Sacred Heart Church | 321 9th Street, P.O. Box 377, Heron Lake, MN 56137 | Sunday Mass: 8:00 am Sacred Heart Church | 516 10th Street, P.O. Box 187, Brewster, MN 56119 | Saturday Mass: 5:00 pm

St. Francis Xavier Church | 532 17th Street, P.O. Box 39, Windom, MN 56101 | Sunday Mass: 10:00 am

Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16

What does it mean to be salt and light? If we listen carefully to Jesus’ words, we gain some direction. To be salt means to bring taste, zest, and joy to life. We are asked to liven things up a bit by allowing the joy of our faith to spill over into the lives of others. Only a sincere and deep relation-ship with God can freshen up humanity and set it on proper course. To be light means that our faith must translate into action so that we can be Christ for others and extend the same arm of mercy and compassion that Christ did. Our acts of piety, then, cannot be directed solely at our-selves. Prayer is never about self-benefit but must always be directed toward union with God, deep-ening our relationships with one another and learning how to be effective stewards of the beautiful universe God has entrusted to our care.

The Master gives us wise direction in terms of how we can best become the salt and light he desires. Listen carefully to the Beatitudes. Think about the oppression and alienation that exists in our world, the violence and prejudice, the anger and the hatred, the fear and the shame. All of these things require action. The poor need food, housing, and clothes. Hatred must be replaced by love. Retaliation and violence by forgiveness. Our thoughts and speech can become more like Christ. We can change and continue to change. Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman said, “To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.”

But it doesn’t end with just offering the bandages needed to heal wounds. It must go deep-er. We must ask ourselves what has happened that we have found ourselves in this place with these wounds and divisions. What are their causes? Together we must address these systemic problems, politically and spiritually, and face the truth. Only then will we truly be salt and light. But then again, we may not like what the light shows us.

©LPi

WELCOME! MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS: FEBRUARY 11–16, 2020

NEXT WEEKEND’S READINGS:

Sirach 15:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Matthew 5:17-37

Tuesday 5:30pm Windom +Jess & Charlotte Bayliss

Wednesday 9:30am Lakeview A/L +Viola Liepold

Thursday 9:00am Brewster +Jared Bohn

Friday 9:30am Sogge Home +Rodney Miranowski

Saturday 5:00pm Brewster +Sylvester & Loralie Schmitz

Sunday 8:00am Heron Lake +Ben & Dorothy Vanderheiden

10:00am Windom +Michael Unger

SACRED HEART HERON LAKE

SACRED HEART BREWSTER

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER WINDOM

FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Weekly Gospel Meditation

PARISH PRIEST Fr. Pratap Reddy Salibindla, 548 17th St., P. O. Box 39, Windom, MN 56101 Cell: 507-226-4536 E-mail: triparishpriestjuly2018@gmail.com

BREWSTER OFFICE: Loretta Smith: Office Administrator Phone: 507-842-5584 Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30AM-4:30PM E-Mail: sacreds@centurytel.net Dawn Murphy: FF Coordinator

HERON LAKE OFFICE: Carmen Rasche: Office Administrator Phone: 507-793-2357 Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30AM-4:00PM E-mail: sacredhearthl@gmail.com Website: http://sacredheartheronlake.org Judy Stenzel: FF Coordinator E-mail: sacredhlff@yahoo.com WINDOM OFFICE: Pat Spencer: Office Administrator Phone: 507-831-1985 Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00AM–3:00PM E-mail: stfxavier@windomnet.com Website: www.sfxwindom.org Katelin Brown: FF Coordinator E-mail: stfrancisff@gmail.com

NEW PARISHIONERS 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.

PRAYER & WORSHIP

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

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VOCATION VIEW: We are called to be light in the world. Put your lamp on a stand and not under a bushel basket! Let your light shine before all so that they may see the goodness in your acts and give praise to God. Consider the priesthood or religious life. (Matthew 5:13-16)

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: Contact the priest 6 to 12 months in ad-vance 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 chil-dren, who would be willing to volunteer to help prepare our en-gaged couples for marriage. Please contact Fr. Pratap at 507-226-4536, or your parish office, if interested.

BAPTISM PREPARATION: Contact the parish office a month in ad-vance to fill out the form and to attend Baptism Mentoring Sessions. All Baptisms will be celebrated during weekend Masses.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION will be offered beginning at 4:30PM before Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Brewster, and by appointment at Sacred Heart Church in Heron Lake and Saint Francis Xavier in Windom.

