Coworkers in the Vineyard Lay Ministry Convocation

Lay ministers in the Archdiocese of Seattle are welcome to join us for the annual Coworkers in the Vineyard Lay Ministry Convocation on Thursday, April 23, from 9 am to 2:45 pm at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland.

Archbishop Etienne will provide guidance for lay ministers, and Deacon Frank DiGirolamo will give insight into Pope Leo’s Dilexi te.

This event is for all professional lay ministers, and we encourage all laypeople who work for the Church in ministry and parish administration to attend.

This year’s gathering will focus on two connected themes:

• Sacred Heart of Jesus: As Archbishop Etienne’s 2026 Annual Letter notes, “In June, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the United States Conference of Bishops will consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an opportunity for many to learn about this beautiful devotion and see how it can transform our lives.” Archbishop Etienne will be our keynote speaker and he will share his thoughts on how to live this devotion more deeply.
• Dilexi te, On Love of the Poor: Archbishop’s letter also notes that “It’s all about love” and “love must be embodied in concrete actions, especially toward the poor and marginalized.” This is also the theme of Pope Leo’s first apostolic exhortation Dilexi te, which emphasizes that true Christian faith is inseparable from our love and care for the poor. Deacon Frank DiGirolamo will share insight into the Holy Father’s words and offer inspiration for incorporating this call into our pastoral planning and envisioning. Last year’s gathering saw the election of Pope Leo, and now we come together to prayerfully reflect on the themes of his first apostolic exhortation and find new and creative ways of living our mission.

Schedule:

9 am           Registration and coffee

9:30 am     Welcome and introductions

9:45 am     Keynote: Archbishop Etienne

10:30 am   Break

10:40 am   Small group discussions by ministry area

11:15 am     Mass

12 pm         Lunch and networking

2 pm           Small group discussions by parish family

2:30 pm     Closing remarks

2:45 pm     End of day

Registration opens the last week of February.  Check back for the registration link!