Reaching regional communities in the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese, which spans about 88,000 square kilometres across New South Wales and the ACT, can sometimes require more than good intentions. On this occasion, it also required a light aircraft. Source: Catholic Voice.
The journey began, quite literally, on a wing and a prayer.
Before the Cessna 172 even left the ground in Canberra, bound for Temora, the first check wasn’t mechanical – it was spiritual.
A prayer set the tone for a pastoral visit that relied on everything falling neatly into place: clear weather, an available plane, a skilled pilot, open schedules in Temora, and an archbishop ready to climb to 6000 feet to personally deliver the latest edition of The Catholic Voice.
Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse made the journey with pilot Don Smith – journalist for The Catholic Voice and, for the day, its airborne delivery man.
Before departure, Archbishop Prowse said the visit was about far more than simply transporting newspapers.
“It gives us an idea of the rural part of the Archdiocese … and how precious they are to us,” he said.
“I’m delighted to be on this flight, to show my pastoral care and love of the Archdiocese, especially in its rural areas.”
The trip took about an hour, passing over Jugiong and Cootamundra before arriving in Temora.
At Temora aerodrome, the archbishop was greeted by a warm and enthusiastic crowd: St Anne’s Catholic College principal Louise Grant, parish priest Fr Alex Osborne, students from both the primary and secondary campuses, and members of the local community.
The students had prepared handmade welcome signs and paper flags bearing the archbishop’s crest and episcopal motto, “Only Jesus”.
Addressing the students and staff, Archbishop Prowse drew a link between the Church’s mission today and the missionaries of the early Church.
“In the early Church, the way that St Paul and St Francis Xavier … got around to tell people about Jesus was through the trade routes,” he said.
“So I hitched a ride on the plane to tell you how much Jesus loves you.”
Fr Osborne said the welcome reflected the spirit of the town.
“The first thing you’ve got to learn about Temora is it’s a friendly community, the friendliest you’ll find,” he said. “People are great and close together. We also love our planes.”
He noted Temora’s proud aviation history, with the aerodrome holding an important place in the training of Australian pilots during the First and Second World Wars.
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On a wing and a prayer (By Jeanine Doyle, Catholic Voice)
