The Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis (PAC)

The Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis is a national collaboration focused on promoting a comprehensive and contemporary vision of adolescent catechesis in the Roman Catholic Church, committed to developing effective structures and approaches to Catholic faith formation and evangelization of younger and older adolescents in parishes and schools.

Who We Are

The three national organizations comprising the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis are the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), and the National Conference for Catechteical Leadership (NCCL).  Additional support is provided by representatives from the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).

NFCYM (National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry) Founded in 1982, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is a professional organization of affiliated dioceses and collaborating members which exists to serve those who serve youth in the Catholic Church.  NFCYM participates in the mission of the Catholic Church by advocating for and supporting Catholic youth ministry on the national, diocesan, and local level.  www.nfcym.org       NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association) The NCEA strives to advance the educational and catechetical mission of the Catholic Church.   Founded in 1904, the association now serves over 200,000 Catholic educators and offers research, training, and service in areas from curriculum development to technology integration.  A vital aspect of the NCEA mission is to promote continuing excellence and growth in catechesis and religious education.  Through its Department of Religious Education, NCEA provides support for catechetical and religious education leaders at the parish, school, and diocesan levels.  Together, their goal is to help students become mature Christians, knowledgeable of their religion, and committed to their faith.  www.ncea.org       NCCL (National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) The National Conference for Catechetical Leadership is a 40-year-old professional association dedicated to advancing excellence in catechetical leadership at diocesan and parish levels.  Academics and members of the Catholic publishing community are also included in its membership of 2700. www.nccl.org

Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis Members

The PAC is currently led by representatives from each of the collaborating organizations:   1.  Robert McCarty, D.Min.        Executive Director, NFCYM   2.  Michael Theisen        Director of Membership Services, NFCYM, and PAC Convener   3.  Lori Dahlhoff        Executive Director, Department of Religious Education, NCEA   4.  Fr. John Serio, SDB        Principal, Don Bosco Christo Rey High School, Takoma Park, MD, and         NCEA Secondary Schools Representative   5.  Leland D. Nagel        Executive Director, NCCL   6.  Mark Pacione        Associate Director for School Planning, Archdiocese of Baltimore, and         NCCL Representative   7.  Sr. Eileen McCann, CSJ        Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, USCCB   8.  Alejandro Aguilera-Titus        Assistant Director, Cultural Diversity in the Church, USCCB   9. Jeannine Marino        Program Specialist, Evangelization and Catechesis, USCCB 10.  Ela Milewska         Project Coordinator, National Initiative on Adolescent Catechesis

PAC Website:  www.adolescentcatechesis.org