Multicultural Ministry

Our archdiocese embraces cultural diversity as a strength of our Church while promoting unity among all Catholics.

Bishop Schuster 2025 at Simbang Gabi_I2-min

Letter from Bishop Schuster, Vicar for Multicultural Ministry

"In the Archdiocese of Seattle, our parishes and communities bring together people from many
nations, languages, and cultures. We are blessed with a Church that reflects the beauty of the Body of Christ. As such, when we talk about multicultural ministry, I do not see it as another program or initiative. Multicultural ministry simply calls us to recognize who we are as one
People of God...."

Read the full letter

We Support and Celebrate Cultural Communities

We meet with the leaders of each cultural community throughout the year, listen to their concerns, and work with archdiocesan leadership to provide guidance and support.

We welcome all cultural communities together several times a year to foster understanding among them, to encourage them to participate in archdiocesan events, and to utilize and enrich the archdiocese’s resources and services.

Upcoming Events

All Multicultural Ministries - Highlights

November

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

St. James Cathedral

804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USA

Celebration of Our Saints Mass

Join us in celebrating the saints from our diverse cultural communities in the annual Celebration of Our Saints Mass. ...

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20 - 21

November

Seattle University - Student Center

901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

2026 Annual BCAC Conference – “Black Catholics: Historical Presence and Reparatory Justice”

All are welcome to join us in celebrating Black Catholic History Month at the Black Catholic Advisory Circle (BCAC) Annual Conference. ...

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December

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

St. James Cathedral

804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USA

29th Annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass

Join Bishop Frank Schuster and Catholics from across the archdiocese for this festive, colorful and prayerful Filipino Advent celebration. ...

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No event found!

Advisory groups

Black Catholic Advisory Circle

Racial Justice and Equity Committee

Meet our active* Catholic communities

These communities live their Catholic faith celebrating Mass in their languages and organizing prayerful and colorful celebrations around our archdiocese and at St. James Cathedral.

AFIO MAI! (Welcome)

The St. Peter Chanel Samoan Ministry joins together in prayer on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 12.00 pm.

About the Samoan Community
The goal of the St. Peter Chanel Samoan ministry is to create a central location for Samoan Catholics in Western Washington where they can unite in fellowship, strengthen their faith and celebrate liturgical celebrations in their native language. The ministry is commited to promoting harmonious relationships among all parishioners and to help nourish faith and spiritual growth.

Read more about the Samoan community at Holy Cross here

St. Peter Chanel is the Patron Saint of the Samoan Community.

Join us on the 2nd & 4th Sunday at 12:00 pm

Swahili

Tamil

Vietnamese

*Active indicates the communities hold Mass in their language, sponsor event(s), have a presence at a parish and offer ways to get involved. In addition to our active groups, we have many other Catholic communities in the area.

Annual multicultural events

Celebration of Our Saints

Simbang Gabi

This novena of Masses expresses the love of the people for God through His Mother,
Mary, as we gather in prayerful anticipation of the Christmas miracle. The readings, the
prayers and the songs at Mass remind us all of our need for God in our lives and the necessity of taking time to reflect on our relationships with God and with one another at this special time of the year.

______________________________________

What is Simbang Gabi?

Learn more here

Martin Luther King Mass

Concert in Celebration of Día de los Muertos

The Concert in Celebration of the Day of the Dead began in 2024 as a collaboration between the Intercultural Integration Department and Orquesta Northwest. The event includes the creation and decoration of an Altar de Ofrendas in the St. James Cathedral Chapel one week prior to the concert. All are welcome to visit the chapel and place photographs of their deceased loved ones on the altar as a way of honoring their earthly lives and praying for the repose of their souls.

The concert itself is a vibrant celebration of faith, culture, and remembrance, featuring Mozart’s Requiem, mariachi music, and traditional dances inspired by the Mexican Día de Muertos celebration. Through music, prayer, and cultural expression, the event offers an opportunity for the wider community to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mass and Celebration

Black Catholic Advisory Circle Annual Conference

The Black Catholic Advisory Conference, celebrated every year during the month of November, provides an opportunity for all members of the Church and the broader community to reflect on the rich history, enduring legacy, and significant contributions of Black Catholics to the life of the Catholic Church. Open to all, the conference features inspiring guest speakers, engaging panel discussions, and opportunities for prayer and reflection that deepen understanding, foster dialogue, and celebrate the gifts of the Black Catholic community.

Our Lady of Veilankanni

The Indian Catholic community from the region of Tamil Nadu began celebrating their Marian devotion to Our Lady of Velankanni at St. James Cathedral in 2026. This joyful celebration inspired Catholics from across the Archdiocese to come together in honor of Our Lady of Good Health, fostering prayer, fellowship, and cultural exchange. Through a beautiful Mass and festive reception, participants had the opportunity to share in the rich spiritual traditions of their Tamil brothers and sisters, strengthening the bonds of faith and unity within the local Church.

Learn more at

India: Thousands celebrate Nativity of Virgin Mary at ‘Lourdes of the East’ - Vatican News

Resources and Trainings

Multicultural Resources

Best Practices for Shared Parishes: So That They May All Be One

Creating a Culture of Encounter: A Guide for Joyful Missionary Discipleship

Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters

Two Rivers Report on Catholic Native American Culture and Ministry

2025 Black Catholic History Month Toolkit for Parishes (prepared by the Racial Solidarity Network of North Seattle)

Timely Resources for Ministry with Catholics of African Descent

Black Catholic History Month Facts

Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry

Biblical Standards of Behavior

Training Opportunities

These training programs are designed to form disciples who can return to their communities as agents of encounter, unity, and evangelization. The Intercultural Integration Department's goal is to cultivate a growing network of Building Intercultural Competence Facilitators and Building Cultural Humility Ambassadors who can help spread the Good News and foster a deeper appreciation for the diversity of cultures that enrich our Church, while strengthening communion across the Archdiocese and the Northwest region.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact our departrment at: intercultural@seattlearch.org

Programs currently offered

Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers
The Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers manual is designed to help ministry leaders achieve a basic level of awareness and proficiency in the area of intercultural competency through the five guidelines recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.

NEW PROGRAM
Building Cultural Humility in Ministry
Developed by Dr. James Knight, the Office for Catholic Schools, and the Intercultural Integration Department. This program was possible thanks to the Fulcrum Foundation.

The BCHM e-learning curriculum consists of 9 chapters, delivered through 9 videos of approximately 5 minutes each, along with a workbook that supports reflection, discussion, and practical application. Each video focuses on a specific topic, and every video chapter corresponds to a matching chapter in the workbook.

The BCHM curriculum is designed to encourage both personal growth and collaborative learning, helping participants develop and practice humility in everyday leadership situations.

You can become a BCHM ambassador! All you have to do is watch the Program Launch Recording and Sign up here to attend the first training online November 12 to become a BCHM ambassador.

Bishop Frank Schuster welcomes you to the Building Cultural Humility in Ministry Program

"I believe this training will be beneficial in helping us recognize the dignity, experiences and gifts that people bring from cultures different from our own."

~ Bishop Frank Schuster, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle and Vicar for Multicultural Ministry

Contact

Director of Intercultural Integration
Make Gallitelli
make.gallitelli@seattlearch.org

Multicultural Ministry is part of Intercultural Integration in the
Office of the Vicar General.