About the Process

Partners in the Gospel is a project that was launched by Archbishop Paul Ettiene aimed at renewing the life of the church within the Archdiocese of Seattle through a pastoral restructuring initiative. This multi-year process is intended to foster close collaboration of parish congregations so that the church may better meet the needs of local communities.


Every single parishioner is invited to participate in this process by joining in prayer, dialogue and attending the Partners in the Gospel listening sessions.

Sessions and Surveys

Partner's Demographics

Please view these files to see important survey information concerning the Skagit parish communities.

Download File

Challenges and Opportunities

Partners in the Gospel Synthesis of What are our challenges and opportunities?

Family #3

 

Challenges in the Wider Community

  • Ongoing homelessness and poverty.
  • A growing homebound and retired population experiencing isolation.
  • Increased vulnerability among undocumented immigrants and families living in fear of possible ICE enforcement.
  • Limited resources to adequately respond to the needs of the most vulnerable.


Challenges Within the Parish

  • Fear among parishioners of losing the parish’s unique identity.
  • Concern about potential parish closure.
  • Decline in youth involvement.
  • Insufficient attention to youth evangelization and support for families with children and teens.
  • Lack of consistent events and formation opportunities for youth and young adults.
  • A limited sense of being one unified parish community, particularly between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities.


Opportunities Before Us

  • Intentionally build bridges between Hispanic and English-speaking communities through shared liturgies, events, and service projects.
  • Re-energize faith formation so that it extends beyond sacramental preparation.
  • Develop leadership roles for deacons and lay leaders, allowing priests to focus more on pastoral care and spiritual leadership and less on administrative responsibilities.
  • Strengthen support systems for families within the parish.


Who Do We Want To Become?

Family #3 Synthesis “Who Do We Want To Become”



April 23, 2026


Dear Parishioners,

We are nearing the completion of Phase 3, “Who Are We Called to Become?”, in the Partners in the Gospel parish planning process—a three-year pastoral initiative launched in 2024 by Archbishop Etienne and continuing through 2027. Throughout this phase, we have been listening carefully to you, the faithful, gathering your insights and experiences to help shape a shared vision and practical plan for our future as one Canonical Church.

This work is guiding us toward a strong and sustainable path forward—one that supports vibrant parish life and strengthens our mission to live and share the Gospel.

We are deeply grateful to all who participated in the listening sessions. Your hopes, concerns, and ideas are essential to this journey. A summary of what was shared in your parish can be found in this week’s Flocknote.

The following reflects common themes and insights shared across all parishes:

Who Is God calling us to become as a new parish? What is our vision?

  • A united parish family—one holy, Catholic Church—rooted in Christ while honoring the unique identity and gifts of each community.
  • A unified parish with a shared mission, fostering deeper connection among all members—both Hispanic and Anglo.
  • A welcoming and inclusive community where all are seen as true brothers and sisters, and where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and valued.
  • A parish that actively supports its youth, welcoming, encouraging, and empowering young people to participate fully in parish life.

What new groups of people do we want to focus on or prioritize moving forward?

Who have we not been serving?

·        Youth, with an emphasis on deeper religious education beyond sacramental preparation, increased youth group participation, and expanded opportunities for children with special needs. This includes guidance and support for parents in their role as primary educators in the faith.

  • The elderly, homebound, sick, and those experiencing loneliness.
  • Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or living in poverty.

What new ministries and/or programs do we want to launch? Or which current ministries should we expand to fulfill our vision of what we aspire to become? Which existing ministries might God be calling us to reconsider or leave behind? Is there anything we should stop doing—or to which we should say ‘no’—to be able to say ‘yes to new ministries?

·        Nurture faith across all ages by creating meaningful formation opportunities for different age groups. This may include multiple youth groups and opportunities several times each year for an All‑Valley youth experience that brings young people together across our parishes.

  • Strengthen communication and participation in parish ministries through intentional promotion and volunteer encouragement. Ministry fairs or similar events can help parishioners discern where they are called to serve, while sufficient volunteer support will help prevent burnout and sustain healthy ministries.
  • Continue to strengthen outreach efforts by supporting and expanding the Food Bank ministry, deepening our commitment to feeding those in need and caring for our neighbors with compassion.
  • Offer additional liturgical and prayer opportunities, including Eucharistic and prayer services with trained lay leaders serving in leadership roles.

You can learn more about the Partners in the Gospel process by scanning the QR code on the image below or by visiting
 https://archseattle.org/partners/