SEATTLE — Local Catholics are answering the call of Pope Francis to “live the joy of the Gospel,” Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in his annual letter to the people of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

“Here in our own archdiocese, we are sharing Christ’s love,” Archbishop Etienne wrote in his letter, released March 13, on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ papacy. “Together we are caring for the sick, welcoming the stranger, clothing the poor, accompanying one another and sharing the joy of the Gospel — all in an effort to respond to the mission Jesus gave us to ‘go make disciples,’” he said.

The archbishop acknowledged the “challenges and trauma” in the world, but also the gratitude to God for all his gifts: life, family, friendship, community, health, humor, generosity, hope and more.

“Recognizing that all we have is truly a gift from God helps remind us of his great love for us,” Archbishop Etienne said.

In the post-pandemic world, Archbishop Etienne was able to travel around the archdiocese, celebrating Mass in parishes and engaging with “thousands of people,” including parishioners, pastoral ministers, teachers and students at Catholic schools, and men and women in Church leadership roles.

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne visits St. Madeleine Sophie School in Bellevue in November 2022. (Stephen Brashear)

The archbishop said he “listened to heartbreaking stories of individuals who have been harmed through their experience of Church (and) visited and prayed with men and women who spend months at a time at sea.”

The past year, he said, “has been challenging, fruitful and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

He highlighted some of the year’s milestones:

  • Introducing Partners in the Gospel, the long-term pastoral planning effort for the entire archdiocese to re-envision and reinvigorate parish life while balancing the finite resources of volunteers, clergy, finances and more.
  • Hearing from more than 11,000 people around the archdiocese during Synodal listening sessions.
  • Welcoming new Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster.
  • Establishing the St. Joseph Foundation to provide long-term support for efforts that address the spiritual, educational and ministerial needs of our local Catholic community. Read about the first round of grants.
  • Creating the Catholic Healthcare Collaboration, an innovative partnership to transform the way Catholic organizations respond to the cry of the poor and those on the margins.

“It is a privilege to serve as your archbishop, and I humbly ask for your continued prayers,” Archbishop Etienne said. “Please be assured of my constant prayer for all of you and all of those who serve in our many Catholic parishes, schools and institutions in Western Washington.”

Read Archbishop Etienne’s complete letter:  English    Español    Vietnamese

Read Archbishop Etienne’s reflection, “Pope Francis: Ten years fulfilling the law in love.”