CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

Registration for Fall Mornings & Evenings 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:

Live Learning Sessions: Synchronous (scheduled) teaching sessions – one or two per month depending on schedule offering – led by the NCCL instructor
Application Help Meetings (Cohorts 6-9,11 only): Synchronous (scheduled) online meetings 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 Course Project Report: Demonstration of how the knowledge and skills are utilized in catechesis through application assignments

Instruction takes place on Zoom. Conversations and file sharing can be done through the course interface.

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

CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

Registration for May Evening Sessions Now Open!

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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 Complete; Cohorts 6-11 Now Underway! Register for Fall '26 Sessions 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 just $600 for the program (books are additional).
The number of registrants is limited for each course cycle.

Scholarships are available. Contact John Roberto at jroberto@ncclcatholic.org

FALL '26 | Evenings | COHORT 12

Beginning in October 2026
Evening Sessions
Mondays, 7-9pm ET every 2 weeks
(No sessions in December or July)

Course 1: October 5 & 19 and November 2 & 16, 2026
Course 2: January 11 & 25 and February 8 & 22, 2027
Course 3: March 8 & 22 and April 5 & 19, 2027
Course 4: May 10 & 24 and June 7 & 21, 2027
Course 5: August 2, 16, & 30 and September 13, 2027
Retreat Day: Monday, October 11, 2027; 10am-3pm ET

Save Your Spot!
REGISTER FOR COHORT 12
Monday Evenings,
Starting in October

FALL '26| Mornings | COHORT 13

Beginning in October 2026
Morning Sessions
Wednesdays, 10am-12pm ET every 2 weeks
(No sessions in December or July)

Course 1: October 7 & 21 and November 4 & 18, 2026
Course 2: January 6 & 20 and February 3 & 17, 2027
Course 3: March 3 & 17 and April 7 & 21, 2027
Course 4: May 5 & 19 and June 2 & 16, 2027
Course 5: August 4 & 18 and September 1 & 15, 2027
Retreat Day: Wednesday, October 20, 2027; 10am-3pm ET

Save Your Spot!
REGISTER FOR COHORT 13
Monday Evenings,
Starting in October

For questions and more information contact Lori Dahlhoff, NCCL Certificate Coordinator, at NCCL.Lori@gmail.com.

Is your diocese interested
in becoming a sponsor of the
Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis?

Contact Our Certificate Coordinator,
Lori Dahlhoff

CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

Registration for Fall Mornings & Evenings Now Open!

CERTIFICATE IN THE PRACTICE OF CATECHESIS:

Registration for May Evening Sessions Now Open!

COURSES

For questions and more information contact Lori Dahlhoff, NCCL Certificate Coordinator, at NCCL.Lori@gmail.com.

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