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.
Parish families form
On July 1, 2024, the 136 parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle became 60 parish families, with eight stand-alone parishes. Each parish family is led by a pastor or pastoral coordinator, and many have a parochial vicar assisting. Together, over the next three years, the parish family will work to form one new canonical parish, while creatively re-envisioning how they will serve their community.
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne released a letter to the People of God to commemorate this important and historic next chapter in the Archdiocese of Seattle:
Read Archbishop's letter
Official appointments
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne and the Priest Personnel Board released the Official Appointments on April 6, 2024, including pastors, parochial vicars and other assignments.
Official Appointments: PDF | Flipbook
Archbishop Etienne's announcement letter: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Final parish families
Final parish families for the Archdiocese of Seattle were announced February 3, 2024, after a year of careful planning and consultation.
Archbishop Etienne's announcement letter: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
What people are saying
We heard these expressions of hope from all around the Archdiocese of Seattle last year throughout the input and consultation process.
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.
Videos and reports
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
Click here to read the Parish Family Feedback Report published November 2023.
Learn more
After watching the videos above, learn more about Partners in the Gospel from the following resources.
Overview
Q & A
Glossary of Terms
What's next
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:
Partners in the Gospel - Prayer
Partners UPDATE newsletter
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Perspectives 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
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
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