St John Vianney Catholic Church

Fr. Marc Powell
Letter of greeting to St. John Vianney

Dear St. John Vianney:
Greetings. I very much look forward to meeting you face to face, but until then, just a few words of introduction on my part.

I currently serve the clustered parishes of St. Edward, St. George and St. Paul in the south end of Seattle. At the same time, I write an occasional column in The Progress as one of the Archdiocesan newspaper's contributing editors. Before my current assignment, I served at St. Matthew parish in Seattle and St. Augustine parish on Whidbey Island.

Before becoming a priest, I majored in Print Journalism at Eastern Washington University. After graduation I worked for about three years as a reporter for the News Tribune in Tacoma, where I covered issues including crime, schools and neighborhood life. I left journalism after discerning I was called to help better people's lives through Church service. As a seminarian, I completed my year of philosophy at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago before finishing five years of theology at St. Patrick's Seminary near San Francisco. I was ordained a priest in 2003.

Hobbies I enjoy include bicycling, acting, playwriting and studying martial arts. I understand your island affords views of migrating Orca Whales in October; I think whale watching will soon become my next hobby!

I've heard so many great things about your parish under the leadership of Father Roach. My heart goes out to you because I know his death was a huge loss.

I want to thank your Transition Team for sending me the wonderful "Welcome Folder," which has so much great information in it about the history of your parish and about the character of your island community. The parish directory that came with it will give me a head start in learning parishioner names.
Again, I very much look forward to meeting you all, and to ministering with and to you in God's holy name.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Marc