The Byzantine Catholic liturgy I attend is about twenty five minutes away. But the next time I am wont to complain about that I might think of the father of this man:
Thomas Cogan Jr.
His father, my great-great-grandfather, emigrated from Ireland but had no nearby church. The following obituary was obtained from the local historical society:
"The Rev. James P. Ward, who preached the funeral sermon, said: 'Mr. Cogan was known to walk from Glynwood to Piqua to be present at the divine Sacrifice of the Mass. It was his earnest zeal that prompted him to have a church close at hand, and he with others of the same sturdy faith united their efforts and established a pastorate at Glynwood.'"That's at least thirty miles as the crow flies! Hard to imagine and a bit surreal. It would surely take a minimum of six to eight hours on foot?
____
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door --the Proclaimers
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