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

Weekly Words from The Rock:

I was listening to a podcast with football being the topic. They were amazed at how a sport begins with practice around 90 degrees and can finish, with the playoffs, in snow and wind. That got me reflecting on my football days.

Did I look forward to two-a-day practices in August? No. I remember how nervous I was the days leading up to practice. Dread might be a better word. Practice meant the following:

Between all the running, we were split up by groups. On offense, I played tight end. I practiced with the offensive line. We did various drills:

On defense, I played middle linebacker. Some of the various drills were:

These drills we practiced day after day for the sole purpose of preparing us for game day. Thinking back to the podcast I mentioned previously, they were correct. We began in the heart of summer and played into November. The weather in November was unpredictable varying from unseasonably warm to cold and snow. I never liked playing in the cold. Cold plays with your mind and it messes with one physically. My hands would get cold making it more difficult to tackle or catch a football.

In the end, everything was about formulating a team. A team which believed in each other and played for each other. Such is the story of God. He molds us each day to make us the holiest person we can be, and every Sunday we gather as a “team,” as God’s people, to give God worship and praise. Nourished by God’s word and sacrament (Christ’s body and blood), we are sent into the world to proclaim a belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the week ahead, let us allow God to mold us and ready us to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.

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: Peter received his special call when he acknowledged Jesus as Messiah. We who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior also receive a special call. Ask the Lord to direct your heart.

Matthew 16:13-20

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

Second Collection for Joseph Bartosh on Sunday, August 30th.

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.

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.

Intinction is the practice of dipping the host into the Precious Blood (the chalice). It has come to my attention that a few people are practicing self-communicating which means the person receiving Holy Communion takes the host, carries it to the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion who is distributing the Precious Blood, and dipping the host into the chalice on their own. This practice is not allowed in the Catholic Church. The theological reason for this stems from the Church’s tradition to receive rather than take the Eucharist. Also, this practice prevents the possibility of the Precious Blood dripping onto the floor after the host has been placed in the chalice and transferred to a person’s tongue. Thus, moving forward, I would ask anyone receiving Holy Communion to receive the Precious Body and Precious Blood from the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Thanks, Father Peter Schuster.

On Sunday, August 30th the motorcycle group “Prayer Zone Partners” will be at the High School on the east side by the flag to offer prayers for school children for their school year, their safety and well-being. Listen to KDOM radio station for a tentative time to come and pray with them.

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.