Rev. Michael Wagner was appointed Priest Administrator of Holy Rosary and Visitation on July 1, 2017. On April 10 2018, Father Wagner collapsed during the celebration of the holy Mass.
He was admitted to hospital with an irreversible brain hemorrhage. The doctors advised his family and the archdiocese that he was unlikely to survive.
The parish plea for prayers went viral on social media, with more than 250,000 people reached. Prayers and well wishes poured in from all over the world, with every continent (except Antarctica!) represented. Masses were said for Father throughout the United States and throughout Poland.
Early in the morning of May 2, 2018, Father Michael Wagner passed to God. His funeral was celebrated at Holy Rosary on May 10. The church was filled beyond capacity, and a video feed was provided to the overflow crowd in the School Hall. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.
Father loved Holy Rosary Church, and he was committed to its restoration.