Annual Catechetical Leader Day of Reflection

Called to Minister in Jesus' Name

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

9:30 am - 2;30 pm

Marywood in the Wisdom Center

Our retreat speaker will be Brian Lemoi, Executive Director of the Franciscan Center in Tampa. Brian has served in many areas of the Catholic Church, beginning in education, then parish life, and then to the Pastoral Center in the Diocese of St. Petersburg where he served for 27 years in the areas of faith formation, evangelization, family life, and lay ministry. You will enjoy Brian's presentation as well as his fun sense of humor.

The day is open to all parish ministers.

Jotform to register

Preparing Catechists and Teachers for the new Formation Year

Every catechist and teacher should be provided with a copy of the curriculum that they are expected to teach. You may find each grade, Pre -K - 8 at the following link. The high school religion curriculum will be under review this coming year.

Documents: These are also all found on the www.dosaformation.com website.

Bishop Pohmeier Letter for Curriculum

Director Letter for Curriculum

Curriculum (large file)

Guide for Parents to the Curriculum

Grade Level Prayers

Developmental Stages of Children for teachers/catechists

Developmental Stages of Children for Parents

Child Photo Release

Adult Photo Release

R.E. Policies 2023 Please note, these are in effect but will be studied this year for updating in 2027-2028.

Circle of Grace Safe Environment Lessons for Children and Youth

We have signed an agreement for another 5-year commitment to this program that satisfies the USCCB Standards for providing training to and for our students.

These lessons, provided by the Archdiocese of Omaha, are expected to be taught within the first few weeks of gatherings by certified religion teachers. The absolute deadline for providing is December 15, 2026. Reports go to your respective diocesan lead:

Catholic Schools ~ Rhonda Rose

Faith Formation ~ Erin McGeever

Youth Ministry ~ Robin Shipley

I have put in a request for 2 trainings again this year due to the large number of leaders that are being put into place. One training will be offered during the day, the other will be an evening event.

A Workshop on Marriage Law for Parish Professionals

An Introduction for parish workers, particularly those who are involved in OCIA, on the annulment process will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the St. Cahterine Room on Saturday, July 25 from 9:30 am - noon. This workshop will aid you in accompanying people through the annulment process, especially those in the OCIA, covering the following: 

~ The basics of the process

~ Key terminology

~ A look at the various types of annulments

~The timeline

$5 donation for handouts taken at the door. 

Jotform to register

Nuts and Bolts of the OCIA Process

This workshop is the introduction to the process of OCIA for new team members or for those who need a refresher.

Saturday, August 15 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Hurley Auditorium

Topics will include:

Overview of the process

Sorting the people into categories

Terminology

Best Practices

Fee is $10 per person, 3/$25. 6?$50...yes, we want you to sign up the whole team.

Jotform to register

Join us for this Webinar

Catechetical Sunday Beyond the Celebration—A Year-Round Tool for Evangelizing Catechesis

August 12, 2026

1:00-2:30 pm (eastern)

Join Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier, member off the USCCB Committee on Evangelization & Catechesis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Catechism, and leaders from across the country for an engaging webinar that explores how Catechetical Sunday can become far more than a single day of recognition.

Together, we will reimagine Catechetical Sunday as a year-round opportunity to strengthen evangelization, foster lifelong faith formation, and renew the Church's catechetical mission.

As we prepare for this gathering, we would value your input. Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey so we can better support our shared mission.

This webinar will challenge participants to move beyond viewing catechesis as something that happens only in classrooms with children.

Instead, we will reflect on the many people who hand on the faith every day—parents, grandparents, sponsors, OCIA teams, youth ministers, Catholic school educators, parish staff, and countless others who accompany people on their journey of discipleship. Through inspiring parish examples and practical best practices from across the country, participants will discover creative ways to use the annual Catechetical Sunday theme throughout the year, engaging the entire parish in the work of evangelizing catechesis and forming missionary disciples.



Register here

A SPECIAL DIOCESAN PRAYER OPPORTUNITY

Bishop Pohlmeier will host Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad for Vespers (evening prayer) with our Seminarians. All the Catholic faithful are invited!

 Date: July 23, 2026

 Time: 5:15 PM

Place: Parish of San Juan del Rio (St. Johns)

Cardinal Koovakad is the Vatican’s head of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and a Syro-Malabar cleric. He is one of the youngest Cardinals in the world and is a close collaborator of Pope Leo XIV. He will serve as the homilist for this gathering.

