Author's nationwide journey taking him to Tallassee

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
Whether it’s visiting Church in the Pines on Lake Martin in Tallassee or at 51 other churches in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, author Daniel Markham feels called to be there.
Markham is traveling the country and attending Mass in each state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico and will highlight his journey in an upcoming book called “52 Masses.”  The suburban Chicago resident will visit Church in the Pines on Aug. 21, where St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s 6 p.m. Saturday Vigil is celebrated during the summer.
It will be Markham’s ninth Mass on his trek, which began in June in Nashua, N.H. He hopes to complete the journey in July 2022 and have the book published at the end of next year.
“I’m excited about this and feel this is where I’m supposed to be right now,” Markham said. “It’s a unique feeling. I’ve never had it before, but it’s really strong.”
Not only is Markham attending a Mass in 52 different locales, but he’s highlighting a certain aspect or ministry of each parish.
“I want to cover as many stories as I can and highlight the breadth of our Church. They’re not necessarily ground-breaking, earth shattering stories, but they show who we are.”
Markham was attracted to ecumenical efforts in Tallassee, specifically St. Vincent de Paul’s participation in A.C.T.S. - the Association of Christians of Tallassee. Several Tallassee churches support the nonprofit which assists with daily necessities such as food, utilities, clothing and household items. 
Markham added the ecumenical ministry also ties in nicely to Church in the Pines, where other Sunday services are held at the outdoor chapel along with the Mass.
“I don’t think I’ve ever attended Mass in an outdoor setting, so I’m excited about that,” he said.
Markham’s cross-country journey is five years in the making. He wanted to wait until his youngest son graduated from high school and wasn’t living at home, but he began planning by emailing parishes in each state for more information. 
A secretary at St. Vincent de Paul responded to the email highlighting St. Vincent de Paul.
“I received a really nice letter and she was excited about all that was going on in the parish,” he said. “I got some really nice responses from people like that, who are proud of their parish or ministry. I never would’ve conceived (some of the ideas) on my own, ideas who came from so many good Catholics.”
“I think every parish has a story to share.”
Markham’s job as a trade magazine editor provides him flexibility to make his trips. Markham had to be flexible with his goal too. He originally wanted to begin in January 2021, visit one Mass a Sunday and complete the mission at the end of this year. 
It was a symmetric plan, but then an unrealistic plan after COVID-19 hit last year and created many unknowns. So Markham began when feasible in June and is staying at home some weekends.
Markham also decided to truly let God be at the wheel, so to speak.
His first trip to New Hampshire was in a car with nearly 280,000 miles on it.
“I was thinking ‘Oh my gosh … then I started to drive to New Hampshire and this sense of calm came over me,” he said. “This is what I’m supposed to be doing. The Holy Spirit is with me doing this. I’m not going to worry about the price of gas or how many miles. It was a wonderful feeling.”
A newer set of wheels didn’t hurt either.
His oldest son moved to San Francisco and had no place to park his car. Dad was happy to help out and is now driving a Ford Fiesta to serve his purpose.
In the end Markham has multiple goals for his journey
“What I hope to accomplish with this is basically, in a broad sense, capture the life of our Church at this point in time. There are different ways that we as Catholics live our faith. I wouldn’t mind if maybe somebody is inspired by an individual or effort (I write about) and it sparks their faith or they might be able to apply it to their parish or diocese,” he said. 
He also has a personal goal.
“My goal is to become a better Catholic when I’m done,” he said. “If I’m not a better Catholic, which will make me a better husband and better father, then I won’t have accomplished everything I should. My faith should be stronger and better and more informed when I’m done.”
— Visit 52Masses.com to keep up to date with Daniel Markham’s trip.