By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff Writer
Five women parishioners of St. Columbkill, Boyertown who attend daily Mass turn 90 this year, and the parish helped them celebrate their “roaring ’90s.”
Dolores Ondo, Maryann Doerk, Mary Dudeck, Betty Botscheller and Claire Chovanes faithfully attend Mass each morning, and the parish honored them with a celebratory breakfast May 7.
“It was a delight to celebrate these birthdays. I have been here at St. Columbkill for a little over 10 years. The daily Mass crowd is robust. We have between 35 and 50 people each day. I think the reason is the time – Monday through Friday 9 a.m. It works,” said Father Martin Kern.
“All the ladies are going strong. I am blessed to preside at this daily Eucharist. It is a community in the midst of our larger community because it includes parishioners and people from other local parishes who find the time convenient. We really attend to each other and pray for each other as well as extended family and friends who are in need of daily prayer.”
“We always went to daily Mass when I was in the boarding school in Germany. It is just what I’ve always done. It is a good way to get daily blessings for me and my family,” said Botscheller.
“I’ve been a member of St Columbkill since 1985 and have been attending daily Mass ever since. Even though I no longer drive, I’m very blessed to have someone drive me each day. People have seen to that and I’m so grateful,” said Ondo.
“It’s the beginning of a good day when you start it off at Mass. I was a Eucharistic minister for about 10 years, and it continues to be important to me to receive Jesus each day.
“Over the years I’ve made many friends at St Columbkill, and the morning Mass-goers in particular have become like extended family. Father Marty is wonderful, too and makes us each feel special,” Ondo said.
“Our obligation as Catholics is to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation,” said Father Kern.
“However, it is part of our tradition to have Mass each day since it is at the altar that we are at our best as Catholics and we are taught that the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of our lives.
“It is a great blessing to pray together as our day begins.”
