FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR

From the Desk of the Pastor                 July 31, 2026

Dear friends in Christ,

One of the basic principles of our faith is that we are all called to share in the mission of Christ to go make disciples. I have always emphasized that the role of parish is to nurture and develop in each person a living relationship with Christ in the Church. This means that as parish family we are called to promote and facilitate encounters with Christ in our prayer and worship, in our teaching and passing on the faith, in our acts of service and in the way we promote community and fellowship. As our three churches of St. Jude, Holy Innocents and St. Anthony have come together, we are called as one body of Christ to do this tother. We all have a role in building each other up as members of the body of Christ. This is essentially what the process of Partners in the Gospel is all about—coming together, working together to fulfill the mission Christ has given to the Church. 

One Parish Planning

As part of Partners in the Gospel, the Archbishop has given to our three churches the mission of coming together as one parish and entrusted us with the task of figuring out how best to do this to serve God and the people of Redmond, Duvall and Carnation.  This what the One Parish Planning process is all about. In past year, we have been getting to know each other better and working together in a number of concrete ways. This coming Fall and throughout this coming year we will be engaging in a concerted effort of preparing this one parish plan. We will need your help and participation in this process. There will be surveys and listening sessions, opportunities to provide your input. We very much will need that input—so I invite you to pay attention to the bulletin and announcements and to take an active part. 

Here are some question and answer about the process:

Q: Why One Parish Planning?

A: The One Parish Planning process will help parish families develop their vision and plan for how to re-envision parish life as they become one new canonical parish. All parish families in the archdiocese will be going through this process, and all parishioners will have the opportunity to participate.

Q: What is the timing for One Parish Planning?

A: This planning process will occur over these next 12 months to set the vision and plan for achieving it. This plan will outline activities and goals that can be achieved over the following five years once it is approved. The goal is to have the plan ready to submit next summer. This plan will outline activities and goals that can be achieved over the following five years once it is approved.

Q: Who is leaning or Partners in the Gospel Process?

A: This process will be guided by the Parish Family Advisory Council and will act as the main consulting and working group for the pastor. They will be supported by the Parish Family Leadership Team comprised of staff from each parish, as well as support from Parish Liaisons and Chancery staff.

Q: How will people be involved in Partners in the Gospel?

A: This process is built on the foundational concept of co-responsibility, which means that all the baptized are responsible for the mission of the Church. Everyone in the parish family will have multiple opportunities to provide feedback, input and recommendations for how to re-envision parish life.

Q: What if we struggle to come to an agreement?

A: The Parish Family Advisory Council and Parish Family Leadership Team will use the input from the parishioners to begin discerning the future. They will make recommendations and ultimately, after consultation and discernment, the pastor will make the final call on a topic that may not have clear consensus.

Q: How will decisions be communicated?

A: For each of the listening sessions, there will be an official synthesis of the feedback that was collected during the events that will be shared with the parish family. Additionally, as draft plans are created, they will be shared with the parish family for feedback. Be sure to read your parish family bulletin for updates.

Week 7

Q: What happens once the Plan is turned in?

A: The One Parish Plan Review Committee will ensure the plan is complete and may request adjustments. Once approved, the plan will go to the archbishop. The archbishop will consult with the Presbyteral Council, after which he will either approve the plan or request further revisions.

This month will be providing you will more information on the schedule and events happen this Fall. I invite to please pray for our parish family and the fruitfulness of this process, the through it we may grow in faith, hope and love and together accomplish the mission Christ has entrusted to us all.  Blessings on your week!!

Fr Johnson