Nearly every suburban parish in (heavily Catholic) Cincinnati has a Saturday afternoon or evening Mass but, for lots of reasons, I’ve just been going through the motions—never feeling too “connected.” But there’s a racetrack near Lunken Airport and, about a year ago, a friend introduced me to a small community of “backtrackers.” Because of their work schedules and transportation issues, these stable hands, trainers, hot walkers, veterinaries, farriers, exercise riders and jockeys can’t make traditional church services. So, my friend, a racing enthusiast, arranged for a priest to come and say Mass at a back-of-the-track building on Sunday mornings. It’s bare bones, with a card table serving as the altar in front of a bunch of vending machines, betting windows and a pool table. Now, I know absolutely nothing about horse racing (and probably less about being a Christian), but this simple, short, beautifully devout celebration is my kind of church.
Sunday Service at an Airport
Key Takeaways:
- During the early COVID-19 quarantine, the author, who typically attended an unconventional racetrack Mass, found a new form of spiritual and community connection through Sunday morning fly-outs.
- These flights provided opportunities for socially distanced gatherings, such as an impromptu fly-in lunch with friends at a rural Ohio airport, highlighting aviation's role in maintaining connection during isolation.
- The article interweaves personal experiences with a humorous anecdote about an older pilot's ingenious use of an aircraft to solve a domestic problem, reflecting the unique spirit and camaraderie of the flying community.
- Ultimately, the author expresses a longing for a return to normal life and the cherished traditions of general aviation activities post-pandemic.
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