Third Sunday of Easter

Parish Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

Quarterly Update

Dear Parishioners of the Northwest Seattle Catholic Parish Family,

The Parish Family Advisory Council remains hard at work shepherding our parish family through the Partners in the Gospel process as we move toward the completion of our One Parish Plan. Thank you to everyone who has participated in listening sessions and shared your voice in this important journey so far.

This process was intentionally designed to include you—the faithful of our parish family. Rooted in the principle of co-responsibility, it recognizes that all the baptized share in the mission of the Church. Because of this, listening, discernment, and planning together remain at the heart of the One Parish Plan process. As we continue this journey, there will be more opportunities for all members of our parish family to share feedback, offer input, make recommendations, and prayerfully re-envision parish life together.

We are now wrapping up Phase 2, “Who are we?” and preparing to begin Phase 3, “Who do we want to become?” According to the Archdiocese, as of mid-March, approximately 69% of parish families were still in the “Who are we?” phase, while 31% had moved ahead into “Who do we want to become?” We are grateful to be right on track in this process.

Before planning for who we hope to become, it is important that we first understand who we are today. This means taking an honest and thoughtful look at the people, gifts, ministries, opportunities, and challenges that make up our parish family at this time.

During Phase 2, we completed four listening sessions: one at each parish focused on that community’s gifts and charisms (“What Are Our Gifts?” in October 2025), and one parish-family session centered on challenges and opportunities (“What Are Our Challenges and Opportunities?” in February 2026). Members of the PFAC also toured all three churches, both schools, and the associated parish buildings and facilities. In addition, we have continued meeting with members of the Parish Family Leadership Team, most recently with Ann DeVita, Communications and Development Manager, and Brigid McMahan, Director of Finance, who was joined by the Finance Council Chairs from Our Lady of Fatima and St. Anne.

As part of this phase, we have gathered important baseline information that will help shape our One Parish Plan, including:

• Evangelization metrics
• Utilization metrics
• Staff metrics
• Building maintenance capacity
• Financial viability data
• Demographic information to better understand both those within our parish family and the wider community around us

We are pleased to share that the synthesis from the “What Are Our Gifts?” listening sessions is now ready for review. Please look for the synthesis of the “What Are Our Challenges and Opportunities?” listening session next month.

As we move into Phase 3, the practical work of shaping our future together begins. We will start by holding community consultations to gather initial input around the question, “Who do we want to become?” The PFAC will then review and synthesize what we hear, draft a parish vision statement based on that input, and develop proposed initiatives to help bring that vision to life. Additional community consultations will follow to invite feedback on the drafted vision statement and initiatives. After prayerfully reviewing and synthesizing that feedback, the PFAC will prepare a revised parish vision statement and list of initiatives to submit to Fr. Freitag. Finally, we will incorporate his feedback and produce a final version—with his endorsement—of our parish vision statement and initiatives.

Earlier this year, we were pleased to welcome Brendon Faleiro from Sacred Heart of Jesus to the PFAC.

Thank you for your continued prayers, participation, and support as we move forward together in faith.

PFAC Members

Fr. Patrick Freitag, Pastor

Sacred Heart of Jesus—Brendon Faleiro, Micheline Lubin, Rose Tanudtanud

Our Lady of Fatima—Robert Dela-Cruz, Quentin Orem, Alice Shepard, Carrie Steen

St. Anne—John Campion, Susie Fritzky (Chair), Carmen Suazo, Javier Taylor (Vice-Chair)

Ex Officio Members—Fr. Anthony Kitema (Parochial Vicar), Deborah Baker (PG Integration Coordinator), Deacon Greg McNabb (Archdiocesan Liaison)

Syntheses of Listening Session 1, “What Are Our Gifts?” are linked here: Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Anne

To learn more about Partners in the Gospel, please visit the Archdiocese of Seattle’s website.

To view the full Q&A document regarding Partners in the Gospel, go here.

If you have yet to do so, we encourage you to read Archbishop Etienne’s annual letter here.

Vacation Bible School

Liturgical Ministry Training

The St. Anne Liturgy Committee invites you to serve through a ministry role. Trainings will be held at the following times in the church. Please RSVP here.

• Eucharistic Minister Training on Sunday, April 26th from 12:30-2pm
• Altar Server Training on Wednesday, May 6th from 2:15-4:15pm
• Lector Training on Sunday, May 17th from 12:30-2pm
• Sacristan Training – a mutually agreed upon date/time

Young Adults Upcoming Events

Wednesday, April 22: Faith Formation Talk

6:30 PM gathering, 7:00 PM Talk in St. Anne Narthex.

Join us for our monthly faith formation night. Fr. Kitema will give a talk at 7pm, followed by time for discussion. Arrive early to grab some refreshments and socialize.

Open Gym

Join other young adults for some gym time in Banchero. Fridays at 7:30 pm, April 10 and 17.

Queen Anne Food Bank

The Queen Anne Food Bank is in need of immediate volunteer help. Folks are needed for the following positions:

• Wednesdays from 8AM to Noon (distributing meals to folks at the door)
• Wednesdays from 9AM-11AM (driving the food bank van to two Queen Anne grocery stores to pick up food)
• Thursdays from 9AM-11AM (driving the food bank van to two Queen Anne grocery stores to pick up food)
• Thursdays from 9AM-3PM (helping with the grocery distribution program)

If you are interested in volunteering please email Katie O’Neill at koneill@ccsww.org

or call (206)379-4365.

Ministry of Catholic Cemeteries

Representatives from Associated Catholic Cemeteries will visit our parish April 25th and 26th to share information about the many choices and benefits of pre-planning at your Catholic Cemeteries. Planning long before there is an urgent need ensures arrangements in harmony with your faith and avoids the pressure of having to make these decisions while grieving. The Church teaches us that the custom of burying the bodies of the dead should be observed, even for those who choose cremation. Please call

(206-366-8834) or email (parish@MyCatholicCemetery.org) with any questions you may have about pre-planning in a Catholic Cemetery.

Come encounter Jesus in the Eucharist!

ASCEND’s featured presenters include renowned Catholic authors, speakers, apologists, and evangelists:

Chris Stefanick

Dr. Tim Gray

Andy and Sarah Swafford

Deacon Charlie Echeverry

Cost to attend is $25 for single attendee. Families with 3+ in same household is $60. Learn more and register here. If you would like to join others from the parish family who are going, reach out to Jessica Harris at jharris@nwseattlecatholic.org.