Couple to visit 87 churches across the Archdiocese

Parishioners, Michael and Erica from St Thomas the Apostle in Kambah

WHAT started out as a shared love of country drives has turned into an adventure around the Archdiocese for St Thomas the Apostle Church in Kambah parishioners Michael and Erica de Raadt.

“We have been in Canberra for almost ten years now, and we like to go for drives to explore and particularly to visit nice, small country towns,” Michael said. “Erica had this idea that we could set ourselves the challenge of visiting every church in the Archdiocese.”

As the couple started researching, they were surprised to discover just how many churches that would include. “There’s about 87 churches that have Masses,” Michael said. “Some of them are quite remote and don’t have Mass frequently at all – maybe only the fifth Sunday of the month – so we really need to plan carefully for those ones.”

Michael said that since becoming empty nesters, the couple had more freedom to take trips together. “We have visited about a quarter of the churches so far – our criteria is that we have to attend Mass there together for it to count,” he said. “One of the fun parts is that you show up at a church where they don’t usually get visitors, and everyone says, ‘Oh, hello! Who are you?’ They are always lovely and welcoming.”

Michael said it had been interesting to note the differences and similarities between parishes. “There is a lot of variety,” he explained. “We have the same Mass everywhere we go, of course, but there are always little touches in how people do their music and prayers.”

The pair has been delighted to discover significant churches in the middle of remote areas. “The communities 50 years ago have come together and said, ‘Let’s invest and build this beautiful church from stone and fabulous materials – marble, beautiful architecture, stained glass’ and all that sort of stuff,” Michael said. “When you show up in this small town, you’re not expecting a great deal, but all of a sudden, this wonderful church comes up, and being able to participate in a Mass there is quite special.”

“It is really interesting to see the shape of the Archdiocese and how it moves out in different directions.”

They are strongly involved in their own parish as well – Michael is an acolyte, and Erica sings with the choir – so the couple anticipates it will take some time to complete the church circuit. “We aren’t in a hurry; we are just enjoying visiting the communities,” Michael said. “It is funny because you end up in places where they have traditional hamburgers and lime milkshakes and all those things you loved from the milk bar when you were a kid but can’t get anymore.

“The most wonderful thing, though, is that we have always been welcomed everywhere we go. I think one of the most important ministries in a parish isn’t necessarily off the altar – it is at the front door.”