Archbishop Emeritus Alex Brunett served for 13 years as the ordinary in Seattle. He died in mid-February, seven years after suffering a debilitating stroke. I’m pleased that I was able to attend his funeral, held at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Bishop George Thomas of Las Vegas, longtime friend of Archbishop Brunett’s and a former colleague of his in Seattle, preached at his funeral, highlighting in large measure examples of the archbishop’s commitment to and passion for Catholic schools.

Archbishop Brunett refused to close schools when circumstances of enrollment and funding were dire. He opened two new high schools sponsored by the archdiocese. He founded a bold, new initiative with a mission to secure the future of Catholic schools in the archdiocese: The Fulcrum Foundation. I was privileged to serve on the foundation’s first board. Fulcrum’s first campaign raised $30 million. The foundation is now completing its third campaign for $60 million. Archbishop Brunett’s spirit will touch every school for generations through the Fulcrum Foundation. He was a visionary who embraced his role as teacher.