His official title is Monsignor John J. Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities. A lofty title earned through hard work, perseverance and an unyielding commitment to serving his parish and serving the poor. But mention the name “Monsignor Enzler” to any Washingtonian, and you might get a puzzled look.
“Oh, you must mean ‘Father John’!”.
Father John, as he is widely known, has been serving as a Catholic priest in the Washington, DC area for the past 44 years. In that span, he has presided over 2,000 weddings, over 1,000 funerals and over 4,000 baptisms. He is ingrained into the fabric of the local community and his boundless energy and contagious work ethic has catapulted him to legendary status in and around Washington, DC.
When you are in the presence of Father John, you are in the presence of a benevolent tornado of activity.
The Early Years
That wasn’t always the case. Born into a loving and large family with eight sisters and four brothers, Father John struggled to make his mark in the world. As a high school student at St. John’s, he was an average achiever who battled with reading issues and never fully reached his potential.
It was during this period that he first felt a calling to the priesthood. But lacking confidence and direction, he tried to duck it and push it out of his mind. Perhaps forever.
Hitting His Stride
After graduation, his priest uncle helped to pay his tuition at tiny Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Finally, Father John was a BIG FISH in a small pond. This environment instilled him with confidence and provided the launching pad he needed for his life.
Father John excelled at tennis. He overcame his reading issues and transformed from an audio learner into an avid reader. He served as a RA and worked with children with disabilities. More importantly, he formulated a plan for success and fulfillment that has guided his actions ever since.
At Loras, he discovered that by working hard, deeply caring, and saying YES to people’s needs, he could deeply impact the lives of all those around him. It wasn’t hard for him to say yes. It made him feel good. And the more he said yes, the more it energized him and opened up his capacity to give.
With a default mindset of YES, Father John no longer tried to shake his calling. He said yes! He excelled at seminary at Mount St. Mary’s and launched into priesthood with confidence, enthusiasm and conviction. Saying yes had changed his life.
The Power of YES!
Father John yearned to make a difference. And he worked tirelessly each day to make it happen. There was no looking back.
Can you preside over my wedding?
YES!
Can you visit my father in the hospital?
YES!
Can you provide extra counseling in the middle of the night?
YES!
Can you lead this parish with conviction?
YES!
Over the course of the next 40 years, Father John served as the pastor for three different parishes and held various leadership positions within the Church. He loved the sense of community. He loved the families. And he loved teaching the children.
But he will always go where he is needed. And six years ago, the Church needed him at Catholic Charities, where he would tirelessly serve as “The pastor for the poor”. Of course, he said yes!
And along the journey, Father John discovered that he had one more intrinsic skill. Because he opened his heart and said yes to so many people in his life, he became a tour de force for fundraising. He never had any formal training, but how do you say no to the man who always says YES?
As a result, Father John has raised money for countless causes, helped build parishes from the ground up and helped comfort and clothe the needy around the city and around the world.
This is the power of opening your heart and just saying yes!
Imagine a World Built on Yes!
What if more people had a default position of saying YES?
Can you imagine how much more efficient our sales organizations would be? Can you imagine how much more effective our leadership would be? Can you imagine how much more fulfilling our relationships would be? Can you imagine how much more loving our parenting would be? Can you imagine how much more resilient we all would be?
A world built on yes opens up endless possibilities. We no longer close ourselves off to change. We no longer fear failure. We longer build up walls around us. And we no longer revel in other people’s misfortune.
Saying yes is not easy. It takes effort and commitment. It takes energy and enthusiasm. But it allows us to explore new areas. It allows us to fulfill the needs of our loved ones. And it allows us to change the world, one YES at a time!
How Do We Measure Success?
Father John continues to run Catholic Charities with the same conviction and transformational energy that permeates everything he does in his life. At nearly 70 years old, there is no slowing him down.
But what is his definition of success? Over the years, he has developed a simple measuring stick to mark his daily progress. Every evening, he sits down and reflects on the same question:
“What did I do today to take care of people’s needs?”
This question fuels his passion and provides him the energy to keep saying yes. And isn’t that a great measuring stick for all of us?
Where Do We Go From Here?
So what is next for Father John?
Not surprisingly, he has big, life-changing ideas:
Build a day-shelter for the homeless. Hire more social workers to care for the poor. Institute a workforce development program to counsel the needy.
If any one of these initiatives comes to fruition, it would fundamentally change thousands of lives.
But would you bet against him accomplishing all three? Of course not! How do you say no to the man who always says YES?
Father John’s simple message applies to all of us. Stay resilient! Keep working! Believe in your cause! And don’t be afraid to keep saying YES!
Until next week, keep smiling!
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Great story and loved the pictures !
Yes, indeed! Old school pics. Gotta love it.
Great article this week on a great man and example.
Thanks, Em. How could you go wrong with Father John?
he is a great story and you told it very well!
Thanks, Doug. Father John made it easy.
Rob, these touch me each week but specifically with this weeks blog! You nailed Father John’s spirit, faith and love for all of us. Loved seeing my dad in one of the pics off to the left. Brings tears to my eyes of how much brotherhood there was between Father and my dad! Thanks for the continued great words each week
Thanks, Lynn! And great attention to detail in finding the picture of your dad. Awesome. Was that orange juice he was drinking? 🙂
I’ve been the recipient of one of the many yes’s from Father John. Taught me to say “yes” a lot more for the right reasons. Thank you for the reminder, Rob, as well as a great story of Resiliency by Father John.
Yes can be contagious! Appreciate the note, Tom, and hope all is well.
This was a great story- what a great way to start the week.
Ha. Thx, Jen. Start off the week with a YES!
Awesome profile! We are so blessed to have such a tremendous man of commitment and faith in our community. Saying yes all the time does take serious commitment. Because Fr. John does say yes so often, he never hears “no”. What an incredible example of resiliency.
Well done Rob!!
Yes indeed, Brian. To say yes takes an extraordinary amount of commitment, schedule juggling, work, etc. But it’s all worth it for the way it makes people feel. Legendary! Thanks for the read.
All 12 of Fr. John’s sisters and brothers are proud of him and the people who respond to his love and energy
Jerry! Great to hear from you and thanks for reading. Father John is a legend. You have an amazing family.
I married into that great big wonderful family (to a niece of John’s and Jerry’s). Seems like all hundred of them are “Say Yes” people, so it’s gotta be contagious – it has sure rubbed off on me! Oh, and you’ll never guess who actually married me into the clan. 🙂
Perfect way to enter a great family, Mike! They are “say yes” people.
Excuse typos- sent from IPHONE
Such a great read about a Man who has made such a difference in the Washington DC Archdiocese.
Father John has been a Spiritual Compass for our family for many years. The list of stories are too long to number. Always saying “YES” to all our requests as a result Fa. John has made a difference in the lives of my family, to include by immediate sons, daughter wife and brothers and sister as well as my father.
One story that stands out over the many years was a baptism for the first of our four children. I remember 21 years ago the DC Region received over two feet of snow the night prior to the Christening at Our Lady Of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD. We ended up having the Sacrament performed by Fa. John even though all the areas roads had not yet been plowed and no one could attend except my brother (godfather) and his wife. I remember looking out the window thinking thus day is a bust and seeing Father John plowing down our street in his 4X4 vehicle the Koons Auto Dealer loaned him every year. Snow flying over the hood and windshield of his vehicle with his head sticking out the drivers door window. The Sacrament Of Baptism was completed and after the Christining we had tons of food from the caterer delivered the night before to eat until our stomachs burst sitting by the fireplace drinking Scotch as the snow continued to fall. To this day my 21 year old son, now at The Naval Academy, is affectionately referred to by Fa. Enzler as “The Blizzard Boy”.
We are all so very blessed to have such an amazing Shepard to help us in times of need as well as celebrate the many beautiful ceremonies and holidays year in and year out. I know we’re a better family today because of our numerous encounters over the years with Father John Enzler (very much our George Bailey). I embrace with a joyous obligation to ‘pay it forward’ and be equally Christ-like in behavior demonstrated to me by such a Spiritual mentor like few others I’ve ever met.
I am a better person as a result of knowing this man.
David Kane
Sent from my iPhone
Wow. Great story, David. And a testament to Father John’s perseverance, dedication, and “say yes” philosophy!
Great article on a great man.
No question, Chris. Thanks for reading!
I just read through all these wonderful comments. They bring back fond memories and lots of smiles. To all who commented, thanks. It means a lot to me. Just say “YES”!
Amen!!
A great man indeed. After years of my dad going to church & receiving communion, Fr John came to my fathers hospital bed a few days before he died. My mom revealed that my dad wasn’t really Catholic, but wanted to be buried with his Catholic friends & eventually my mom at Gate of Heaven. After his blessings and anointing Fr. John declared him a Catholic. My dad was able to die in peace thanks to Fr. John and now rests in Gate of Heaven. A big Yes we will forever appreciate.
Missy, that is an incredible story. So great and the ultimate final gift. Can’t think of a bigger “yes”.
Another great article Rob! Gotta love Fr John! Please remind me to tell you his “laps for Jesus” story someday – a true classic story like to the man we know and love! I am proud to say Ellen and I were privileged to have Fr. John on the alter for our wedding 18 years ago! What a man – he always says “yes”. Tommy Sullivan GP’88 AMDG
AMDG, Tommy! Can’t wait to hear the story. Yet another wedding..
My dad, brother and I are forever grateful for Fr. John saying “yes” in my mom’s final days. He came to our house many times to pray with us and provide the spiritual support needed. Last December was the 25th anniversary of her passing. Fr. John’s calming and reassuring message in a Mass in her honor was very much appreciated.
Chris, that is an amazing story. Certain “yes’s” hold greater meaning. And none greater than the care and compassion shown in a loved one’s final days. 25 years? I remember it well and so glad Fr. John could provide comfort.
My dear cousin, Kathy, spoke so highly of this man. She loved him dearly and always spoke of the kind things he did for her and for so many.
Appreciate the note, Connie. He is still doing great things!