YOU ARE INVITED TO PRAY THE ROSARY: At Sacred Heart Church (Brewster) on Thursday mornings 8:40 AM & Saturdays 4:40 PM; At St. Francis Xavier on Sundays at 9:30AM; At Sacred Heart (Heron Lake) before Sunday Mass and prior to 9:30 AM Wednesday Mass at Lakeview Assisted Living; At the Mountain Lake Good Samaritan Nursing Home the first Friday each month and the following Tues-days, 10:30am in the Chapel.

Tri Parish Prayer Intentions: Submit Intentions to Parish Coordinator. • Regina Salibindla • Nate Vortherms • Bill Fisher • Lenny Thiner • Mark Elmer • Jim Salentiny • Cindy Reid • Don Clasemann • Al Purrington • For those who have left the church • For all abused and neglected children • For an end to abortion

FUNERAL MASSES Eternal rest grant unto…

Phyllis J. Smith, mother of Kyle Smith, whose Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, February 1st, at Crow River Lutheran Church in Bel-grade, Mn.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. We remember her family in our prayers.

LITURGICAL LIFE

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LITURGICAL ROLES– FEBRUARY 15 & 16

ROLE BREWSTER Saturday | 5:00 pm

HERON LAKE Sunday | 8:00 am

WINDOM Sunday | 10:00 pm

Servers Parker Murphy Tanner Hennings

Braeden Erickson Aubrey Erickson

Elijah Fossing Marcus Hoppe Braxton Brown

Lectors Loretta Smith Norma Volk

Marlys Olson Jeremy Bartosh

Jessica Smith Lisa Letcher

Cantor Tim Jenniges

Gifts Paul Haberman Dawn Haberman

Agnes Lohse Dean Lohse

Students

Eucharistic Ministers

Tom Volk Marlys Olson Jeremy Bartosh, to Choir

Cindy Reid Brenda R. Lisa M.

Ushers

Paul Haberman Ethan Haberman

Mark Haberman Ryan Haberman Larry Liepold David Henkels

Students Gale Symens Patty Symens

Greeters Students

Contribution Stewards

Gerard Weinandt Karen Weinandt Jay Clarke Pam Clarke

Kevin Leopold Colette Leopold Brad Iverson Suzanne Iverson

Dave Green Judy Green John Duscher

Rosary Bibi Spartz Judy Anderson Mary Benson

STEWARDSHIP CHURCH SUPPORT

Category Brewster Heron Lake Windom

Week 31/52 $1,042 $1,272 $2,995

YTD $39,403 $91,228 $72,518

Budget $97,774

Total ($6,546)

MEDITACIÓN DEL EVANGÉLIO – ALENTAR UN ENTENDIMIENTO MÁS PROFUNDO DE LA ESCRITUR 5º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 9 de febrero de 2020 Ni siquiera nos podemos imaginar el mundo sin sal y sin luz; ambos son importantes para la vida huma-na. La sal da sabor a la comida y la luz incrementa la visibilidad. Por esta razón, nuestro compromiso al discipulado cristiano por medio del bautismo debe de dar sabor y luz al estilo de Cristo. El discipulado siem-pre debe de llevar al discernimiento del cómo se relaciona la persona con Dios y con los demás. En las lec-turas, especialmente el Evangelio, Jesús dice claramente que si la sal pierde su sabor no sirve para nada. Advierte claramente a sus discípu-los con la siguiente catequesis: “Ustedes son la sal de la tierra. Si la sal se vuelve insípida, ¿cómo se le devolverá el sabor? Ya no sirve para nada y se tira a la calle para que la pise la gente.” (Mateo 5:13). Ensegui-da, también dice: “Ustedes son la luz del mundo.” (Mateo 13:14). ¡Vaya compromiso el que se tiene al ser discípulo de Jesús! Ahora, la pregunta es: ¿Qué clase de sabor doy? Soy persona amarga-da, egoísta que donde me presento cambia el ambiente y la conversa-ción por la negatividad que perci-ben los demás en mí o por el conta-rio, soy sal y luz en la familia, trabajo y comunidad. No se debe de olvidar que Cristo es la sal y la luz para to-dos. “‘Parece poca cosa’ pero el Se-ñor ‘con pocas cosas nuestras hace milagros, hace maravillas’ por lo tanto, es necesario tener esta acti-tud de ‘humildad’ que consiste en buscar solamente ser sal y luz.” (Papa Francisco). Pero, ojo, no se puede ser sal y luz sin relación personal con Cristo que es sal y luz en mí. ©LPi

INSIDE OUR PARISHES

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WINDOM

BREWSTER THE TURNING POINT by Dr. Al-len Hunt, is a nine-session Bible Study experience that's perfect for people who want to get to know Jesus in the Scriptures but don't know where to start. This Bible Study will invite you to deepen your faith and grow alongside the people Jesus meets in the Gospel of John. To register call, Loretta Smith 842-5584 or Bev McCarvel the Bible Study Facilitator 842-5460. There is no cost and you will receive the study guide book and The Gospel According to John.

