It is with deep sadness that the catechetical community mourns the passing of Leland Nagel, the Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.
Just one week ago, hundreds of members of the catechetical community gathered with Lee in St. Louis for the NCCL Conference. This weekend, Lee was visiting his brother’s family and was with them when he entered into eternal life, passing away in his sleep Sunday night/Monday morning.
Here is a fitting tribute from Denise Anderson who shared these thoughts on FB:
Though he has currently been serving as Executive Director for the NCCL, National Catechetical Conference on Leadership in Washington DC, his life has spanned years of friendship, service, and generosity; growing up in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he co-founded the Shade Tree Players, brought Ronald McDonald to life in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, energized new faith through Search for Christian Maturity and confirmation retreats, fostered the God’s Child Project to support poverty stricken and orphaned children in Guatemala, invited hundreds of students into learning through his work in admissions at the University of Mary in Bismarck, and more through his educational and catechetical leadership in the Diocese of Green Bay and throughout the United States.
Beyond all of that he dined, laughed, sang, prayed, told stories, reveled in books and theatre, and brought faith to life in all that he did; full heart and full on – always, beyond the limits of sleep, time, travel, and most other boundaries. Arrangements for honoring his life are still in process here, but may the angels greet him now and welcome him into a paradise of feasting that never ends. Prayers for all who grieve. Thanks for 37+ years of friendship, memories, wit, appreciation, love, dancing, gifts, ministry, daffodils, and escapades. It’s hard to believe any of it could just end… May God welcome you warmly home.+
Amen.
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