Public Input Phase findings released
On November 16, 2023, the archdiocese released a letter from Archbishop Etienne and a Parish Feedback Report which synthesizes more than 3,000 pages of feedback from over 700 input session reports and 800 online forms during the Public Input Phase this fall. A review of the feedback was made by the Presbyteral Council, Priest Personnel Board, Oversight Committee, Partners Core team and Archbishop Etienne. As a result, proposed changes emerged for 25 parish families. From now until mid-December, there will be a second round of consultation with staff and parishioners with these 25 proposed parish families before a final recommendation is submitted to Archbishop Etienne at the end of the year. Final parish families will be announced early 2024.
Archbishop Etienne's letter: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Read Archbishop Etienne's Partners in the Gospel Pastoral Letter
In Archbishop Etienne’s pastoral letter, Partners in the Gospel: A Pastoral Letter to the Priests and People of the Church in Western Washington, he addresses the changes in our archdiocese over the last 10 years, his vision for parish leadership and structure, and ways to measure parish health and vibrancy. Read the letter:
Videos
Partners in the Gospel Introduction Video
Watch the video to learn more about this important initiative.
Current Reality Video - Understanding the Why
Provides a snapshot of the archdiocese today and outlines data and trends across the region.
Read the full Current Reality Report: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Partners in the Gospel - Prayer
What is Partners in the Gospel?
Partners in Gospel is the next stage of the strategic pastoral planning effort taking place across the Archdiocese of Seattle to re-invigorate and renew our local Catholic Church. It will bring most parishes together into a new family structure with two or more parishes. The pastor, parish leaders and parishioners will determine how this new family will best join together to carry out the mission of the Church as one parish.
Why do we need Partners in the Gospel?
Today we face many realities that impact parish life and make it difficult to fully live out our mission. This archdiocesan-wide renewal effort will help us better support vibrant, sustainable, mission-focused parish communities across the entire Archdiocese of Seattle.
Learn more
After watching the video above, learn more about Partners in the Gospel from the following resources.
Overview
Q & A
Glossary of Terms
Partners UPDATE newsletter
Subscribe to the Partners UPDATE for the latest information sent right to your email inbox.
Perpectives on Partners in the Gospel
Father Michael Dion, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Snohomish
Jesus Gomez Sanchez, parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Vancouver
Father Mike McDermott, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Tacoma
Father Carlos Orozco, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Kent
Rosa Luna, parishioner at St. Pius X in Mountlake Terrace
“Why is Partners in the Gospel necessary? I would simply say that with all of the changes that we're facing today, globally, culturally and within the church, it's very clear the status quo is no longer an option. It's very easy for us to just continue to keep doing the same thing and hoping that things will improve. That's not a strategy to make a difference.”
~ Archbishop Etienne
Subscribe to the Partners Update email ⊗