A pedal-pushing priest has cycled nearly 1500 kilometres in one month for the sake of one of his young congregants, who has been diagnosed with leukemia.
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West Wagga Parish priest Thomas Casanova took on the Great Cycling Challenge with the goal of raising $1000 for cancer research, but has already smashed his target by $12,000.
Fr Casanova said it had been a challenging experience, what with the frequent magpie attacks and Wagga's uphill slopes, but also a time for quiet reflection.
"It's been a time for prayer; as I push the pedals I pray, and sometimes I come up with ideas for sermons while I'm cycling," Fr Casanova said.
"I've been praying for the kids while cycling, but if I can also use it to raise some money for research then that's great."
Fr Casanova said he was inspired take on the challenge by one of his flock, 8-year-old Levi Blacka, who has been battling leukemia since he was five years old.
Fr Casanova baptised Levi after he was born and he married their two parents, Gloria and Leigh, and he said he felt like it was duty to help them in their time of need.
"You're a part of the family, in sense," Fr Casanova said.
"Priests don't have their own family in one sense, but we do have a shared family life with everyone in our parish and beyond."
Levi's mother Gloria Blacka said the community outpouring for Levi had meant a great deal to the family, who were now doing their best to live a "new normal" life.
Both parents had to put their full-time jobs on hold while Levi attended chemotherapy, and Mrs Blacka said charities like Country Hope were a financial lifeline during that time.
Levi is still currently in remission, but Mrs Blacka said he was back to being the smiley, high-spirited boy he always was.
"He's that type of child who is resilient; whatever change happens for him, he goes with the flow and accepts it, which is a pretty amazing for such a small child," Mrs Blacka said.
"He's very positive, very determined, and still very cheeky."
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
