We all have talents that often coincide with things we enjoy doing. This is undoubtedly the case for Andrew & Nicole Genenbacher – they enjoy party planning and have used that talent to start the parish block party. The couple co-chair the event which started when the Relationship Enrichment Team was looking for a May event. Nicole and Andrew pitched the idea with the sole purpose to build community. It includes food trucks, an exhibit from the Quincy Children’s Museum, yard games, a band, and a lot of fun.
Andrew owns and operates Frese Ornamental Nursery in Quincy with his parents and brothers. Nicole started teaching at our parish school in 2018. She teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes.
“Andrew uses his skills from work to help me with the Gardening Committee,” Nicole says. “His favorite way to serve the parish is by driving a hay rack ride at the October S’More Fun Event.”
“I love hearing all the laughter on the ride and being able to provide those memories for families,” Andrew adds.
The couple has two daughters — Ruth, 2, and Eleanor, who is almost 1. Even though Andrew and Nicole are busy working and raising their girls, they still find time to help at the parish. It’s important to them because St. Peter’s is like home. In addition to serving with the Gardening Committee, Nicole enjoys being part of the Soup and Smile Ministry.
“We were on the opposite side of Soup and Smile when we received soup after Eleanor was born,” Nicole says. “It made us both truly appreciate the work of the group. Now that our family as a whole has experienced the group, we work as a couple to include Ruth in the making of soup for others.”
Nicole hopes to see more people step up to help with a ministry — you won’t regret it once you get involved.
“We need more people to say ‘yes’ to involvement,” she says. “People are afraid to be in charge, but just because you volunteer doesn’t mean you are in charge.”
Nicole encourages others to find their passion in ministry and give some of their time.
“Stewardship is a way of life,” she says. “You don’t have to give thousands. You have talent and time, even if you don’t have the money. We hope our kids will see the example of giving our time.”
Being part of the parish family has been such a blessing to Nicole and Andrew. Nicole also loves being part of the school family. She and Andrew can’t wait for the girls to start school and be part of that. They are thankful to every parishioner here at St. Peter’s.
“We love this parish,” Nicole says. “We never feel judged for bringing our kids to church. We love how, after church, people hang around and talk. It’s a lively parish.”