Archbishop Brunett: A Legacy of Hope

February 5, 2020

Archbishop Emeritus Alexander J. Brunett passed away on January 31, 2020. He was 86 years old.

From 1997-2010, Archbishop Brunett led the Archdiocese of Seattle, guiding the faithful in Western Washington with boundless optimism and unfailing love.

“God gave the Archdiocese of Seattle a great gift in Archbishop Brunett,” said Joe Womac, executive director of the Fulcrum Foundation from 2005-2013. “So many in my generation found their vocation and ministry through his vision and initiative.”

Archbishop Brunett established Fulcrum in 2002, believing in its mission to bring Catholic education to all families. He was an active participant in Fulcrum, going above and beyond to support Catholic families.

“He personally set up an endowment within Fulcrum for single mothers who needed help paying tuition,” said Rev. Stephen C. Rowan, founding Fulcrum Foundation chair of the board. “He enjoyed attending the annual Celebration of Light, where he could meet and thank many friends of Catholic schools.”

“Archbishop Brunett’s far-sighted legacy will benefit many generations of Catholic schoolchildren, their families, and their schools, helping to ensure what he wanted for all people and called for in his Pastoral Plan: ‘A Future Full of Hope,’” shared Fr. Rowan.

Archbishop Brunett was awarded the NCEA Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in 2007 for founding Fulcrum—now a model organization for other dioceses in the country.

“I thank God for Archbishop Brunett’s ministry and its impact on Western Washington,” Joe said. “While nearly all other dioceses and archdioceses throughout the U.S. experienced school closures, we were opening schools, increasing financial aid by a factor of 1000%, and building a future full of hope for our schools and our kids.”

“Archbishop Brunett inspired all of us into action,” Joe added. “I challenge anyone to look at the archdiocese when he came and when he retired. The comparisons make the point of how powerful this leadership attribute of his was, for us and our Church.”

If you would like to honor the legacy of Archbishop Brunett, please consider a donation to The Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett Endowment Fund for Families in Special Need by contacting us at info@fulcrumfoundation.org