FEBRUARY ISSUES of the Couri-er and The Word Among Us are available at the entrances of the church. Please take a copy home of each.

2019 CHURCH SUPPORT state-ments are available to be picked up at the entrances of the church.

A VALENTINE’S SUPPER will be served by the Spirituality Commis-sion following Mass on Sat., Feb. 8th. Everyone is invited to come!

still looking for a Vice-President, Treasurer and Funeral Commit-tee Chair. Please support your guild chairs as they request your assistance with the upcoming Fun Day.

FUN SUNDAY begins immedi-ately after Mass on Feb. 16th, with coffee cake, games, Bingo, the cake walk, and a raffle. The CCW will be serving Bar-B-Q, hotdogs/coney, nachos and chips, fruit cups, pie and beverages for lunch. Everyone is welcome to join the FUN! Raffle tickets avail-able.

RAFFLE TICKETS and money can be mailed to: Dianne Freking, 90607 350th Ave, Heron Lake, MN. Preferably drop your tickets in the collection or bring them down to FUN SUNDAY on Febru-ary 16th. (Alternate snow date is February 23rd)

JUVENILE FORESTERS please see Kevin Leopold down in the church hall on Fun Day to get your free activity/game tickets!

LITURGICAL MINISTRY ROLES for the months of February/March are now available for you to pick up from the church en-trance. Roles are also available for viewing on our website. See http://sacredheartheronlake.org and click on the Liturgy Roles Tab. Please remember to find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assigned role.

MISSION QUILTING will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30PM in Steger Hall, weather permitting.

THE LITURGY COMMITTEE will meet Thursday, February 13th at 6:30pm at the Sharon Jenniges home.

THE FEBRUARY COURIER and “the Work among us” are available in the Church entrances.

JOIN US AUGUST 3-6, 2020 FOR CAMP SUMMIT, a Catholic middle school youth camp for grades 6 -8, located in Lanesboro, MN. There are high ropes courses, group challenges, archery and more! Most importantly it is a time to encounter our Lord in His beau-ty of creation outdoors and in the sacraments. Join our parish and youth from all across the diocese as we journey closer to Christ. Registration has already begun. If you have questions or to register, contact Katelin Brown by February 12th. If your child would like to at-tend but cost is an issue, please contact Katelin or Fr. Pratap. For more info visit the Camp Summit web-site: https:// www.campsummitwinona.org.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Sweetheart Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 6:00 pm at River City Eatery. The meal will be a 2-Meat Buffet (beef & pork), Tossed Salad, Creamy Mashed Po-tatoes w/Gravy, and Green Bean Casserole. Cost per dinner is $15.99. Council 1608 will pay for each spouse/significant other and our special guests. Please RSVP Tim Jenniges at 831-1380 by Febru-ary 14th.

REMINDER: Birthdays will be an-nounced on the 1st Sunday of the month, Anniversaries will be an-nounced on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Please write your event on the calendar in the church entry. If you forget to write it down, you can call the office by noon on Fri-day to get it in the announce-ments.

HERON LAKE THE PARISH OFFICE will be closed the week of February 10th – 15th. Please contact Fr. Pratap if you need a priest. Please plan ac-cordingly.

FEBRUARY ISSUES of the Couri-er and The Word Among Us are available at the entrances of the church. Please take a copy home of each.

FAITH FORMATION CLASSES will not be held Sunday, February 16th, due to President’s Day break. If Faith Formation Classes are can-celled it will be announced on KDOM radio Windom and Radio-works Worthington Radio. If school is still in session it will be announced at the HS for the Wednesday evening classes.

NEXT CCW MEETING will be in the church hall on Tuesday, Feb-ruary 11th, at 7:00PM. The Council is

IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP to count the offering or are inter-ested in signing up, please join us following Mass today in the Church hall. Cindy Reid will ex-plain the procedures to be fol-lowed and answer questions.