All are welcome!

Education and Formation of Catechetical Leaders

As the program year comes to a close, NCCL is looking forward to offering a variety of new formation programs for catechetical leaders in 2026-27. Here's what's coming soon:

 Welcome to Catechesis - a 4 Session Online Course in August for beginning leaders

·    For information and registration go to: Welcome to Catechesis

NEW: Certificate in Family Faith Formation - October 2026

·    A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with families and parents.

·    The first cohort launches in October. Stay tuned for more information.

NEW: Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis - In Spanish

·    A new Certificate program designed around the needs of Hispanic catechetical leaders in Spanish-speaking parishes. The program will be taught in Spanish.

·    The first cohort launches in early 2027: Stay tuned for more information.

NEW: Certificate in Adult Faith Formation - In 2027

·    A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with adults in parish communities.

Basic Certification (Level I)

Locations in the next academic year:



August: St. Patrick, Jacksonville

August 8, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Faith Development and Practical Skills

August 9, 2026 noon -5:30 pm Liturgy and Sacraments and Basic Beliefs

August 22, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Scripture and Church

August 23, 2026 noon - 5:30 pm Role of the Catechist and Practical Skills

Jotform to register

Registration will open soon:

September: Holy Family School and San Jose School

September 12 and 13 at San Jose School

September 26-27 at Holy Family School

November: St. Matthew Parish

November 7 and 8

November 21 and 22

January: St. Anasatasia

January 9 and 10

January 23 and 24



June: St Patrick School, Gainesville

Standard certification is achieved either through courses through the McGrath Institute (STEP) or through the University of Dayton (VLCFF).

Standard Certification Options

STEP through the McGrath Institute

STEP Camino Courses Comprehensive list for the year.

Beginning with the Spring 2027 term, STEP (and our sister program in Spanish, Camino) will move to a revised calendar consisting of five sessions per year: two in the spring, one in the summer, and two in the fall. The remainder of this 2026 calendar will continue as usual, with the new calendar taking effect in Spring 2027.

For your reference, these are the dates for our 2026-2027 sessions:

• Fall 1: August 31 - October 16, 2026
• Fall 2: October 19 - December 4, 2026
• Spring 1: January 11 - February 26, 2027
• Spring 2: March 8 - April 30, 2027 (with a Holy Week break, March 22-28)
• Summer: June 7 - August 1, 2027 (with a summer break, July 5 - 11)

VLCFF through the University of Dayton

VLCFF Calendar

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass~ A Deeper Understanding

The Diocesan Liturgical Commission, in conversation with Bishop Pohlmeier, will be providing this workshop on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Bishop Pohlmeier will speak on the following 4 topics:

The Shape of the Sacrifice

The Assembly and the Priest

Full, Conscious, Active Participation

Silence and Reverence

This workshop will be offered twice in two different locations for the convenience of the faithful:

Saturday, August 22 9:00 am -12:30 pm at Holy Faith Parish, Gainesville in the Fr. John Phillips Family Life Center.

Saturday, September 19 9:00 am -12:30 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Orange Park in the Family Life Center.

No registration is required and there is no fee.

The Window on Death Row

A film screening of "The Window on Death Row" will be held on Wednesday, August 5 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Bishop Baker Center located next to Cathedral Parish School.

This documentary chronicles the story of Joaquin Jose Martinez, who after serving 5 years (3 on death row here in Florida) he was exonerated of the 2 murders he was accused of committing. The film explores his wrongful conviction, his Catholic Faith, and how his "near death" experience has led him to become an advocate for criminal justice reform and restorative justice.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion.

This event is free with no registration. It is being jointly sponsored by the FADP (Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty) and the Knights of Columbus Council 611 of St. Augustine.

Movie Trailer

Finding God in the Unexpected

A Conversation with Ignatian Friends

How do we find God in the unexpected moments of life? Join Loyola Press authors Becky Eldredge, Lori Stanley, Dr. Ansel Augustine, and Eric Clayton for a rich conversation about discovering God’s presence in the unexpected. Together, they will share stories, spiritual insights, and practical wisdom rooted in Ignatian spirituality and their own faith journeys. Whether in moments of joy, disruption, surprise, or uncertainty, God is already at work in your life. Come ready to be encouraged to encounter God where you might least expect it!

Finding God in the Unexpected

A Conversation with Ignatian Friends

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

2:00–3:00 p.m. central (1:00pm eastern)

Register for this webinar