
The Parish Family Advisory Council (PFAC) plays a key role in the Partners in the Gospel journey by providing consultation to the pastor for the development of the One Parish Plan. This page is here to keep parishioners informed about the PFAC’s progress and its commitment to accountability within our Parish Family. More information about the responsibilities of the council can be found here. Full detail of the one parish plan available online in the Handbook for Parishes.
Dave Weston (SH) Council Facilitator
Teresa Cover (SA) Recorder
Emily Simburger (SB)
Matthew Covello (SB)
Zbig Kasprzyk (SH)
Tom Marino (SA)
Roberto Sales (Hispanic Community)
The PFAC will collaborate with several other groups that provide guidance and support throughout their journey. Two key partners in this effort are:
• Parish Family Leadership Team (PFLT): Formed by the pastor, the PFLT consists of staff members or volunteers in parishes without staff.
Father Jim
Debbie Johnson (SH) Partners in the Gospel Coordinator - creates meeting agendas
Patty Rumpza (SA)
Valerie Winston-Healy (SB)
• Parish Liaison: Hired by the Archdiocese of Seattle, Parish Liaisons accompany multiple parish families, offering guidance as local experts on Partners in the Gospel.
Tom East
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne commemorates this one-year milestone in this video. He also emphasizes how discernment will be critical as parish families work toward becoming one parish.
✅Phase 1: Organizing and Kickoff
PHASE 1 was completed April 3rd
Why: This foundational phase helps parish families begin the journey intentionally. It establishes a shared understanding of the One Parish Plan process and ensures that the right structures, support, and rhythm of work are in place before deeper discernment begins.
Possible Start: January – March 2025
Estimated Duration: 1–3 months
We begin by laying the foundation for our journey:
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Learn about the One Parish Plan process
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Establish an initial work schedule
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Identify any external support we may need
👉Phase 2: Who Are We?
Phase 2 began during our planning meeting on May 1st. We have completed the "Demographics" and the "Gift" surveys. Began planning next "Challenges" listening session.
Why: Before shaping a new future, it’s essential to understand our present. This phase encourages honest reflection on the gifts, demographics, and challenges of the parish family, ensuring decisions are grounded in reality and community input.
Possible Start: April – June 2025
Estimated Duration: 3–6 months
We take a deep dive into who we are as a parish family:
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Host community events to explore our gifts, challenges, and opportunities Currently In Progress👇
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Conduct a demographic and metrics review. Completed. Published goal date Oct 3rd
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Offer a survey, brainstorming session, or listening event asking, “What are our gifts?” Completed. Published goal date Oct 3rd
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Have the PFAC review, synthesize, and report the findings from the “What are our gifts?” session. Scheduled Sept 17th
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Hold a community listening event to answer the question, “What opportunities and challenges exist for us?” In Planning - expected date for listening sessions Oct 17th to Nov 5th
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Have the PFAC review, synthesize, and report out the findings from the “What opportunities or challenges exist for us?” session.
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Complete the "Opportunities and Challenges" worksheet
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Gather and synthesize community input from all consultative events
Phase 3: Who Do We Want to Become?
Why: Guided by a spirit of missionary creativity, this phase invites the community to dream boldly. It centers the visioning process around co-responsibility and helps clarify the identity and priorities of the future parish.
Possible Start: October – December 2025
Estimated Duration: 6–9 months
Together, we dream and define our future:
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Host events to answer the question: “Who do we want to become?”
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Hold a community listening event asking, “Who do we want to become?”
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Hold a PFAC discussion to summarize the findings from the “Who do we want to become?” listening event
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Draft a vision statement and set of initiatives based on feedback
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Present the draft vision and initiatives for community review
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Refine the vision based on input
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Share a synthesis report of feedback from each event
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Hold a PFAC discussion to refine and finalize the vision and initiatives based on community input. Then share with the community for input.
Phase 4: How Do We Get There?
Why: Planning for transformation requires practical action. This phase turns vision into strategy, prioritizing initiatives that can realistically be implemented and evaluating their likely impact on parish life and mission.
Possible Start: July – September 2026
Estimated Duration: 6–9 months
We map out the path forward:
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Hold one or more PFAC working sessions to complete the “Prioritizing our initiatives,” “Impact and Effort Analysis,” and “Defining our initiatives” activities.
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Hold a community listening event to receive feedback on the drafted vision statement and initiatives.
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Provide a report back to the community on the final prioritized initiatives as determined by the PFAC.
Phase 5: What Will We Be Called?
Why: Naming the new parish is more than a formality—it’s a reflection of identity, unity, and the shared journey. This phase ensures the name is chosen through broad consultation, with spiritual and cultural resonance for the whole community.
Possible Start: April – June 2027
Estimated Duration: 1–3 months
We discern a new name that reflects our renewed identity:
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PFAC proposes a shortlist of names from the approved list
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Community reflects and provides feedback on the proposed names
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PFAC finalizes 5 proposed names to submit with the plan
Phase 6: Assembling the Report
Why: Documenting the work affirms the prayer, dialogue, and discernment that went into the process. This final compilation serves as a tangible roadmap for the new parish’s mission and operations.
Possible Start: April – June 2027
Estimated Duration: 1–3 months
We compile everything into our final One Parish Plan document.
Phase 7: Review Process
Why: Feedback from the Archdiocese and leadership ensures alignment with broader Church goals and canon law. It also provides an opportunity for reflection, refinement, and celebration of the community’s faithful work.
Possible Start: July 2027
Estimated Duration: 3–6 months
• The first draft of the One Parish Plan is provided to the Review Committee for review.
• Comments and needed adjustments are provided to parish leadership for revision.
• Second draft (if needed) of One Parish Plan is provided to the Review Committee for review.
• Comments and needed adjustments are providedto parish leadership and revisions are made (if needed).
▪ Revision and review process is iterated as needed. Depending on the scope of the adjustments made, community consultation should be held to receive feedback from the parish family community.
• Pastor provides updated One Parish Plan draft to the Archbishop.
• The One Parish Plan draft is brought to Presbyteral Council for consultation.
• The Archbishop’s discernment leads to a request for further revisions or final approval
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Sept 17th
Oct 30th
Additional Information
PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY
Loving Father, we thank you for our parish family that is centered in the Eucharist and united in one body, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the grace-filled parishioners who together answer your call to share the Good News to all of God’s people. You are with us in every transition and change. As we commit ourselves to our parish family, we trust in your presence and abounding love for us. We are thankful to our clergy and parish leaders who have blessed our community with leadership, faithfulness and love. We are grateful for our parish family members who share their many talents and skills. We pray in a special way for our members who are challenged in committing to our parish family. Help us to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of moving forward as one family as we seek to further Your Kingdom. We ask this in your Holy Name.
Amen.