iw? ;o wr 9 May 10, 2012 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As many ofyou are aware, beginning on October ll, 2012, the Church throughout the world will inaugurate the celebration of a Year of Faith. This special celebration, called for by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to mark the Htlieth anniversary of the opening ofthe Second Vatican Cotmcil and the twentieth anniversary ofthe publication ofthe Catechism ofthe Catholic the power and beauty of our Catholic Faith. Part ofthe celebration ofthe Year of Faith will involve a commitment to new efforts of evangelization, aimed at a reinvigorated communication of the Faith, especially to those who Wearebeingaskedto invitethosewhomighthavefallen away not only to return to the Church but also to discover in the Church the immeasurable riches oftheloveofGod, pilgrimage offaith we are making towards the heavenly Kingdom, the house ofour gracious Father. This upcoming Year of Faith will also involve renewed efforts at catechizing the whole Body of Christ. You, who work in collaboration with the pastors of the Church, know the who are present in our parish religious education programs and Catholic schools may have the opporumity to enter into a living communion with Christ Jesus, to believe in Him and His saving Word, and thus to have life in His name_(c? Jn. 20:31). You also know the need to assure sound teaching inourcatecheticalprograms as auth tic disciples ofthe Lord Jesus. "As chief catechist in the diocese, the bishop is responsible for the total catechetical mission of the local church" (National Directory for Catechesis, 54). This aspect of my ministry . Inorderthatwemayworktogetherto transmit the Faith, I hereby establish, as diocesan policy, that every catechist, together with their aides (if any), publicly make an annual Profession of Faith according to the attached formula. It would seem that the most iitting moment to do so would be on Catechetical Sunday each year, collectively at one of the parish Masses in the presence of the pastor (or another priest of the parish) and the faithtiil gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. If an individual catechist is not Sunday,heorshe istomakethe ProfessionofFaithat another opportrme time, as close to the beginning ofthe catechetical year as possible and in the presence of the pastor or another priest of the parish. The signed copies of the Profession of Faith will be kept at each parish. This policy will take effect on September 16, 2012 and will remain in place rmless or until it is revoked by the Diocesan Bishop. With you, I give thanks for the generous cormnitment of time, talent and energy shown by all who offer themselves for service as catechists in our parish religious education programs. Professing our faith publicly is a further sign of our catechists' commitment to teach in communion with Christ and His Church. I hope it will be also an incentive for us all to bear witness anew to the content of the Faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed. I thank you for your assistance in ensuring that your catechists undertake their Profession of Faith with zeal and devotion. I remember you in my prayers, as I ask a remembrance in yours. Faithtirlly in the Heart of Christ, +4;.aL XR . Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde Bishop of Arlington Enclosure (1) rh . . . . PROFESSION OF FAITH I, with iirm faith believe and profess each and every thing that is contained in the Symbol of Faith, namely: Ibe1ieveinoneGod, the ofall thatis,seenandunseen. etemallybegottenofthe Father, Godii?omGod, Light'ri?omLight, tr?ue Godfromtrue Throughhimallthingswere made. Forusmenandfor oursalvation, hecame downhomheavenz bythepowerofthe Holy Spiritbebecameincarnateofthe VirginMary, andbecameman. Foroursakehe was crucified rmder Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he roseagaininaccordancewiththe Scriptures; righthandoftheFather. livingandthedead, andhiskingdom will haveno end. Ibelieve inthe Holy Spirit,theLord,thegiveroflife, whoprooeedsfromthe Fatherandthe Son. WiththeFatherandthe Sonheisworshipped Ibelieveinoneholycatholicarrd apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrectionofthedead, andthelifeofthe worldtocome. Amen. Withiirmfaith, written or handed down in Tradition, which the Church, either by a solemn judgment or by the ordinary and universal Magisterium, sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed. I also iirmly accept and hold each and every thing definitively proposed by the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals. Moreover, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which eithertheRomanPontift`ortl1e College ofBishops enunciate whentheyexercise . their authentic even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act. Signed under oath before the undersigned on (ycao?i. Pastor/Parochial Vicar