“Ad multus annos”               

With gratitude and appreciation …

As Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, and on behalf of the Catholic Hispanics throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle, I would like to acknowledge my joy and gratitude for your leadership and vision of From Guests to Hosts, on the occasion of your 50th Anniversary.

With the dramatic growth of the Hispanic community in the archdiocese, you did not shun the challenges, but faced them as life-giving opportunities and challenged all leadership throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle to engage pastoral planning at a scale that had not been done before. You embraced and welcomed a young and vibrant community and acknowledged the paramount value of education needed to affirm the Catholic identity of the Hispanic faithful, especially among children.

Your courage to uphold and defend the human dignity of immigrant workers and their families has become evident as you listen to their cry for solidarity.  Your remarks at the May Day March for immigrants’ rights, expressed your commitment to the prophetic work of Jesus, and to speak on behalf of the voiceless even when it is unpopular to do so.

You have challenged the Hispanic faithful to become stewards of the faith community. Though this concept is not well known to the Hispanic faithful, it is not foreign to them when their gifts and talents are welcomed and they are encouraged to move from “Guests to Hosts.”

Thank you again for all this, Many Blessings and “Ad multus annos”                

~ Eusebio Elizondo, MSpS, Auxiliary Bishop
Vicar for Hispanic Ministry

You have made lasting contributions to our local church, including reintroduction of our deacon formation program.  You recognized the necessity of having native-language speakers who could preach in the various languages of our people here in the archdiocese, and we now have native speakers preaching and teaching in our Hispanic, Laotian, Hmong, Vietnamese and Samoan language communities.

The catechetical and theological contents of the deacon formation program also provided a template for the formation of lay catechists.  With content that parallels that of the deacons, catechists in the archdiocese are better grounded in the material they teach in their parishes’ religious education programs.  Some 3,000 English-language and 2,000 Spanish-language participants are in some phase of the three-year certification process.

This has led to a real emphasis on the broad education enterprise here in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  You also provided oversight for writing the religious education curriculum for all the parishes and schools that follows the learning outcomes demanded of students in other academic areas.  However, you also have reminded all of us that knowledge of the faith is only one of the six tasks of catechesis outlined in the Holy See’s General Directory of Catechesis and have been a strong advocate for the importance of the other five catechetical tasks including evangelization, liturgical catechesis, formation in prayer, formation in mission and formation for community life.

Your emphasis on the centrality of the bishop in the preaching and teaching of the faith has made me keenly aware that my role as your auxiliary bishop serves as an extension of your ministry across Western Washington.  As a result, my ministry has been intimately tied to yours in drawing our people closer to Christ.  It has been a great privilege for me to witness the growth of our ministry these last ten years and to extend your ministry across the archdiocese.  We all are very grateful for your pastoral ministry and congratulate you on the 50th anniversary of your ordination.

~ Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Tyson
Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Archbishop Brunett’s picture adorns the wall in the reception area of the Catholic Schools Department.  Children stand with the archbishop around a globe of the world.  A smile creases the face of each child and the archbishop.  Behind this wonderful photo is a reality.  Archbishop Brunett has been an incredible support to Catholic Schools since his arrival in Western Washington 10 years ago.  With a dream that became a reality, Archbishop Brunett initiated the Fulcrum Foundation.  Lauded throughout the United States, Fulcrum is the right arm of the Catholic Schools in Western Washington with tuition assistance, aid to schools in need and a teachers’ professional program rewarding teachers with imaginative and creative projects and programs.  There is a glint in the eye and a smile on his face whenever our children and youth come into his presence. The Catholic Schools Blue Ribbon Study and the Strategic Planning in School Deaneries were launched with courage, and some risk, while the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Seattle brings the priority of Catholic Education to the front.  With 24,000 students, we offer thanks and praise for Archbishop Brunett as the shepherd-advocate of Catholic schools. 

~ Sister Joyce Cox
Former Superintendent of Catholic Schools; Delegate for Religious;
Delegate for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue

On behalf of the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Seattle, I express my thanks to Archbishop Brunett for his foresight in purchasing and refurbishing the Palisades Retreat and Faith Formation Center.  The Palisades is our center for the ongoing human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual formation of priests and deacons.  The Chapel of the Good Shepherd is a jewel in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  And the Archbishop throws good parties at the center as well!  Thank you, Archbishop Brunett.

~ Fr. Paul Magnano
Vicar for Clergy

Archbishop Brunett has inspired me tremendously.  In our first meeting together, he observed that campus ministry is an important source of vocations to both lay and ordained ministry.  He talked about his strong belief that lay ministers, working in collaboration with clergy, are a tremendous gift to the church.  He has demonstrated this belief by trusting, supporting and challenging me.  He listened to me, believing in me and mentored me in a way no one has ever done before.
It has been my privilege to work with Archbishop Brunett through some very difficult situations.  He approaches each of these with unswerving commitment to the truth and to doing the right thing, treating those involved with compassionate concern and support.  His deep love for the church sustains him always, and is a source of strength and faith for those around him. 
Archbishop Brunett has taught me the importance of always making time for people who need to be heard.  He emphasizes the importance of prayer, and I have witnessed its powerful effects in his life.  He has taught me more than he will ever know.  I am most grateful for the gift of working with him.

