from the church; fill it and return it to the rectory by October 20th. 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. The postage will be paid by CCW.

Winona-Rochester Diocesan CCW will be holding a meeting at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea on Saturday, October 10th. Sign up sheets available on tables.

The Southwest Area Diocesan CCW is looking for a Commission Chair. A commission chair reads a report from the Diocesan newsletter at each area meeting. They are, also, looking for the position of Vice President. They would like to return to a 2 year term. If interested contact the office or Barb Hussong.

Phone/Address Updates: Please let Melanie know if you have any updates to addresses or phone numbers that may be out of date in the system or directory. Thank you!

Recent Changes Have taken place with the Catholic Foundation (CMA). Checks should be made payable to : Diocese of Winona-Rochester. It is very helpful if donors include CMA– Heron Lake in the memo line. The CMA appeal, as always, remains a tremendous benefit for our parishes when goals are met and overage funds are returned.

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.

Remick Ridge Estates is looking for an individual or couple who would like to lead a weekly Bible Study for our residents. We are open to dates/times. Please call Brenda at 507-831-0745.

Mikkelsen Manor invites all seniors to join us Fridays at 2:00 pm for Bingo fun with our residents! Call Brenda with any questions, 507-831-0745.

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is 5+ months of prayer, learning and reflection designed for:
Those seeking to become Catholic Those seeking the sacrament of Confirmation

Those exploring the Catholic Faith. Classes are held at St. Francis Xavier Church

Classes are Sunday evenings starting October 4th at 6:30 pm. There will be 12 sessions.

Classes will be every other week until March 21st. A Spanish option is available.

OCIA is open to all adults and serves Windom, Heron Lake and Brewster.

Registration forms, course topics and dates of classes are available at St. Francis Xavier Church

The deadline to register is September 15th, 2026.

For questions, contact Fr. Jordan Danielson 507-831-3300 or Fr. Schuster 507-304-2541.

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 conf idence 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 ser-vice to Your people. We know that the Church comes from the Eucharist and that the Eucharist 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

Catholic Charities needs 2-3 volunteers for a monthly diaper distribution on 1st Tuesdays. Sign up for one day or multiple dates! You'll greet families, help with basic paperwork, and distribute diapers and wipes. Must be able to lift 20lbs. Apply online at https://www.ccsomn.org/volunteer-2 or call 507-287-2047

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.