Paul Pancho participates in many ministries at his parish, Blessed Sacrament, and at the diocesan level. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
When Paul Pancho first set foot in Blessed Sacrament Church in July 2015, he was awestruck.
The first impression he had of the Pauoa Valley church was its sincere, welcoming atmosphere. He liked Father Steve Nguyen.
And when the music started, Pancho was sold.
Since he is a singer, Pancho immediately joined in — two weeks later, he was a member of the choir.
“I love the down-home, village-like atmosphere and realness of the parish family,” he said.
From day one, it didn’t take Pancho long to get involved. In 2016, he joined the parish Pastoral/Stewardship Council, and soon became co-chair. Pancho “retired” from the council in 2023.
Pancho is also the lead cantor and a master of ceremonies. He serves on the parish Finance Council and has served two terms on the diocesan Stewardship and Development Council.
“All of these ministries are very special to me,” he said. “But, if pressed to pick a favorite, I would say cantoring. This worshipping and lifting my voice to our Lord brings me unequivocal peace and pure joy.”
Bishop Larry Silva also recruited Pancho to serve on the diocese’s new Spiritual and Mental Health Ministry, which will help parishes establish ministries for those facing spiritual and emotional challenges.
Pancho said he is very excited for this ministry to start because this is an important cause. Serving his parish and the diocese is such a blessing to Pancho.
“By nature, I am a people person, so being connected at the human level is very important for me,” he said. “Being involved in various ministries, projects and events within the parish encourages me to get to engage with and get to know many of my fellow parishioners on a personal, familial level.”
When Pancho thinks of stewardship, he can easily define it as “the essence of sharing one’s time, talent and treasure.”
“It is all to be shared freely and generously to thank and glorify an all-giving and all-loving Father,” he said.
Over time, Pancho has realized that it is essential to serve those in need. Some in our world are ignoring those in need, and he believes it’s time for those of us who care to serve.
For Pancho, it’s essential to share his gifts, and he simply can’t imagine keeping them all to himself.
“Unequivocally, I share my God-infused gifts and talents with all those around me so that I may, even in some small fashion, thank and glorify him for all that he has blessed me with,” Pancho said.
“For me, this is not a cliche. It is what I firmly believe and aspire to.”
He encourages everyone to use their gifts to serve their parish and community, even when busy.
“Take a moment to stop in our tracks,” Pancho said. “Take a deep breath or two and ask God for his wisdom and enlightenment to instill in each one of us how we might step forward to participate and fully engage in the spirit of stewardship — in our church and in our community at large.”
In his free time, Pancho enjoys fast walking. He also volunteers with community nonprofit organizations in fund development and marketing.
