National Conference for Catechetical Leadership

National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL), a Catholic non-profit serving 176 Catholic Archdioceses, is focusing on gaining a deeper understanding of the current situation of children and worship in the Catholic Church. Working to create new approaches and practices that can address present needs, they will provide a direction for future growth. The NCCL will involve fifty Catholic parishes in piloting new approaches and resources to engage children in liturgical life. Grant activities will include enhancing Sunday Mass with music, art, and interactive participation. Incorporating children's Liturgy of the Word and supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities will also be focused on. Parishes will engage children and their parents in liturgical formation and lectionary-based catechesis. In addition, fifty parishes or Catholic schools will pilot a new prayer curriculum, focusing on developmentally appropriate prayer practices for young children and grade schoolers, with an emphasis on the communal prayer life of the parish and family settings. Training and resources will be provided in both English and Spanish, and activities will be contextualized for the diverse cultures of each parish community. NCCL hopes to serve 100 parishes throughout the duration of the grant.