Pastoral Care Services

Pastoral Care Services is a ministry of the Office of the Vicar for Clergy which provides training and support to pastors, parish staffs, consultative leadership, and individuals with special emphasis on inclusion of persons with disabilities, pastoral care for persons with HIV/AIDS, and pastoral care of the sick and dying.

Vision Statement

In keeping with the Gospel of Jesus Christ especially as Christ proclaimed, "Father, may they be one in us as you are in me and I am in you," (Jn 17:21) the Church in Western Washington sees itself as an archdiocese where all persons irrespective of physical or mental disability are accepted, welcomed and included as full and equal members in the life of parishes and faith communities.

We value such inclusion as a right for every Catholic to develop his or her potential to the fullest. We see ourselves in solidarity with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops which stated that "There can be no separate church for people with disabilities. We are one flock that serves a single shepherd." (NCCB 1978 Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities)

Along with St. Paul, who saw himself thusly: "For when I am weak I am strong," (2 Cor 12: 10) we see the vulnerability of those with challenges as the strength of Christ in us.

We embrace the pastoral commitment of our archbishop: "Those of you serving in the Inclusion Ministry recognize the often challenging needs of all persons with disabilities. The Church must be a place of warmth and welcome, a place of refuge for persons who have struggled to find their place in the world." (Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett, Mass of Installation, December 18, 1997)