THE PASTORAL COUNCIL will meet on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:15 PM in the Church hall.

NOTES FOR ALL PARISHES

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RECERTIFICATION TRAINING: The diocesan Safe Environment Of-fice will again launch Keeping Our Promise Alive 3.0, a VIRTUS® online recertification training for anyone who completed the “VIRTUS live training” in 2014 or earlier. In February, a recertification notice will be sent to those who completed the training in 2015. Em-ployees and volunteers of DOW-R parishes or schools that are due for recertification will receive an email from VIRTUS Online with cre-dentials to login and complete the training. This training takes 30-40 minutes. This mandatory recertification training must be completed in order for parishes and schools to be compliant with the diocesan Safe Environment Policy.

OUR TRI PARISH WILL BE PARTICIPATING in a workshop on Missionary Discipleship on March 31st at St. Adrian Church. The pur-pose of this workshop is 4-fold: 1) To introduce more thoroughly our diocesan initiative, Encounter Jesus: Living as Missionary Disciples de-veloped under the leadership of Bishop Quinn. 2) To give priests and staff/invested parishioners a heads up that we will launch this initia-tive diocesan-wide beginning with the Easter Season. 3) To offer background and guidance in preparing for our diocesan Ministry Days gathering on June 15-16, which will focus a shift from “maintenance” to a “mission” culture. 4) To share Bishop Quinn’s re-quest that every parish or cluster develop and submit a mission plan by the end of the calendar year. This workshop will explain what this is and the support parishes can receive in developing their plan. Ministry Days will provide part of that support. They would like up to 6 people from each parish to attend. We must RSVP by February 28th. If you are interested in attending, please let Fr. Pratap or your parish office coordinator know.

RESPECT LIFE: 40 Days for Life is an internationally-coordinated 40 day campaign that aims to end abortion locally, through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. Since 2007 when it began, 16,742 pre-born ba-bies have been saved, 104 abortion centers have closed, and 196 abortion workers have quit, plus mothers and fathers have been spared the heart ache of abortion. The next campaign is February 26-April 5. For a location near you, see www.40daysforlife.com.

PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND: Come along Nov. 9-19 to what is claimed by many to be the most beautiful place on earth, the Emerald Isle! We’ll visit Belfast, Derry, Knock, Gal-way, Killarney, Blarney, Dublin and so much more! Mass each day in great Churches and Cathedrals along the way! Cost is $3,379 with departure from Omaha. For a brochure and more information, con-tact Fr. Dan Guenther, St. Mary’s Parish, 311 – 4th St. N., Humboldt, Io-wa 50548 or call 712-899-6870 or email frdanguenther@gmail.com

THE KICK-OFF for the 2020 annual Catholic Ministries Appeal is February 16, 2020.

SOMEONE HAS BEEN CREATING EMAILS that are supposedly from Fr. Pratap asking for money for various things. These emails ARE NOT from Fr. Pratap. If you receive one, please do not open it. It is a scam!

PRE-CANA RETREAT DATES: Saturday, March 7: St. Charles Borro-meo Parish, St. Charles Saturday, March 28: St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato Saturday, May 16: St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato Saturday, July 28: St. John Vianney Parish, Fairmont

A DEFENSIVE DRIVER – FOUR HOUR REFRESHER COURSE will take place Thursday March 12, 2020 from 1-5pm at the Heron Lake Com-munity Center. Pre-Registration Fee is $20, At-door Registration Fee is $25. Register by Monday, March 2nd by calling the Heron Lake Okabena High School or Lisa Fest at 507-853-4507 or email lisa.fest@isd330.org.

TRI PARISH EVENT: Sacred Heart of Heron Lake will host a Tri Parish Len-ten Day Retreat on Saturday, March 7th, beginning at 1pm. Deacon Vern Behrends will share his faith journey and talk about Lenten practices and their significance. All Tri Parish mem-bers are invited and encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served!

FUN SUNDAY

Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Heron Lake

321 9th Street, Heron Lake, MN

February 16, 2020 9:00am to 1:00pm

Please join us for Games, Bingo, Cake Walk & Raffle

Menu: Coffee cake and coffee after Mass

Bar-B-Q’s – Hotdogs - Chips - Nachos Fruit cup - Pie - Beverages

CCW Fundraiser Everyone is Welcome!

ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES IN THE TRI-PARISH:

February 26, 2020

Sacred Heart Brewster 9:00am

Sacred Heart Heron Lake 6:00pm

St. Francis Xavier Windom 7:30pm