The Engler Family Gratefully Embraces Opportunities to Serve God at St. Vincent De Paul

Stewardship is a journey. It’s a journey that can begin by simply joining one ministry — and before you know it, you’re sharing your time and talents in various ways. Paul and Jennifer Engler and their children, Grant, 18, and Mason, 13, have taken this journey and now find themselves helping in several ministries at St. Vincent de Paul.

Paul serves as a cantor and sings in the choir. Jennifer and Grant serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. Mason plays the cello with the choir. But the Engler family wasn’t always this busy at our parish. After becoming parishioners at. St. Vincent de Paul about seven years before, they realized something was missing from Sunday Mass.

“It was interesting being in church and realizing that something was missing,” Jennifer says. “It wasn’t the homily or words for the Bible — it was our lack of involvement. We needed to be a part of something to feel like we were contributing.”

Paul says the couple used the excuse of raising young children or being too busy with work. But one day, after they had begun attending Mass at St. Vincent de Paul, Jennifer asked Paul, “When are you going to sing again?”

“Shortly after that, someone spoke during the homily about stewardship,” Paul says. “They told the congregation ‘You can even do something once a month to help out.’ I knew right there that they were right and I couldn’t use those excuses anymore. God has given us so much. We have to give back, as well.”

So Paul, Jennifer, and their children have taken that advice. During the 2020 Christmas season, the Engler family contributed to the virtual Christmas concert. Paul sang and Mason played the cello as part of a trio with Director of Liturgy and Music Kevin Keil on the piano. The piece of music was composed by Kevin and is titled “Joseph’s Lullaby.” Grant videotaped and edited the concert.

Grant and Mason both agree that being involved at St. Vincent de Paul is an important and meaningful part of their lives.

“I feel closer to God when I am involved,” Mason says. “I also listen better to the homily when I am a part of the Mass — the words connect more.”

Mason enjoys taking his talents in playing the cello to God and the people of our parish. Paul enjoys having Mason with him at choir practices and having the opportunity to contribute their musical talents together.

“When you add the cello to a musical piece, it just takes it to another level,” Paul says. “It just goes so much further for people’s spirituality with the voice and instruments.”

Grant says his mom nudged him to consider serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion when he was going through Confirmation. He has missed serving during the pandemic because it is so meaningful to him.

For Paul, being involved as part of our parish worship experience — serving as a cantor and in the choir — is so meaningful to his faith.

“Being able to worship to music takes me to another level of connectivity with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit,” he says. “Sometimes, when I am singing I have to take myself out of the moment because I forget where I am.”

For Jennifer, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is a very important part of her faith life. She feels blessed to be able to distribute the Body and Blood of Jesus to her fellow parishioners.

“When I distribute Communion, I am reminded of the sacrifices Jesus made for us,” she says. “I hope that every day I am better modeling — for my kids and my students, my friends and my family — the sacrifice that was made for us by Jesus.”

Paul and Jennifer made the move to Texas about 18 years ago, when Jennifer accepted a position as a faculty member at Texas Christian University. Paul works at Dannon Yogurt as an industrialization manager. While Paul was raised Catholic, Jennifer went through the RCIA process in 2002 when the couple lived in Minnesota. Now, they are so thankful for the community they have found at St. Vincent de Paul. They both agree that being involved at St. Vincent de Paul has strengthened their family and faith life, more than they could have ever imagined.

“We pray a lot more at home and we pray openly in restaurants now,” Jennifer says. “There’s a difference in our lives. It’s like we opened the door and He came in. That’s what God does.”

Paul and Jennifer particularly appreciate their fellow parishioners and the example set by Fr. Philip Brembah.

“Father always says, ‘God is good all the time — all the time, God is good,’” Jennifer says. “We love that and we believe it to be very true.”

“The people here are so service-oriented,” Paul adds. “I believe we are called to leave this world a better place than when we came into it. The people at this parish live that out.”

The Engler family encourages everyone to find ways to use their talents to get involved at St. Vincent de Paul.

“If you find a way to even give back just once a month, you will be amazed what it can do for yourself or someone else,” Paul says. “If we can all give a little bit, it can go a long way.”

(From left) Mason, Jennifer, Paul and Grant Engler enjoy being involved with various ministries at our parish.