SEATTLE – Archbishop Paul D. Etienne has appointed Dominican Sisters Sharon Casey and Sharon Park to serve as liaisons to women in religious life in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

“We’ve been very blessed in this archdiocese to have had women religious serving in a variety of ministries for more than 150 years,” said Archbishop Etienne in a release. “Their ministries have included, but are not limited to, health care, education and social services, and their involvement in these areas is part of the fabric of the Pacific Northwest’s history. We are eager to continue working with the wonderful communities of men and women religious who have made such a significant contribution to this region.”

The archdiocese is home to nearly 300 men and women religious from more than 30 orders. The liaisons for religious life represent the archbishop in his relationship to all these religious communities, as well as to those with individual calls to religious life.

“It is a blessing for me to to minister with the sisters who faithfully serve the people of the archdiocese,” said Sister Sharon Park, an Adrian Dominican sister who served as the executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference from 1997 to 2017.

“This role provides the connection between the archbishop and women religious,” said Sister Sharon Casey, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic, Congregation of St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma. She served as president of her community from 2007 to 2019. “My years in congregational leadership confirmed the ongoing collaboration and relationship-building that has always characterized the women religious in the archdiocese. My hope is to be part of this important ministry as together we continue to serve as women of the Gospel.”

“I’m so grateful that both Sister Sharon Park and Sister Sharon Casey are willing to serve in this important role,” added Archbishop Etienne.