Farewell Message from WSCC Executive Director Mario Villanueva

In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.

- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, USCCB

Dear friends and fellow Catholic advocates,

For the last four years, I have had the distinct honor of serving the bishops of Washington as Executive Director for the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC). I am grateful to Archbishop Paul Etienne, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, Bishop Joseph Tyson, Bishop Thomas Daly, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, and Bishop Frank Schuster for this blessed opportunity. As you may know, the mission of the WSCC is to be the public policy voice of the bishops of our state. I plan to retire on September 18. Efforts are underway by the Washington bishops to hire a new WSCC Executive Director. 

I first want to acknowledge the support of my wife Jane and my family in this important work that I had the privilege of doing for the past four years. Your support has been an immeasurable aid to me during this time of my appointment to this position, and I know you all will continue, in your own ways, to work to make our world a better place.

I also need to convey a word of gratitude to the WSCC staff, Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager, and Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy and Communications, for their ongoing work and support, promoting the WSCC’s very important mission. As part of this, I want to mention my gratitude as well for the expert assistance of WSCC lobbyists, Donna Christensen and Luke Esser, and our Communications Specialist, Roberto Perez. The competent support of the WSCC team in carrying out our mission has been invaluable and will continue to be very needed after my departure. I also want to convey my gratitude to the WSCC Board of Directors for their commitment of service in supporting the WSCC mission.

The work of the WSCC is in good hands. Over my time with the organization, we have carried out many special projects for the bishops, weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, lobbied on many important justice and life initiatives both nationally and statewide, and have always sought to focus on our work through the lens of our bishops’ legislative priorities, Catholic Social Teaching and working for the common good. In all these matters we consistently sought to value the dignity of the human person as guided by Catholic teaching.

Finally, our work at the WSCC is to further the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ using working for the common good as the way we engage to do this. I encourage you all to continue to work as advocates for public policy that supports life and justice. This work has eternal consequences, and I am thankful to each of you for your ongoing commitment to supporting the WSCC and our Catholic mission in this work. As one of our bishops quoted recently, “Our Church does not have a mission, the Mission has a church.”

May God bless each of you and yours abundantly.

Mario M. Villanueva

Catholic Immigration Summit: September 30 at Seattle University

Register for the 7th annual Catholic Immigration Summit, Companions on the Journey: Sharing Stories and Discerning Next Steps, at Seattle University on September 30, 9 am to 2 pm. Following National Migration Week (September 18-24), this year’s summit includes Mass with Bishop Elizondo, the sharing of stories from impacted communities, lunchtime table discussions, and discerning actionable next steps. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please email adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org, and a link will be sent to you around September 30. Those attending virtually do not need to register online.  The summit is organized by the Archdiocese of Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, Catholic Community Services, Catholic Immigration Legal Services, Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, Seattle University’s Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, and the WSCC.

WSCC Support for Initiative 2081 (I-2081) 

The WSCC supports Initiative 2081 (I-2081), which would establish a parents’ bill of rights for parents of children in public schools. In the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, families are a central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. I-2081 strengthens family rights.  Visit our website for more information. 

At the discretion of pastors, signatures for this initiative may be collected at parishes. Parishioners must obtain approval from pastors prior to collecting petition signatures on church grounds. I-2081 is an initiative to the Legislature, and petitions are due to the Secretary of State in December.  It is recommended that completed petitions be submitted to organizers around December 15. To qualify for legislative action, 324,516 valid signatures must be collected.  The Secretary of State recommends collecting 15-20% more than this number to guard against signatures that are invalidated due to non-registration or duplication. 

Contact the Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW) at info@fpiw.org or (425) 608-0242 to request petitions. Only official petitions forms will be accepted by the Secretary of State.  Please do not print your own copies. The FPIW is not a Catholic organization nor affiliated with the Catholic Church. They are working on I-2081 efforts and have graciously offered to serve as a distributor and collector of petitions. 

Signed petitions should be returned to campaign organizers, who will process and count petitions and officially submit them to the Secretary of State. Please return signed petitions to FPIW, who is assisting with processing petitions: 

Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW)
PO Box 975 
Lynwood, WA 98046

October: Respect Life Month

The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month in October, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. Visit the website of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for a multitude of resources for individuals, parishes, schools, and ministries as we observe the month.  On the webpage you can also sign up to participate in the Respect Life Month Novena and view a webinar to inspire you or your parish or ministry’s activities.

As one aspect of pro-life ministry, the WSCC bishops encourage parishes and individuals to build a culture of life via the statewide Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PREPARES) program. This parish-based ministry serves families in need. By supporting and accompanying women and families, Catholics can help those in crisis to choose life. You are invited to join or start a PREPARES program at your parish.

Good News and Events from Around the State

Archbishop Etienne Prepares for October Synod

Pope Francis appointed the WSCC’s Archbishop Paul D. Etienne to attend the first general assembly of the Synod on Synodality in October in Rome. Archbishop Etienne is one of 50 delegates that was personally appointed by Pope Francis. Pictured above, last month Archbishop Etienne met with other members of the delegation from North America to prepare for the October synod. For more details, see this Northwest Catholic article and Archbishop Etienne’s blog.

USCCB Subcommittee Encounters Migrant Ministries in Yakima

Bishop Joseph Tyson and the Diocese of Yakima are steeped in ministry to migrant workers. Last month a pastoral visit was organized by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers to learn more about this important work. Farmworkers in Yakima grow and harvest Washington fruits and vegetables that are then sold around the world. Read more about their work and the Diocese of Yakima’s ministry in this Our Sunday Visitor article. Pictured above and left to right are the WSCC’s Bishop Frank Schuster, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, and Bishop Joseph Tyson as they concelebrate Mass with migrant workers.

Laudato Si’ Day of Prayer and Action in Spokane

Throughout the world, Catholics are living the care for creation principles that Pope Francis called us to in Laudato Si’.  You are invited to a Laudato Si’ Day of Prayer and Action in Spokane on Saturday, October 28. Location: Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. Cost: $50. To register, call (509) 448-1224 or email kparker@ihrc.net.

National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees 

National Migration Week begins on September 18 and runs through September 24, the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.  Too often, migration is forced, particularly in cases where individuals are fleeing war or conflict.  Consequently, this year’s theme for National Migration Week shines a light on the ideal, where all are “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay.” Pope Francis speaks to this theme in his 2023 World Day for Migrants and Refugees address, which marks the 109th celebration of this date. Visit the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants (JFI) website to access a toolkit for learning, reflecting, and acting on National Migration Week. Supporting immigrants and refugees is a legislative priority of the WSCC bishops.

Important Dates   

WSCC Staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Mario Villanueva, Executive Director

mario.villanueva@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy & Communications adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager 

tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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