Goodbye Archbishop Sartain: Good Shepherd to Renton & Western WA

It was a sad and joyous day on Sunday as people from Renton and across Western Washington packed St. James Cathedral for a farewell Mass for Archbishop J. Peter Sartain. Diverse people came to say goodbye and celebrate his ministry in Western Washington which began in 2010 for the Archdiocese of Seattle and is ending now due to heath reasons.

In his homily Archbishop Sartain said our kindness to one another demonstrates our love for God. He practiced what he preached! Archbishop Sartain has been known for his warm, humorous personality. My wife, Geri, describes him as “approachable. Placed here by God. A perfect archbishop for our then seminarian son Benjamin.” She also liked hearing his calm, yet powerful voice proclaiming God’s word.

After the end of the Mass the archbishop's Coat of Arms was hung high in the West Vestibule of the Cathedral next to the ones of his predecessors, a lasting remembrance of his service. The throng of attendees then went to Cathedral Hall for a reception and to personally say goodbye to their beloved Archbishop--the 11th regional leader of the Catholic Church in Western Washington since 1850. Archbishop Sartain graciously talked with well-wishers and allowed pictures. Standing without break for some 2 ½ hours, he gave each person their chance to say goodbye. Amazingly he was still in good spirits at the end.

I remember meeting Archbishop Sartain when he arrived in Seattle in 2010. He stood in the back of St. Jame Cathedral for two hours to greet all the attendees one-on-one at the end of his introduction Mass. He was so personable. I told him that our son Ben who grew up in Renton had recently entered the seminary for the Seattle Archdiocese. He was thrilled to hear the news.

Shortly afterwards he presided Mass at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton. Upon conclusion of the Litury he did it again: he engaged with his flock, standing for two hours without sitting as people came up to meet their new Archbishop.

During his time in the Seattle Archdiocese, Archbishop Sartain would ordain two young men from Renton to the priesthood: Fr. Lou Cunningham last year and Fr. Benjamin (Ben) Bray this past June. Both grew up in Renton and are tremendous young men with a passion to serve God and serve neighbors. Like their archbishop, they too will work to bring healing, hope and God's love to parishioners.

The Catholic archbishop also found additional Renton candidates to discern future priesthood. Through the vocations program two more young men from Renton are currently in seminary formation. The Catholic Church has suffered from priest sex abuse but these young priests and future ones are committed to being holy and good priests who will bring healing and help restore hope in our community and world. Archbishop Sartain has been a tremendous spiritual father to them. He has modeled good leadership.

My son Michael remembers several occasions when Archbishop Sartain asked young people present at gatherings to give prayer and thought to their vocation, including at his own Confirmation at St. Anthony Parish in Renton. Be open to God the archbishop would tell them, “Is He calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life? Is He calling you to married or single life?”

Whether Catholic or not, young people need to discern their call--not just their occupations. Many youth today don’t have a life purpose. Archbishop Sartain gently but purposely invited them to give their life to something greater than themselves. This life of greater significance he proposed could be found in giving one’s life to Jesus Christ.

As archbishop he oversaw Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services which annually helps more than 100,000 of our neediest neighbors throughout Western Washington, including partnering with the City of Renton to help homeless and needy neighbors.

He also oversees the Catholic parishes in Western Washington. In parishes members are inspired to grow in faith and serve their communities. Volunteering to feed the hungry, such as in Renton through the ARISE program and helping neighbors in need regardless of creed through St. Vincent de Paul, are just a few of the ways parishioners put their faith into action. Archbishop Sartain encouraged this kind of outreach!

The Bray family thanks our wonderful archbishop for all the help, support and prayers for our Benjamin, nurturing him from seminarian to priest. Fr. Ben was ordained a priest June 22, 2019 on his parents’ 34th wedding anniversary. We will always treasure your personal greeting to us before you processed onto the altar on that ordination day. And the second time in your homily!

Thank you Archbishop Sartain for being a Good Shepherd to the people of Western Washington. As you head into retirement and return to Memphis, please know that we love you and are so grateful for your ministry here. You will always be in our hearts and prayers!