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:

Our gospel of today moves us into the realm of the senses. I am going to share some thoughts on the five senses this week. My weakest sense is my ability to smell. Let us be clear. If a skunk decided to spray me at a range of five feet, I would have absolutely no problem smelling. It isn’t that I can’t smell. My nose always seems to be full, so it is difficult for me to smell as well as others.

When it comes to the sense of touch, I have always been fortunate to have all my fingers. I’m reminded of someone like Philip Ignaszewski who grew up in my hometown and only had three fingers on one hand. Working at the lumber yard, he lost two of his fingers while cutting wood with a saw. Somehow, he adapted and continued his work at Freeborn Lumber.

My ability to see. I had cheater glasses for a few years prior to my need for prescription glasses. This was one decision in my life where I didn’t try and “tough it out.” Rather than being told I need prescription glasses, I made the decision on my own. The decision was made easier when I was having difficulty reading the prayers and texts for the Mass.

My ability to taste. I feel sorry for people who lose their sense of taste. The condition could be diabetes, bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or someone who has suffered a stroke. I have always liked the taste of pizza, spaghetti, and chocolate. I am not a big fan of the taste of coconut.

My ability to hear. I have been fortunate that I still have relatively good hearing. It isn’t perfect but decent. I’ve mentioned previously how my older sister grew up wearing hearing aids from a very young age. Hearing aids, while helpful, are not the perfect tool. That is why she prefers to be away from crowds and around people with whom she is comfortable. Such is the genius of Jesus in today’s gospel. Moving in to the district of the Decapolis, people brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment. Did you ever notice how important our hearing is to our ability to speak? If I can’t hear what I am saying, how am I to know how I sound or words sound? Looking at a detail from my sister’s story, Jesus, knowing how difficult crowds are to someone who has a difficult time hearing, takes the deaf man away from the crowd. Touching the man’s ears and tongue, he utters “Ephphatha!” (meaning “be opened”) and both senses are brought into alignment. His ears are opened, his speech impediment removed. The consequence? He spoke plainly.

While I have been blessed with the ability to hear and speak, I must remember what I allow myself to hear is what enters my mind and what I speak is what comes from my heart. Both must be attuned with one thing – Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, yet I strive to be more aligned with Jesus each and every day.

Blessings to you! Father Peter Schuster

Vocation View: Jesus groans to the heavens, begging God for our openness. Let his prayer of “Ephphatha!’ echo in the stillness of your heart. Pray for the gift of openness for yourself, and for those you know whom God may be calling to priesthood or religious life. (Mark 7:31-37)

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

FOUND: A ring has been found in the parking lot. Please call the office to claim.

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. The postage will be paid by CCW.

Faith Formation will begin on Wednesday, October 9th for 7th-12th grade and Sunday, October 13th for K-6th grade. Please return registration to the office or Judy Stenzel.

Joy in the Journey is a Diocese of Winona-Rochester CCW Convention that will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Church of the Resurrection, Rochester, MN. There are fliers in the church with more information if interested.

Sacred Heart CCW will be hosting the Southwest Area CCW meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7 PM. All ladies of the church are invited!

The Parish Directory will be put together soon. Please reach out to Collette Diemer or Melanie Krumbach if you have a new phone number since the last directory. THANK YOU!

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 $7,150. 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.

Joseph Bartosh has started his faith filled journey into Seminary at St. Mary’s University in Winona. Let’s show him our love and support by keeping in contact at the following address:

Joseph Bartosh

Saint Mary’s University Mailbox # 734

750 Terrace Heights

Winona, MN 55987

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 is Nov 22-24, 2024 in Windom, MN. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: southmnwwme.org or contact Miki at applications@southmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229.

7 Reasons You Should Go to Eucharistic Adoration

Saint Alphhonsus Liguori proclaimed, “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” Sitting before the Eucharist in awe and wonder is something faithful Catholics have been doing for centuries.

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.