History of Parish Family

In January of 2023, the Archdiocese of Seattle launched the Partners in the Gospel strategic plan to reorganize the administrative structure of local parishes. This initiative was designed to address the shortage of priests available to serve as pastors for every church. As a result, pastors now shepherd multiple churches, fostering collaboration and unity across communities.

After more than a year of synodal discussions among clergy and lay faithful, a new “Parish Family” model was established for the entire Archdiocese. On July 1, 2024, St. Gabriel in Port Orchard, Prince of Peace in Belfair (mission church of St. Gabriel), and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor came together under the leadership of Pastor Fr. Mark Guzman to form Parish Family 52. Our parish family is now on a three- to four-year journey to become an official canonical parish.

Forming a parish family is a unique and complex endeavor. Fr. Mark not only took on St. Nicholas Church, but also its school, along with two culturally distinct communities at St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace. Guided by the Archdiocese of Seattle’s One Parish Planning guide, our parish family is actively engaged in discovering “Who We Are,” “What Do We Want to Become?”, “How Will We Get There?”, and “What Do We Want to Be Called?” As we move through these phases, each church campus will retain its original name, while our parish family will soon be officially named.

Is there a significance to the number 52?

In the grand scheme of Partners in the Gospel, no. However, shortly after our parishes were brought together, a parishioner reached out to Fr. Mark and shared the number's relationship to the miracle Jesus performed when his followers were complaining about not having enough food to provide the mass of people who had gathered to hear him preach.

Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all.
-Mark 6:41

Hence our current parish family logo is the symbol of this miracle.

The history of each of our parishes.