Pastoral Planning

“Let us not as Church be content to simply return to what was normal. We have been given by God this moment to redefine a new norm which more closely embodies who we are as Church and how we will continue to fulfill the mission of the Church, the mission of Jesus Christ.”

~ Archbishop Etienne, June 11, 2020

Pastoral Plan

Since March of 2020, the Archdiocese has been in a period of listening and planning. This has included an online survey of nearly 8,000 Catholics across the region, 90 listening sessions with Catholic parishioners and ministry leaders, and (most recently) participation in the Pope’s Global Synod, which sparked 1,000 synodal dialogues including more than 11,000 people.

On Pentecost of 2021, the Archdiocese of Seattle released a new pastoral planning process, with focus areas intended to help all Catholics re-examine and renew their relationship with Jesus. The focus areas are intentionally broad so that particular goals and actions may be developed according the unique circumstances, gifts and callings of each person, family, parish, school and ministry.

The archbishop envisioned and appointed a pastoral council to create a new pastoral plan with the people of God, receive ongoing input and consultation from the laity, and practice a spirituality of synodality whereby all People of God are journeying together (led by the Holy Spirit) to become the Church God is calling us to be.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Council

The archbishop envisioned and appointed a pastoral council to create a new pastoral plan with the people of God, receive ongoing input and consultation from the laity, and practice a spirituality of synodality whereby all People of God are journeying together (led by the Holy Spirit) to become the Church God is calling us to be.

“Our goal is to become a more mission-oriented church that continually draws people closer to Christ, regardless of where they are in their faith journey.”

~ Archbishop Etienne, June 8, 2020