January 22, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ,

Surveys over the years indicate that one of the main reasons people buy a book is the title on its cover.
I remember being drawn to purchase one by former President Barrack Obama, primarily by its name “The Audacity to Hope.” It’s a title that is still compelling to me!

This week, there is a new title to the story of our life as the Catholic Church in Western Washington, “Partners in the Gospel.” It’s one that I hope grabs your attention and provokes interest and even excitement about being a Catholic in the archdiocese, in our North Seattle Deanery of local parishes, and here at St. Bridget’s. What’s this book all about you might be asking?

Partners in the Gospel is first and foremost and an invitation to advance the mission of the church, which is to help people encounter Jesus, accompany one another and live the joy of the gospel. Our pastoral council at St. Bridget’s has been working on that for the past two years through our synodal listening sessions and a strategic planning process that has identified key goals and priorities for our parish in the next 3-5 years. Stay tuned as we roll that out in the coming months.

As Catholics however, we are not independent and autonomous local congregations. We share a common mission and identity with our brothers and sisters in other local parishes in North Seattle. Partners in the Gospel will invite us to explore more collaborative ways of how we organize local parish life, and share resources, including clergy, to deepen our Catholic life and mission. This is a process that will bear fruit if we prayerfully discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit in renewing our life and mission as Catholics. Please refer to the video on our parish website for an overview of the Partners in the Gospel program.

As your pastor, I will do my best to communicate how this strategic planning process unfolds. There will be many opportunities for you to offer feedback on the plan as it develops. Like any kind of change, there will be challenges to face in the future of parish life, but if we stay focused on Christ, and committed to each other as “Partners in the Gospel”, I am hopeful about what our local Catholic Church will look like in the years to come. Let’s pray for each other!

St. Bridget of Kildare…pray for us! Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!


Fr. William Heric, Pastor