Alexander Joseph Brunett

In 2012, Brunett was appointed as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Oakland and held that position until a permanent bishop was installed in 2013.

In 1969, Brunett started teaching sacramental theology and served as dean of St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan.

In 1973, he was named both director of the Division of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the archdiocese and pastor of St. Aidan Parish in Livonia, Michigan.

On April 19, 1994, Brunett was appointed the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Helene by Pope John Paul II.

Shortly after his arrival in Helena, Brunett began a series of tours of the diocese, attending welcoming ceremonies and visiting parishes.

He regularly visited local Indian reservations, and was initiated into the Blackfeet tribe, receiving the name, "Holy Eagle Feather".

In 2006, in recognition of his work in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, Brunett received an honorary doctorate from Gonzaga University.

[2] He also helped launch the Fulcrum Foundation, which provides scholarships to poor families to send their children to Catholic schools and oversaw the $7 million purchase, renovation and expansion of the Palisades Retreat Center in Federal Way, Washington.

[2] Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 on 17 January 2009, Brunett submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI,[3] with a request to continue in office.

[1] On September 21, 2012, the Vatican named Brunett the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Oakland following Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone's departure to become Archbishop of San Francisco.

[5] After recovering from the stroke, Brunett remained actively involved in the archdiocese attending major archdiocesan events until he suffered a fall on April 26, 2019.