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

Weekly Words From The Rock:

I will be taking vacation the following dates:

October 26-November 2

November 9-16

On this All Saint’s Day weekend, I share some of my favorite saints:

With that, let us look at a question about Catholics and saints.

Question: Protestants often criticize Catholics for praying to Mary and the saints. They say this is a violation of the First Commandment. Or, to look at the question from another perspective: If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, why not pray directly to God and avoid the intermediaries? How does the Catholic Church respond to these criticisms?

Answer: The charge of violating the First Commandment would only be the case if Catholics were worshipping Mary or the saints. But we aren’t. Part of the misunderstanding is that some Protestants equate prayer or praying with worship. But the word “pray” means first “to ask.” For example, in a legal brief, the document will often conclude: “The defendant prays the court to find in his favor.” So, to pray in its original meaning meant to ask or request, and only in recent times has it come to be equated merely with worship. When as Catholics we say, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...” we are requesting her to ask of her Son on our behalf, as she did at the wedding feast at Cana.

As for God already knowing what we need, this is certainly true. But if that be the case, then why are we instructed throughout the whole of Scripture to pray for ourselves and for others? For Jesus in the Our Father bids us to say, “Give us this day our daily bread.” But doesn’t the Father already know we need bread? Why bother asking? Did Jesus not get the memo that praying for ourselves or asking others to pray for us was pointless? But, of course, Jesus was not misled.

Some others also say, ”Why ask the saints to pray if you can just pray for yourself?” But here, too, if that be the case then why ask anyone at any time to pray for you? The point is that we can do both. We can pray for ourselves and also ask others (including the saints) to pray for us as well.

Finally, some charge that the saints are up in heaven and can’t hear us. And yet Revelation 5 describes the 24 elders as holding golden bowls, filled with the prayers of the faithful on earth. Such communication is obviously facilitated by Jesus himself. Hence, just as my right hand can work with and know of my left hand only through the head, so the saints can only hear our prayers through Christ. St. Thomas Aquinas says, “God alone of himself knows the thoughts of the heart: yet others know them, in so far as these are revealed to them, either by their vision of the Word of by any other means” (Summa Theologiae, Supplement to Part II, Question 72, Article 5)

(Written by Msgr. Charles Pope, Our Sunday Visitor, August 15-21, 2021, page 19).

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: In You, Lord, I have found my peace. Is the Lord calling me to be a peacemaker?

Psalm 131

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

Meeting: CCW will meet on November 10th at 7PM in the church basement.

Catholic Charities Baby Bottle Campaign has concluded. Thank you so much for helping support this wonderful campaign to help mothers and babies in our area.

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.

Recent Changes Havetaken 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 benef it for our parishes when goals are met and overage funds are returned.

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 Praying Family is a multi-media initiative arising from the Synod on Vocations and Evangelization and carried forward by the Diocese of Winona–Rochester’s Departments of Evangelization. In support of Bishop Barron’s two key goals-- promoting vocations and deepening evangelization—the Diocese is working to foster more praying families throughout our local Church.

The home stands as the Church’s earliest and most essential place for forming faith and inspiring vocations. When families root their daily lives in prayer, they create the environment where discipleship can flourish and where future vocations— to marriage, priesthood, consecrated life, and dedicated service—can take shape.

The Community Christmas Contata is looking for more volunteers to sing. They will meet on Sundays at 7PM at the ALC in Windom.

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.