SUN CITY – The 10th anniversary of St. Mary’s Senior Group was commemorated in a special Mass on May 24 led by Monsignor Steve Knox.
The Mass’s message centered around friendship and that true friends are a blessing from God. It was one Senior Group President Dolores Boychuk said resonated strongly through the pews that day.
“A truer statement would not be available,” she said.
As president for all but the very first meeting, Boychuk has seen the group grow from 25 to 196 members over the last 10 years.
But while it has grown, the group has gelled together as well.
Monsignor Steve delivers a message that true friends are a blessing during a Mass held for the 10th anniversary of St. Mary’s Senior Group. (Mason Souza I Sun Day Photo)
“Everybody talks to everybody,” she said. “The friendship is there – you feel it; it’s right there. There’s only one way that that possibly can be, is because the Lord is there with us.”
The club meets every Wednesday in the basement of the church after noon mass. They gather together for anything from coffee and cake to lunches spotlighting the food of various cultures.
The group has also had guest speakers come in. Boychuk said her favorite talks were given by the church’s priests.
“It’s hilarious because they were just like us before they became priests,” she said.
While the group is not centered around charitable works, they have helped St. Louis Roi de France Parish, St. Mary’s sister parish in Haiti, by holding special collections for the church. With the funds raised, the group was able to purchase a statue of the Virgin Mary as well as stations of the cross for the church.
The church was unfortunately unable to use the gifts, as it was destroyed during the 2010 earthquake. Boychuk said the church is currently being rebuilt and plans to use the items, however.
Knox said the senior group is a gift to St. Mary’s because of the connections it makes.
“I think it’s a good community-building type of an organization. It allows people to connect and get to know other parishioners,” he said.
The group is made up of about 60 percent Sun City residents, according to Boychuk. And though their occasional lunch outings tally between 30 and 40, they are always accepting new members.
“I think they’re a great group and they really try to take a spiritual focus, so I hope it keeps going for a long time,” Knox said.
With Boychuk’s love of leading the group, it is very likely they will.
St. Mary Senior Group
Meets the first Wednesday of each month after the noon Mass at St. Mary’s for lunch or breakfast.
If interested in joining, the group, call President Dolores Boychuk at 847-669-7029
