67th National Conference of Catechetical Leadership to gather in St. Paul in May

by JoAnn Borchert

The National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) will hold their Annual Meeting and Expo at the Radisson Riverfront in St. Paul May 4-8, 2003. This will be the 67th national gathering of leaders of the catechetical ministry.

The NCCL’s focus on the catechetical ministry began at the National Catholic Rural Life Conference held in St. Paul in 1934. Fifteen diocesan CCD directors attended this meeting that gave birth to the annual gathering of catechetical professionals. This organization has evolved during its history from Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) to National Conference of Diocesan Directors (NCDD) to the present NCCL.

Those who attend have expanded to include all professional catechetical leaders: diocesan, parish, academic, and publishers. The late Bishop Raymond A. Lucker had been involved with this organization and its development up until his death in 2001. In 1992 he received the NCCL’s Catechetical Award for his efforts. NCCL is the only independent national organization exclusively dedicated to serving the catechetical mission of the Catholic Church in the United States.

The theme for this year’s gathering is Rooted in Hope - Leading with Vision. In returning to the organization’s roots by meeting in St. Paul, the gathering will focus on the hope that is the core of the ministry. It will also be a chance to celebrate the history of catechetical ministry in the United States while equipping for the challenges and opportunities of today. The document of the United States Bishops on Adult Faith Formation, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, states, "At all times and in every age, the Church faces unique opportunities and challenges as it proclaims the Good News of God’s reign. Today is no exception." This conference will focus its attention on the vision of the importance of Adult Faith Formation in the present and future of the Church.

Joel Barker will lead a process on the new responsibilities of leadership in the 21st Century. Other major presenters will be: Rev. Michael Joncas, Joanne Chafe, Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, and Sr. Edith Prendergast. The conference will include major presentations, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and displays with a special invitation to Youth Ministers on Monday. The goals of the meeting include providing members with opportunities for professional development and for broadening and deepening relationships among participants.