Partners General Resources
Annual Letter
Seattle, January 26, 2026
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne opened the new year with his annual letter summarizing the happenings of 2025 and sharing the vision for 2026. Here is an excerpt from his letter about Partners in the Gospel:
“This Partners in the Gospel process is our highest priority this year. Creating a strong faith community in the new parish family, celebrating the sacraments, proclaiming God’s Word and practicing charity in all its forms — this is what we are called to do amid today’s world and realities. The world changes, but Christ and his Church are always one and the same through the ages. But in every age, we must be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit seeks to form us into the Body of Christ in specific places and concrete situations — and those are the changing realities we are facing.
I encourage everyone to participate in the parish family consultation sessions that will take place over the next few years. Conversations may be difficult, but respectful, prayerful listening and dialogue provide the opportunity to rethink this present moment – to think about the larger Catholic community and the capacity of our resources, human and spiritual. We will need to let go of some of our own desires and comforts to courageously embrace a new way of fulfilling the Church’s mission. In the coming year, we will be asked to set aside our personal desires and listen attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit. In the process, we will discover God’s dream for us and make that dream our new reality!”
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of faith and for every effort to renew and strengthen Your Church in Western Washington through Partners in the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit truly make us partners in building up the Body of Christ.
At the same time, Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, we bring before You the faithful of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalama. This beloved historic church, a beacon along the Columbia River for generations, has been a place of worship for over 150 years. It is where families handed on the faith, where mothers taught children to love You, and where the sacraments nourished souls.
We pray with all our hearts: soften the hearts of our shepherds and leaders toward protecting our churches and our parishioners. Soften hearts to the pain of abrupt decisions and short timelines that leave little room for true dialogue or appeal. Soften hearts to the reality of trusted parishioners locked out of sacred buildings while the faithful are still asked to give their “fair share” to the broader Church. Soften hearts to see the deep wound of closing a living house of prayer in a small community that built, loved and cared for it for generations.
May Partners in the Gospel truly mean partnership: A partnership that listens to the cries of the faithful, honors the sacred heritage of historic churches, and seeks merciful, creative solutions that keep the light of faith burning in every corner of the Archdiocese rather than extinguishing it.
Through the powerful intercession of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, of workers, and of families, and under the mantle of Our Lady, we entrust this intention to You. May Your mercy triumph, repairs become possible, and this beloved church be preserved as a living center of worship for future generations.
Jesus, we trust in You.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Amen
Questions & Answers
(UPDATED 2/2/2026)
This updated Q&A is a compreshensive list of questions that have been asked about Partners in the Gospel. Click on the button below to explore topics like, What does the final plan look like?; Are other dioceses doing this?; Why are we doing it this way?; Does this mean churches/parishes are closing?; How will naming work?; What does Partners in the Gospel mean for priests?; What does this mean for deacons?; How will Partners in the Gospel help us better cultivate priestly vocations?; What can we do now?; and more...
Partners in the Gospel - Prayer
