Archbishop Etienne Visits St. Mary-on-the-Lake

By Katie Parker

On July 15, 2026, the Congregation was honored to welcome Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle to St. Mary-on-the-Lake for a day of prayer, conversation, and community. The archbishop celebrated Mass with the sisters, joined them for lunch, and spent the afternoon in an engaging question-and-answer session.

Sharing a meal together provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the life of the Church of the Pacific Northwest and the priorities shaping our world today. Archbishop Etienne spoke openly about his commitment to social justice. While the conversation covered many important issues, it was his openness, accessibility, and generous gift of time that resonated most deeply with the community. For Congregation Counsellor, Sr. Kathleen Pruitt, the greatest gift of the day was the archbishop’s generous presence.

 "He spent four hours with us," she shared. "He was forthright and open, speaking about his work with the bishops and members of Congress on issues affecting migrants and the regulation of AI. We deeply appreciated the time he gave us." The Sisters also appreciated his reflection on ensuring that "artificial intelligence remains in service to the human family without enslaving it further."

The visit also strengthened relationships in ministry. Archbishop Etienne met with Sarah Ness, President and CEO of PeaceHealth, beginning a conversation about the social justice issues facing healthcare today. As one of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace's sponsored ministries, PeaceHealth continues to embody the congregation's commitment to healing, justice, and the dignity of every person.