ABOUT
NCCL CATHOLIC KIDS
TWO IMPORTANT FAITH-FOCUSED CHILDREN'S PROJECTS...
Welcome to NCCL's Nurturing the Faith of Children through Catholic Worship & Prayer Initiative. With a generous grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., NCCL is developing two national projects as part of the Initiative, and inviting parishes and Catholic elementary schools to participate.Â
The first Project focuses on Children and Catholic Worship with the goal of engaging children (and their parents) more fully and meaningfully in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church. A major emphasis in this Project will be on liturgical formation and child-friendly ways to engage all children in Sunday Mass. NCCL can accept a maximum of 50 parishes and schools to participate.Â
The second Project focuses on Children and Prayer with the goal of creating a developmentally-appropriate Catholic prayer curriculum for young children and grade school children that can be implemented at home, in the school, and in the parish. NCCL has accepted over 50 parishes and schools to participate.Â
The Lilly Endowment, Inc. grant allows NCCL to provide all resources, services, training, and the 2029 conference at no cost to participating parishes and Catholic schools.
WORSHIP PROJECT COORDINATORÂ
John Michael B. Reyes
John Michael holds a master of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (Berkeley, California) as well as graduate certificates in liturgical art and architecture, from St. John's School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota, and in facilitating the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, through the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, Pennsylvania. A highly sought-after liturgy coordinator and cantor, his extensive professional background includes roles as an educator, hospital chaplain, retreat and spiritual director, and campus minister specializing in liturgy, sacramental formation, and adult faith formation. He is a team member for Team Initiation, and has contributed written works to Ave Maria Press, Liturgical Press, LTP, Paulist Press, and Twenty-Third Publications.
Worship Project Overview
PRAYERÂ PROJECT COORDINATOR
Jane Angha
Jane is the founder and dreamer behind Ministry Blueprints. With years of director, coordinator, and mentorship experience in parish, diocesan, and non-profit ministry, she brings to the work of hospitality a broad knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of faith communities and a passion for them to be places of welcome and belonging. Jane holds a BS in Education and Religious Studies and a Master of Theology. She is a national conference speaker and moderator, retreat leader, writer and currently part of NCCL and NFCYM project teams.
Prayer Project OverviewThanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.
The NCCL CATHOLIC KIDS Worship & Prayer Initiative is brought to you by the National Community of Catechetical Leaders.
 NCCL is dedicated to promoting the ministries of evangelization and catechesis in the U.S. Catholic Church by fostering a community of leaders ​who proclaim ​and teach the Word of Jesus Christ ​through the witness of accompaniment, education, and formation in the Catholic faith.