September 14, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Sunday, September 17, 2017, the Church in the United States
celebrates Catechetical Sunday, a day especially set aside to give thanks to
God for the faithful service and witness of those who hand on the saving
message of the Gospel. In our Diocese,
there are nearly 5,000 volunteer catechists who teach the Catholic faith to
over 40,000 children and young people enrolled in our parish religious
education programs.
The theme of this year’s Catechetical Sunday is “Living as
Missionary Disciples.” As Pope Francis reminds us, “The joy of the Gospel is
for all people: no one can be excluded” (Evangelii Gaudium, No.
23). Each of us is called by the Lord to be a missionary disciple who bears
witness to the saving and life-transforming power of God made known to us in
Jesus Christ and kept alive in our hearts by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Our Catholic faith is a gift that is meant to be shared. On this
Catechetical Sunday, we give thanks for all who hand on our faith to others,
including the catechists and teachers who lead children, adolescents and adults
to encounter Jesus Christ. These catechists accompany those they teach,
inviting them to a deeper bond with the Body of Christ, the Church. What a
beautiful privilege they have, as well as a great responsibility!
As the Diocese of Arlington joins the Church throughout the
United States to celebrate Catechetical Sunday, may we continue to pray for all
catechists and teachers — including parents, guardians, women and men living
the consecrated life, deacons, and priests — that through their dedication and
witness they may continue to encounter the love of God in Christ Jesus and
proclaim that saving love to everyone by their lives as missionary disciples of
the Lord.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington