A Merry Messenger

Before COVID-19, Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill held a monthly religious mass for residents. Once the pandemic hit, the services were put on hold. Many residents either did not have vehicles or didn’t feel comfortable driving to Sunday services outside of Masonic Village. Residents missed the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist.

Fortunately, there was a silver lining in the name of Eileen Kovatch, a Masonic Village resident and member of St. Phillip Neri Church, in Lafayette Hill, located just a short car ride away from Masonic Village.

“Since I drive to church every Sunday to attend 10 a.m. mass, I offered to bring communion back to those who were unable to or who chose not to go to church services,” she said.

Around 20 residents typically sign up for sessions to receive the host, which Eileen carries back to Masonic Village in little round containers holding 10 wafers. Residents gather in small groups of 10 to recite prayers with Eileen before receiving communion. “People are very grateful that I can do this,” Eileen said. “There are a lot of Catholics in this community. As long as they need to be served in that fashion, I’m willing to do it for as long as I can.

“It’s not a big deal for me because I attend mass. All it means is bringing it back to people who are anxious for it. People are still afraid, even though it’s really quite safe in church because of physical distancing and masks.”

Eileen received her second COVID-19 vaccine on March 5.

Eileen said she’s been a “cradle Catholic,” born and raised in the Catholic Church. She attended Catholic schools all her life, including college and graduate school. She attended Rosemont College for her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Villanova University for her master’s in counseling and human relations.

She has been a lector and has given readings in churches in New Jersey “We raised our family mostly in Pennsylvania,” she said, which included six children. “We went to New Jersey first when we retired to the shore, and then we were snowbirds for a few years before deciding to move to Florida permanently.”

Over the course of her career, Eileen was a counselor in a drug rehabilitation center for teenagers and in a partial psychiatric day hospital. She worked in administrative services positions in Montgomery County. Later in her career, she entered the business world as a management trainer and career development specialist before retiring.

Eileen and her husband, Joe, lived in Florida for 12 years before deciding they wanted to move closer to family. They moved to Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill in July 2020.

“My daughter-in-law researched all the different facilities, and last November, we came for a visit [to Masonic Village],” she said. “Masonic Village was the last facility we visited, and it just felt right. We were supposed to move in the first week of April, but then we ended up having to stay home an extra two months because we were in the height of the pandemic.

“I love the people here. They are very friendly. At some point, there will be more activities to participate in. It’s a nice, comfortable facility. It’s been a very pleasant experience.”

As much as Eileen enjoys bringing communion to her fellow residents, she’s looking forward to enjoying their company in church even more.