Remarks at the Installation Mass
September 14, 2025
St. James Cathedral, Seattle

My friends, what we celebrate together today has not been celebrated in this cathedral for thirty-seven years. Today I am very mindful of how grateful I am to my friend and predecessor, and how grateful we all are, for the remarkable leadership of Fr. Mike Ryan over these past almost four decades.

Archbishop, thank you for the trust you have placed in me in appointing me to this ministry as pastor of the parishes of St. James Cathedral, Immaculate Conception and Christ Our Hope. Thank you for your courageous leadership in our archdiocese - calling us to re-imagine our Church - and for your deep care as the Chief Shepherd of the People of God in Western Washington. You are a blessing in my life and in the life of our local Church.

To my family and friends and former parishioners who are here today, and who have supported me over my 18 years as a priest, helping to shape me and form me and challenge me to be a better Christian with you and a better priest for you, thank you for your love and care and support.

To my colleagues at the Chancery, thank your partnership in serving the people of God in our archdiocese. Your dedication and love of the Catholic Church in Western Washington, and your single-minded devotion to advancing the mission of Jesus Christ makes working with you a faith-filled experience for me. As I take on this new ministry of pastor, I am particularly grateful for the extra work that many of you are taking on now to help me in my continuing ministry as Vicar General. Thank you!

To the staff, consultative leaders and parishioners of Immaculate Conception, Christ Our Hope, and St. James Cathedral, thank you for making me feel so welcome over these first months. The love you have for our three parishes portends a future filled with hope for all of us.

And it is to you, my parishioners, that I want to offer a special word of encouragement. Over these coming months and years, we will be called to listen well to each other and, together, to listen well to where God is calling us, and who God is calling us to become as a new parish.

This will be a journey of faith, in which we discern how we can best advance the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ here in Seattle - in the Central District, in Downtown and here on First Hill. It is a privilege to make this journey with you. May the one who emptied himself for us, draw us deeper into his love, and help us to imitate him in pouring ourselves out in service to those most in need. And may the traditions of such self-giving service in our three great parishes propel us into a future filled with hope.

Father Gary F. Lazzeroni, Pastor