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

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

John 9:3

Weekly Words from The Rock:

In this column, I would like to offer some observations on Lent. Let us begin with the weather. Because Lent falls between the months of February and April, the weather is unpredictable. We can have a 50-degree day only to followed the next day with a temperature in the teens. We can have snow or rain. We can see people wearing t-shirts or parkas. The ups and downs recall the story of my life. I have good days and bad days. Such ups and downs also apply to my spiritual life. My prayer during Lent is no matter what comes my way I trust completely in God.

When I was a child, my father brought in sand which became our sandbox. It was located just outside the shed where my father and mother could keep an eye on us. I had fun in that sandbox. I would plant and plow with both being pulled by a John Deere tractor. Come to think of the tractor, it would have some value today if I had only kept it in the box. Being a kid, I didn’t care about the value. I just liked to play with my tractor. Lent recalls Jesus’ journey in the desert. The desert contains sand like that of my sandbox. In that desert sand, Jesus came to understand his mission.

Another thing about the desert is how dry it can be. I have never experienced desert climate. What I have been told is that the days are very hot and the nights have a cool feel to them. I wonder what it was like for Jesus in the desert. Was he ready for the heat? Was he ready for the cold of night? It is difficult to answer as it isn’t a footnote in the gospels.

Lent, and Holy Week, is about colors. My favorite color growing up was purple. Why purple? The Minnesota Vikings? I can’t say with utter certainty. The colors of Lent and Holy Week are tried and true:

When growing up, another memory which comes to mind was the dark of the fields. If Easter fell later in April, there was a chance my father started planting corn. What I never remember is the corn being out of the ground by Easter. The fields were dark awaiting the opportunity to bring about life. Our churches in Lent are dark/stark. The flowers are removed. Everything is simplified. Like a field, our churches prepare to spring forth life. Easter Sunday sees a full display of banners and flowers. Life is present. That life came in Jesus Christ.

I still think about my family and our younger years. I had one brother and two sisters. We all attended Ash Wednesday, the Sundays of Lent, the Holy Week Masses, and Good Friday Service. We would also pile into the car for Stations of the Cross on Friday evening. Family brings with it people. Spring ahead to today and we celebrate the same Masses/ Services. What do we see? People! People come in all types of shapes and sizes. As people, we gather together in churches to remind ourselves of our utter dependence of God.

Easter brought with it gifts. I still marvel at how the Easter bunny knew what each kid enjoyed. Baskets were filled with anything from chocolate to colored eggs. Each was looked upon as a gift, and each was cherished. These gifts point to the greatest gift of all, the gift of Jesus Christ.

What memories do you have of Lent and Holy Week? Cherish them for they are yours.

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: Clear the mud from your eyes and see! The one who heals also calls us to follow. Live your life as a witness to God’s healing, saving touch.

John 9:1-14

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

Coffee & Rolls will be hosted by Richard & Dianne Freking on March 22nd.

Stations of the Cross will take place Wednesdays at 7 pm. The 9th/10th grade Faith Formation students will lead Stations on March 18th.

REMINDER: If school is late or closed due to adverse weather, Wednesday Mass is also canceled. Sunday Mass cancellation will be announced on KDOM and Worthington Radio Stations, along with being posted on Facebook.

Heron Lake Fire Department will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast this morning at the Heron Lake Elementary.

COF Pancake Breakfast: Catholic Order of Foresters will be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast on Palm Sunday, March 29th. If you are willing, they are looking for a few extra hands to just show up and help that day. THANK YOU !! CCW will be doing a quilt raffle again this year, with a quilt made by Delores Pelzel. Tickets have been mailed.

Faith Formation will end on March 22nd for K-6th grade students and Wednesday, March 25th for 7th-12th grade students.

2nd Collection for Joseph Bartosh March 29th. These collections will happen four times throughout the year. This collection is to show our church and community support to our Parishioner who has taken on the great duty of Seminary in the hopes of one day being a priest.

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.

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.

Windom Ministerial Lenten Service Wednesday, March 25th, Noon Service with meal to follow. Free Will Donation during Service goes to Ministerial and Donation during meal goes to the Church providing the meal.

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.