Lee Nagel’s life offers catechists a compelling image of what it means to serve the Church not only with competence, but with heart. He served in the Diocese of Green Bay as diocesan director of Total Catholic Education (superintendent of schools and director of adult faith formation, youth ministry and catechesis) for more than 15 years and as Executive Director of NCCL (National Conference of Catechetical Leaders). These roles required vision, organization, and administrative skill. Yet what people remember most is not simply what he did, but how he did it: as a catechist who never lost sight of the person in front of him.

Lee understood something essential about catechesis—that it is not primarily the transmission of information, but the awakening of faith. Like Jesus, he taught through stories. He listened deeply to the experiences people carried—their struggles, hopes, questions, and quiet longings—and gently wove them into the larger story of God’s love. In doing so, he helped others recognize that their lives were already a place where God was present and active.

For catechists today, his example is both an invitation and a challenge. It is easy to become focused on content, lesson plans, and outcomes. These are important. But Lee reminds us that catechesis becomes transformative when it connects faith to life. The catechist is not just a teacher, but a companion—one who helps others interpret their lives in the light of the Gospel.

Lee also modeled an integrated vision of ministry. By serving in roles that brought together schools, youth ministry, adult formation, and catechesis, Lee lived out the truth that faith formation is lifelong and communal. No single program stands alone; each is part of a larger tapestry of discipleship. Catechists are part of that whole, contributing their thread to something much greater than themselves.

Perhaps most importantly, Lee’s way of teaching reflected the God he proclaimed: all-loving, all-caring, all-forgiving. His storytelling was not just a method; it was a witness. People encountered not only ideas about God, but a living sense of God’s compassion and closeness.

Reflections to Hold, Pray, and Live

• Where do I see the stories of those I serve intersecting with the story of God?

• How can I become more attentive to the lived experiences people bring, especially those that are unspoken?

Author:

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP
Member, NCCL Board of Directors

Her book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You, can be purchased from Twenty-Third Publications
[GET YOUR COPY HERE]

Learn more about Janet and her publications at https://www.janetschaeffler.com/

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Blog thumbnail portrait photo sampled from: Liturgical Pioneers, liturgicalleaders.blogspot