Archdiocese launches new thematic tagline to help convey ‘who we are and what we stand for’

Catholics and others in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will soon see a new thematic tagline accompanying the familiar archdiocesan logo in all archdiocesan communications.

“United in Faith, Hope and Love” was selected following discussions that began late last spring as the best phrase to convey on a deeper level “who we are and what we stand for” as a local Church, said Sarah Mealey, archdiocesan director of communications.

The theme and logo are currently included on kiosks that parishes are using for the Rediscover: initiative.

It will be officially launched Jan. 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, the patron of the archdiocese.

“Faith, hope and love are the three theological virtues, the foundational virtues that are ordered toward salvation through God’s grace and from which all other virtues flow,” Mealey said.

“We landed on ‘united’ because, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are all bound together as the Body of Christ,” she said. “We are, in fact, despite our differences, united in this one faith, hope and love.”

Overarching theme

The theme flows from Scripture, including 1 Corinthians 13:13 (“So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”) and 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (“We give thanks to God always for all of you . . . calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.”)

The theme also reinforces Archbishop John Nienstedt’s choice for his episcopal motto: “That they may all be one.”

“United in Faith, Hope and Love” is a theme of the archdiocesan strategic planning process launched in 2010, and it serves as a unifying element for several initiatives currently under way in the archdiocese, including Rediscover:, the Aim Higher marketing campaign for Catholic schools, and the GROW parish pastoral planning process.

Many dioceses, including several in the upper Midwest, have adopted a thematic tagline that reflects their mission, Mealey said.

True as well as aspirational

“United in Faith, Hope and Love” will resonate with many people as a true statement about the archdiocese now, but it is aspirational as well, she said.

“We are one body. We are the Body of Christ. We are united in the foundational truths of the Gospel,” she said. “At the same time, Catholics can disagree on many things. Despite that, ‘United in Faith, Hope and Love’ is a call to all of us to keep our gaze on Christ, who unites us as his body. It means we are united in serving and loving God and our neighbor, just as Christ, our Lord and Savior, commanded. That’s something we can all agree on.”