A new supporting role at the agency will coincide with Father John’s 50th anniversary of ordination
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2022 — Rev. Msgr. John J. Enzler, who used the motto “Say Yes”
to grow Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington over the last 11 years, has
announced that he will retire as president and CEO next spring.
Catholic Charities, the most comprehensive social services agency in Washington, has been led
by Father John — as he is affectionately known — since May 2011.
In spring 2023, he will move to a supporting role in which he will continue to advocate for those
who live in poverty, support the agency’s social justice mission and fundraise.
The change in the agency’s leadership will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Father John’s
ordination as a priest in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Father John’s legacy
of service will be celebrated at the 2023 Catholic Charities Gala on April 1.
“Father John has served the poor with incredible devotion during his tenure as CEO of Catholic
Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington,” said Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop of
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. “His skills and ability to encourage others to
engage in the Church’s ministry of social justice has been a blessing that will be difficult to
replicate. Merely thinking about Msgr. Enzler’s approaching retirement brings me great pride
and deep gratitude.”
Said John Veihmeyer, chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors: “It is my great
privilege, on behalf of Father John’s many friends, former parishioners, and the employees,
clients and directors of Catholic Charities, to congratulate and thank Father John for his inspiring
leadership of Catholic Charities and his 50 extraordinary years as a priest.”
Catholic Charities DC serves more than 167,000 men, women and children per year in
Washington and five suburban Maryland counties. More than 50 programs provide care for
families, empowerment for individuals, food assistance, health care and other services. The
agency also operates some of D.C.’s shelters for those without homes.
Under Father John’s leadership, more than 2.9 million meals were served to the food insecure
and 7,301 people were provided medical and dental assistance in the last fiscal year.
“Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of doing your best to say ‘Yes’ in every possible
situation and ‘No’ only when you have to,” said Father John, 75.
With his call to action, the agency created new programs to serve people with specific, unmet
needs. They include the Compass program, which offers intensive case management for people
in Wards 7 and 8; and the Newcomer Network, which helps immigrants become established in
Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The Susan D. Mona Center in Prince George’s County was established during his tenure, as was
a large solar array in Northeast Washington.
During the pandemic, Father John led the agency through COVID-19 challenges to conduct
large-scale food distributions and create new teleservices, which allowed the agency to continue
to offer health services, job training and ESOL classes. As a result of his leadership, the agency
served more than 235,000 people — a record — in the pandemic’s first year.
In 2015, Father John welcomed Pope Francis during his visit to Catholic Charities’ downtown
headquarters. The pontiff greeted 500 people who were under Catholic Charities care and
recognized the compelling work of the agency.
“I am immensely proud of the work that we have done in support of those who are vulnerable,”
Father John said. “And I am very grateful for the commitment our staff has shown and for the
heart-warming support of our many donors and volunteers. While I no longer will hold the CEO
title next year, I will remain dedicated to helping Catholic Charities grow and serve.”
Before leading Catholic Charities, the Bethesda native served as pastor at three parishes in the
Archdiocese of Washington — Blessed Sacrament in D.C., Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac and
Mount Calvary in Forestville. He was associate pastor at the Church of the Little Flower in
Bethesda and held several roles with the archdiocese. He currently is in residence at St.
Bartholomew parish in Bethesda.
“Whether it was the unemployed looking for work, the hungry looking for food, or the homeless
looking for shelter, he has been there to serve,” said Kevin Virostek, chair emeritus of the Board
of Directors. “On a personal level, he has always been there to baptize our babies, preside over
the marriages of our children, counsel us in troubling times and bury our loved ones. He has
never demonstrated the ability to say ‘No’ — only ‘Yes!’”
A national search for a new CEO has begun by the firm Russell Reynolds Associates. Father
John’s successor will be chosen from among candidates identified by a search committee led by
Veihmeyer and Virostek.
Media: Rev. Msgr. John J. Enzler regularly attends the St. Maria’s Meals service, which is held
each Wednesday at 924 G St. NW, Washington DC 20001. For those interested in photos or
video, he will be assisting in serving the hungry at St. Maria’s Meals at 5 p.m. on Wednesday,
Sept. 21.
To schedule an interview with him, contact Kate Kennedy of Catholic Charities DC’s
communications department at Kate.Kennedy@cc-dc.org or 202-772-4312.
About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Catholic Charities DC is the largest independent social services agency in the Metropolitan D.C.
area. As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Washington, Catholic Charities DC invests in
communities by providing critical services to hundreds of thousands of people in need
throughout the District of Columbia and Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St.
Mary’s counties in Maryland. The organization works tirelessly to give help that empowers and
hope that lasts to those it serves regardless of background, belief or circumstance. For more
information, visit www.catholiccharitiesdc.org and follow us on social media @CCADW