While the faithful should always strive to live a life that is preparing them for their eventual home in heaven, setting more immediate goals provides a means by which Christians can keep themselves walking the longer path.

Pastor Stephen Brunner of Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Wisconsin recently addressed the congregation regarding the importance of setting attainable goals, such as preparing oneself spiritually for the coming season.

With the beginning of Advent on Sunday, Nov. 29 creating a new start to the liturgical year, Brunner announced a revised Mass schedule intended to assist parishioners in preparing for this Christmas season. 

The daily Mass on Mondays through Thursdays will take place in the large church space at 8 a.m., he wrote. On Sunday mornings, Eucharistic adoration will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the large church space, and confession will be offered in the Reconciliation Room.

Brunner wrote that the revised schedule is meant to balance the needs of a healthy spiritual life with the needs for parishioners to take the prescribed precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

“Some people may still be worried due to the spike in coronavirus cases in Wisconsin, and I understand your concern. Keep in mind, our decisions often involve the weighing of various options and factors,” Brunner wrote. “As your parochial administrator, I want to give you the opportunity to prepare your heart to receive Jesus Christ at Christmas in a safe and responsible way.”

Ultimately, a Christian’s personal relationship has to be the number one priority in their lives, he wrote.

“As we reflect upon the quality of our personal relationship with Jesus, it is good to remember that there is risk involved in any decision that we make,” Brunner wrote. “There is risk in going to the grocery store. There is risk in driving. There is risk in going to school.”