~ Mary Santi
Chancellor, Archdiocese of Seattle; Delegate for Human Resources

Since becoming Archbishop of Seattle Archbishop Brunett has expressed strong concern and support in his pastoral ministry for people in crisis as well as the poor and homeless of the region.  In the Archdiocesan Housing Authority, the church has opened seven housing projects for migrant-worker families from Woodland to Bellingham.  Additional projects are being developed each year to address the growing number of homeless and low-income seniors.  The Archbishop recently blessed the ground for the new Ozanam House for 56 homeless across from St. James Cathedral.  Catholic Community Services is currently the largest private provider of social services in the state of Washington. Whether it is chemical dependency treatment, aid for single mothers, counseling for people in crisis, or help for sick and housebound people, the Catholic Church provides people with a future full of hope.    

~ Fr. Ken Haydock
Episcopal Vicar for Charity

Soon after his installation, Archbishop Brunett formed an Archdiocesan Pastoral Council to assist him in shaping a vision for the Archdiocese of Seattle. The council’s membership reflected the incredible diversity of the archdiocese racially, ethnically, economically, geographically and theologically. He invited the council to share in his responsibility for listening to the many voices present in our church and articulating a vision that both unites and challenges.  He sat with them as they learned about the challenges facing our church and the resources available to address them.  He sent the members out as true disciples of Christ to the various regions of the archdiocese to listen to the needs of our people, to hear their dreams for our church, and to learn.  He personally worked with the council over many subsequent meetings of study and reflection to formulate a vision for our local church as articulated in A Future Full of Hope, a statement of vision and priorities.  This document is the foundation for much of what has been accomplished over the last decade as highlighted in the pages of this special anniversary edition of  The Progress.  The experience not only shaped the archdiocese and the archbishop’s ministry among us, but profoundly impacted the lives and faith of those who served on his Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.  

~ Dennis O’Leary
Delegate for Chancery Operations & Planning

There are two special things I have come to know and appreciate about Archbishop Brunett over the last ten years.  First and foremost is his love for, commitment to and belief in the church.   The second is his strong belief that the Catholic Church has values that are not only important but necessary for the good of society.  He believes that we need to stand up for these values and promote them publicly.   He is also a man with tremendous energy.  I believe this energy comes from his deep sense of hope.  He never gets discouraged by challenges.  He believes that through the grace of God all good things can be accomplished.

~ Pat Sursely
Delegate for Administration and Finance

I have often told the story of Archbishop Brunett’s first visit to the archdiocese, on the day he was announced as our new Archbishop. The chancery staff was invited to a reception at Connolly House. I overheard the archbishop walking about the room, introducing himself and asking, “Are you in the faith formation department?” to each little group.  At the time of Archbishop Murphy’s death, we were in mid-reorganization and for that moment, there was no operating faith formation department. Like the widow searching for her lost dime, the archbishop was leaving no stone unturned.  After many tries and no takers, you could see that he was puzzled.  A year after his arrival, the Archbishop established the Office of Catholic Faith Formation. His invitation to me to serve as his delegate for the new office was an honor.  I have always felt sure of his concern and commitment to the ministry and tasks associated with passing on the faith. He has followed through with amazing support in the development of many formation initiatives including: catechist certification, deacon formation, Hispanic faith formation programs, Chrism Day for all parish leaders, the Christifideles program as well as development of the religious education curriculum for parishes and schools, the [I]Formation for Love and Chastity [i] document and programs, the Mastery of Catechism certification program and parish faith formation policies, the first ever promulgated.  The General Directory of Catechesis states:” The bishops are beyond all others the ones primarily responsible for catechesis and catechists par excellence”. ( GDC 222) Archbishop Brunett has fulfilled this mandate with great care and vision.

~ Dr. Mary Cross
Delegate for Catholic Faith Formation

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me…” (John 10:14)
For me, Archbishop Brunett brings to life the parable of the good shepherd.  After 10 years of service and leadership as our shepherd, he knows, understands and loves the unique and diverse people who make up the flock that is this local church.  And we have come to know, understand and love him. 
I have had the honor to serve Archbishop Brunett in a variety of roles, extending his ministry, always mindful of the concern and love he has for his flock.  He has trusted me. He has empowered me.  He has challenged me.  Through it all, I have witnessed and experienced firsthand his care and concern for those he serves and watches over.   
I am proud to be one among many in a large and growing community of Catholics.  I look to my shepherd and “follow him, because (I) recognize his voice.”  (John 10:4)  Thank you Archbishop for shepherding me, for shepherding us. I pray for continued blessings in the years ahead.

~ Stephen J. Hueffed
Delegate for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

At the time of the announcement of Archbishop Brunett as the new Archbishop of Seattle in October 1997 The Catholic Northwest Progress published an interview with him. I read it with particular interest since he listed as one of his accomplishments as Bishop of Helena his involvement with the Catholic cemeteries there. This left me wondering what archbishop’s expectations might be.  I have found since then that Archbishop Brunett is actively involved in the ministry of Catholic cemeteries in our archdiocese. As he has told me many times “our cemeteries are important because they touch the lives of people.” He also reminds me that “our cemeteries are about the value of life.” Archbishop is passionate about being a pastor – being present to people at the important moments in their lives. He places particular value on ministry to the sick, the dying and those who have lost a loved one to death. Archbishop regularly presides at liturgies at the Archdiocesan cemeteries to lead prayer and affirm these values. His passion to be present to people has challenged us who serve at the archdiocesan cemeteries to be caring and compassionate as we extend his ministry of pastoral care.

~ Richard Peterson
Director of Associated Catholic Cemeteries