It hasn’t even been three months since I stepped down from the president and CEO role at Catholic Charities, but it didn’t take me long to realize that retirement will be a very different experience for me. I’m sure many of you can identify.

In fact, I did something very different right away: I took an entire month off, my longest vacation in probably 25 years. I enjoyed the hospitality of four families who let me use their houses in Vero Beach, Delray Beach, North Miami and Hilton Head. What a gift to have friends who out of the goodness of their hearts encouraged me to take some time away and offered me their homes to make it possible.

It was a spectacular month of reading (lots of reading), eating excellent meals, cooling off in swimming pools, and enjoying the company of friends and family. I was also able to pray more, which I hope to continue doing throughout retirement.

I can’t say I’ve had any revelations so far, but I do think I’ve already slowed my pace a little bit. I celebrate Masses slower than I used to. I don’t feel rushed when I pray. I think I even talk a little slower. 

People often say I talk too fast, and they are right. I like to say it’s because I grew up in a large family (13 children), so I needed to be fast to get a word in edgewise. I think I became less aware of it through the years, but I do work at it more than most people think. Maybe slowing down in general will help.

I am now eagerly embracing new roles in retirement, like becoming chaplain at St. John’s College High School. I celebrate early Mass (7:15 a.m.) in the chapel there four days a week for students, faculty and anyone who wishes to come. I then spend some time with the students and head to the counseling office, where I am available for at least an hour and a half for any discussion, support or help I can give. 

I just started a few weeks ago, but I love it. I knew I would. A big part of my priesthood has been being around young people. I am energized by their enthusiasm, their love of life, and their desire to grow educationally, athletically, artistically and spiritually. I am there to help anyone I can in any way I can. 

I no longer lead Catholic Charities, but I remain committed to the agency. My title is now mission advocate, a role we created at the suggestion of Cardinal Wilton Gregory. He asked about a year ago if I would stay on if the new CEO was not a priest to help us stay in the right lane and follow our mission as we respond to the call of Jesus and the Church to serve the needs of all. 

We have a wonderful new CEO in Jim Malloy, who is already doing a superb job. We have a wonderful board, amazing staff, and incredible volunteers and donors. I know we will stay true to our mission of serving all who come our way, not because they are Catholic (that has never been a requirement) but because we are Catholic, in the famous words of Cardinal James Hickey.

I will also help with some fundraising efforts, especially with longtime supporters and friends. One of my big hopes for the coming year is that longtime donors who may have started giving because of our relationship will continue giving because they care deeply about the people Catholic Charities serves – the poor, the homeless, the vulnerable and the needy. 

I am also now helping retired priests preside over burials and funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. I’ve joined a group of about 10 priests who do this regularly. I preside at funerals once or twice a month for individuals who served and desired a Catholic burial. Unfortunately, there are not enough chaplains available at times, and I am honored to assist in these sacred moments.

I love retirement (so far). 

I couldn’t be happier with where I am in my ministry.

I am excited about all we accomplished at Catholic Charities and all the great things still ahead for this amazing agency. 

And I love writing for our archdiocese’s outstanding newspapers, the Catholic Standard and the Spanish language El Pregonero.

God is good, and God is in charge. I look forward to what’s ahead as my ministry and journey continue, doing the work God calls me to do as one of his priests. 

(Msgr. John Enzler serves as the mission advocate of Catholic Charities of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and is a chaplain at his alma mater, St. John’s College High School in Washington. He writes the Faith in Action column for the archdiocese’s Catholic Standard and Spanish-language El Pregonero newspapers and websites. )