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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

Happy Easter. I have many thoughts on Easter’s past. As a child, they would include:

As a priest, some memories are:

With these memories, I would like to share with you one thought which comes from the Easter gospel stories. In the gospels, three people are brought back to life. They are in order

The stories track a gradual procession. We begin in a home, move to the outskirts of town, before finally ending up in a tomb. The common characteristic in all these stories is that not a word is spoken of those brought back to life. They could have answered some profound questions about death but are silent. The reason being is the gospels are about Jesus Christ. Such is why we have few known words of Mary and none from Joseph. The gospels concern Jesus and Jesus’ salvific work.

Today that salvific work comes to its culmination. Jesus Christ is risen. Like the three stories I shared with you above, Jesus also experienced death. The difference for Jairus’ daughter, the son of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus is they will all face death again. That is what sets apart their story from the story of our Savior. Yes, Jesus would die, not to be brought to life to die again, but to rise and die no more. His definitive answer is death no longer has the final say. The final say comes in Jesus Christ.

Which leads to my one thought on Easter. While the silence of those Jesus brought back to life is fact, Jesus’ resurrection is different. He isn’t silent. His word to the disciples on that Easter evening is “Peace.” In John 20:19, we read, “On the evening of the first day of the week, when the odors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” In John 20:20-21, the word peace is again at the fore. “When Jesus had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” To all, on this Easter Sunday, his words aren’t elaborate, yet they change everything. To us, he says, “Peace.”

And with the word peace commands a command. We are to go. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Sent, our word is that Jesus Christ is alive, Jesus Christ is risen. Happy Easter!

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: The Lord has risen! It is true! Proclaim it to the world! Pray for those who are called to priesthood and religious life.

John 20:1-9

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

Faith Formation: Thank you to all the teachers for taking the time to teach our young parishioners about our faith over this last year. We appreciate your dedication and time.

Rice Bowls: Please return rice bowls ASAP.

THANK YOU to all who helped with and attended Stations of the Cross during Lent. We couldn’t do it without you!

Faith Formation Confirmation Teacher: Mackenzie Erickson - mackenziefreking@hotmail.com

Congratulations to all who were received into the church on Holy Saturday through the OCIA program. We welcome you all and pray for your continued journey in faith.

Server Training: There will be server training on Wednesday, April 22nd with Father Schuster at 6:30 PM in the Church. This training is for current servers and anyone who would like to start.

Anointing Of The Sick: The Anointing of the Sick will be offered after Mass at St Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart (Heron Lake), and Sacred Heart (Brewster) on the weekend of April 18th and 19th.

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.

Thank you to Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Heron Lake) for your generous donation of handmade quilts to Helping Hand Pregnancy Center. Your beautiful work will wrap our moms and babies in warmth, comfort, and the reassurance that they are deeply loved. Each quilt is more than a gift—it’s a tangible expression of Christ’s care and a reminder to every family that they are supported by a compassionate church community. We are truly grateful for your partnership in this life affirming ministry.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Emily Zylstra RN

Executive Director

Helping Hands Pregnancy Center

910 3rd Ave

Worthington MN 56187

HHPC ED @gmail.com

507-372-2111

https://helpinghandworthington.org

The Knights of Columbus #1608 will be participating in the State-wide Raffle. See a Knight or Tim Jenniges for a $5.00 Ticket. The local Knights Council receive half of the proceeds from the Raffle.

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.

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.

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.