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CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

Registration for October Cohorts Now Open!

 

 

The Practice of Catechesis with All Ages Certificate Program is designed to provide a holistic educational experience for all leaders in catechetical ministry, integrating personal spiritual growth, leadership formation, and the latest thinking, approaches, and skills for catechesis with all ages and generations. The emphasis of the Certificate Program is on practice – equipping leaders for the requirements and challenges of their role as the leader of the parish’s catechetical ministry with families and all ages.

The Practice of Catechesis Certificate is an applied education program, designed to help leaders in catechetical ministry develop and implement vibrant and engaging faith formation with age groups across the life span, with families, and with all generations together.

The Practice of Catechesis Certificate is an online formation program consisting of five courses and a retreat experience. Each of the five courses incorporates: 

  • Two Live Sessions: Two synchronous (scheduled) 3-hour teaching sessions – one per month – led by the NCCL instructor
  • Two Application Meetings: Two synchronous (scheduled) 90 minute online sessions – one per month – led by the NCCL instructor
  • Online Learning: Asynchronous (on-your-own) online learning to deepen the knowledge, skills, and practices introduced in the teaching sessions using the NCCL online learning platform
  • One Application Project: Demonstration of how the knowledge and skills are utilized in catechesis

Courses are taught by faculty chosen by NCCL who bring a deep knowledge of catechesis and years of educating leaders for catechetical ministry.
Download Faculty Bios

CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

The Next Online Certificate Program begins in January 2025

 

 

The Practice of Catechesis with All Ages Certificate Program is designed to provide a holistic educational experience for all leaders in catechetical ministry, integrating personal spiritual growth, leadership formation, and the latest thinking, approaches, and skills for catechesis with all ages and generations. The emphasis of the Certificate Program is on practice – equipping leaders for the requirements and challenges of their role as the leader of the parish’s catechetical ministry with families and all ages.

The Practice of Catechesis Certificate is an applied education program, designed to help leaders in catechetical ministry develop and implement vibrant and engaging faith formation with age groups across the life span, with families, and with all generations together.

This is an online formation program consisting of five courses and a retreat experience. Each of the five courses incorporates: 

  • Two Live Sessions: Two synchronous (scheduled) 3-hour teaching sessions – one per month – led by the NCCL instructor
  • Two Application Meetings: Two synchronous (scheduled) 90 minute online sessions – one per month – led by the NCCL instructor
  • Online Learning: Asynchronous (on-your-own) online learning to deepen the knowledge, skills, and practices introduced in the teaching sessions using the NCCL online learning platform
  • One Application Project: Demonstration of how the knowledge and skills are utilized in catechesis

Courses are taught by faculty chosen by NCCL who bring a deep knowledge of catechesis and years of educating leaders for catechetical ministry.
Download Faculty Bios

Cohorts 1 - 5 are now underway... details for October cycles below!

COURSES

In each cycle of our Catechesis Certificate Program, NCCL instructors accompany students through the following topics:

  • Course 1. Principles and Practices of Catechesis - explores the Church’s vision of catechesis as presented in the Directory for Catechesis and guides the participants in developing a parish vision of catechesis with lifelong goals for maturing in faith.
  • Course 2. Designing Catechesis for Families and Age Groups - engages the participates in applying the practices in the Directory for Catechesis to the design of catechesis with families, children, young people, adults, and the whole community.
  • Course 3. Leadership Practices for Catechetical Ministry - explores Jesus’ approach to leadership and  the characteristics of servant leadership; applying effective leadership practices in parish ministry; and developing catechists and leaders for catechetical ministry.
  • Course 4. Leadership Skills for Catechetical Ministry - develops the abilities of leaders to facilitate the work of teams, practice relational skills of listening and communication, guide decision-making and problem-solving, resolve conflicts, and manage time and projects.
  • Course 5. Designing Educational Programs for Families and Age Groups - explores the latest research on the principles and methods for learning today and how these methods can be applied to designing catechetical experiences and teaching people of all ages.
  • Retreat: The Spiritual Life of the Catechetical Leader - guides people in reflecting on their call to catechetical leadership and how they model the transforming presence of God as catechetical leaders; and  engages them in experiencing spiritual practices that can sustain and nurture their life in ministry.

Tuition and Registration

Tuition is $500 for the program (books are additional). 
The number of registrants is limited for each course cycle.

REGISTER BY JUNE 28th to SAVE $50 on October Cohorts!

COHORT 6

Beginning in October
Evening Sessions on Mondays (7-9pm ET) - Every Two Weeks

  • Course 1: October 6 & 20 and November 3 & 17, 2025
  • Course 2: January 12 & 26 and February 9 & 23, 2026
  • Course 3: March 9 & 23 and April 6 & 20, 2026
  • Course 4: May 4 & 18 and June 1 & 15, 2026
  • Course 5: August 3, 17, & 31 and September 14, 2026
  • Retreat Day: October 12, 2026; 10 am - 3pm ET
Save Your Spot!
REGISTER FOR COHORT 6
Mondays, Starting October 2025

COHORT 7

Beginning in October
Weekday Sessions on Wednesdays (10am - 1 pm ET)

  • Course 1: October 8 and November 12, 2025
  • Course 2: January 14 and February 11, 2026
  • Course 3: March 11 and April 15, 2026
  • Course 4: May 13 and June 10, 2026
  • Course 5: August 12 and September 16, 2026
  • Retreat Day: November 7, 2026; 10 am - 3 pm ET
Save Your Spot!
REGISTER FOR COHORT 7
Wednesdays, Starting October 2025
For questions and more information contact Lori Dahlhoff, NCCL Certificate Coordinator, at [email protected].

Is your diocese interested
in becoming a sponsor of the

Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis?

Contact Our Executive Director,
John Roberto
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