BRIGHTON -- With the opening of the Archdiocese of Boston’s bicentennial year only eight months away, this week the archdiocese unveiled the logo which will graphically represent that historical milestone.

The logo, which along with the year’s theme of “Journey Together in Faith” will be used in a variety of ways throughout the bicentennial year, is rife with symbolism, according to Father Robert Connors, director of the archdiocesan bicentennial committee.

“First, the logo is in [the shape of] a cross, symbol of our faith,” Father Connors explained.

“It includes an image of the [Leonard P.] Zakim bridge, icon of the city of Boston,” he continued. “It also has a sun: image of the future, of hope, of a new day...water: image of the archdiocese, of baptism, of the Boston Harbor, and a path: “emphasizing the journey we have together.”

In addition, the path forms the letter “B” for Boston, Father Connors added.

The logo was designed by the Wellesley firm of 2Hats Design.

Father Connors praised the firm and their work. “They did a great job. Working with them was great fun,” he said.

Dotti Cullinan, one of the partners of 2Hats said the feeling was mutual. “Father Connors and the committee were wonderful to work with,” she said.

Cullinan acknowledged that it was “a challenge to come up with a logo that was full of symbolism and yet elegant and, at the same time, thought-provoking.”

However, she praised the “artistic vision” that Father Connors and the committee had.

“I think they were the best [clients] we have ever worked with,” she said.

According to Father Connors, 2Hats Design developed nearly 30 prototypes before the final selection was made.

In the end, after all the committee members viewed the possibilities, they chose the current design because it “embodied” what the committee was looking for.

“We wanted something that showed that we are centered together in our history as an archdiocese,” Father Connors said.

This logo shows that “we are one local Church in Boston, moving together in time, in Christ,” he said, adding that “because we are in Christ, we are the body of Christ.”

According to Father Connors, the logo is a “tool” to be used for the events surrounding the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Boston, noting that all celebrations within the parishes, the regions and the archdiocese as a whole will most likely use the logo.

Father Connors hopes that the unveiling of the bicentennial logo will be a catalyst for organizations within the archdiocese to begin planning their bicentennial celebrations.

“There is so much work to be done,” he said.

Although the bicentennial committee is preparing a few key events during the anniversary year, most of the celebrations will take place at the local level, he said.

“We have various ideas that are hopefully coming together,” stated Father Connors.

For example, Father Connors said, each pastor is encouraged to celebrate the bicentennial within his parish.

The five regions of the archdiocese are planning to establish a “regional day,” to “celebrate the Catholic family, particularly the elderly and their contributions through the years.”

The eight Catholic colleges within the archdiocese are also planning different academic events aimed at celebrating the bicentennial.

However, for these local and regional celebrations to come about, planning must begin soon if it is not already underway, he said.

“I am hoping people will utilize the next eight months to prepare for the events that will take place this coming liturgical year,” Father Connors told The Pilot.

“This is a very special thing that is happening here, and the question is, how can we all come together to celebrate, how can we take pride in our history despite the difficult times we have had, particularly in the past five years?” he said.

The bicentennial year is set to begin on Dec. 2, the first Sunday of Advent, with an opening Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The celebrations will continue throughout the liturgical year, ending with a closing Mass on the feast of Christ the King in 2008.