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Emotional Support In The Community

  Ta` Mlit, Mosta

The aim of this course is to empower persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector, such as pastoral workers; volunteers; and other persons interested in improving their relationships, with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed whilst interacting with parishioners or other persons. This course introduces pastoral workers or volunteers to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through studying and discussing these methods, students become more aware of the tools which help them in their work with different people who come from various cultural and social backgrounds. The course aims to create an opportunity to reflect on the methods they use during their work and relationships and evaluate their work.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand the basic helping theories and skills;
  • know how to listen and respond appropriately;
  • be able to support the person emotionally and spiritually;
  • know when to refer a person to professional help.

Persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector. Namely:

  • Persons who listen and accompany colleagues and friends on a regular basis at their workplace, within their family, etc…
  • Pastoral workers, volunteers or those who come in contact with persons, families in need, or visit residential homes.  
  • Persons who are interested in developing their relationships. 

Target Audience Age: 18+

In this session participants will explore helping skills used during pastoral work, including listening to people, supporting, and validating feelings.

The learning outcomes of this session are:
  • to learn how to be present with people physically, emotionally, and mentally.
  • to learn how to help a person feel accepted, understood and not judged.

In this session, the important skill of being empathic when helping people will be discussed. There will be the opportunity to practice this skill during the session. At the same time, the practice of maintaining boundaries will be thoroughly discussed, as having clear and established limits in our work contribute to safe connections.

The learning outcomes of this session are:
  • to become aware of the importance of empathy;
  • to be able to practice ways of empathic communication;
  • to be able to practice self-care through having healthy boundaries.

In this session, the student will become more self-aware; the individual is encouraged to reflect and be aware of his/her strengths, challenges, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

 The outcomes of this session are:

  • to be able to engage in reflective practice;
  • to be able to identify one’s strengths and challenges;
  • to be able to bring about changes in the attitudes and ways of working.

In this session, students will be invited to look at their own spiritual life and become aware of how this is manifested and expressed in their personal lives and within the community. It will also investigate cultural varieties and other religious denominations and/or spiritual practices and trends within the parish, and how these influence individual as well as community/parish life, and vice versa. This session will also touch on the notion of spiritual accompaniment and religious practices, how they differ, and how they can complement each other.

The outcomes of this session are:
  • to gain a better understanding of the spirituality as lived in the community;
  • to gain awareness by reflecting on one’s own spiritual lives and discourse and how these can influence the community they are part of;
  • to gain an understanding of the notion of spiritual accompaniment and how this can be put into practice.

In this session, the student will become aware of when s/he should refer a person to professional help, why confidentiality is important when working in a pastoral context and what are the limits to confidentiality.

The outcomes of this session are:
  • to learn and be able to differentiate amongst various helping professionals and services available;
  • to be able to guide and link people to further specialised help when required.

 

The course is delivered in 5 sessions (10 contact hours) over 5 weeks. The 2 hour weekly sessions are held on Fridays between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre. Free parking facilities are available.

Fridays at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
DateLecture TitleLecturer
Friday 14th April 2023Learning how to listen, contain and validate feelings Mr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 21st April 2023Learning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundaries as a pastoral worker/non-professionalMr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 28th April 2023Learning how to support others emotionally as a pastoral worker/non-professionalMr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 12th May 2023How to support others spiritually as a pastoral worker/non-professionalMs Marisa Gatt
Friday 19th May 2023Learning when, where and how to refer someone to professional helpMr Joseph Pellicano
Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend all the course contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend all the contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam. 

3. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must: 

  • attend all the contact hours;  
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exam; 
  • and successfully complete a Case Study Analysis of at least 500 words;

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Qualifications: Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to judge applications on the basis of academic potential. We do consider a very wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.

Language: Primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Knows how to access the internet and use a word processor.

How to Understand & Deliver Better the Bible as a Catechist

  Refectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana, & Ċentru Parrokkjali Santu r-Rokku, Valletta

Inspired by the biblical verse “your Word is a lamp to my feetand a light to my path” Psalm 119, the aim of this short course is to equip catechists with the information needed regarding the main biblical books which are key texts of the Christian life and of the catechesis for children, adolescents and adults. 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • to understand more about the books of the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Gospels;
  • to understand what parables are and how they are different from stories and other genres;
  • to understand the miracles as described in the Bible;
  • to respond appropriately when students ask questions related to the Bible;
  • to apply what they have learnt to a young audience.

If you would like to attend any number of seminars instead of the whole course, email [email protected]

  • Catechists who do not have an academic background in theology;
  • Persons who have a certificate in either Faith Foundations for Ministry or a General Education Award in Evangelisation
  • Parents who wish to learn how to share Biblical passages with their children. 
  • Other persons interested in the subject, may also apply.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The aim of this session is to present the Bible not as a code of conduct or morality book but rather as a text where we encounter people who had a faith journey in God. In addition, it will also present the Bible as a tool, through which, we, the people of God living today, can also grow in our own faith in Jesus and God.

The aim of this session is to delve deeper into the first 5 books of the Bible. Attention will be given to the cultural backgrounds and literary genres presented in these books. Students will have the opportunity to appreciate, interpret, and teach from these books in their ministry.

The aim of this session is to understand the role of the prophet in the Old Testament as well as to explore the various theological themes which emerge in these books. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to teach from these books in their ministry.

Who were Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and why is Jesus portrayed so differently in each gospel? The aim of this session is to present the diversity found in the synoptic gospels and the gospel of John and at the same time examine the unity found between them.

The aim of this session is the help the learner understand what a miracle is and what is its significance. In addition, parables are also explored as both a spiritual and a teaching tool. Methods for interpreting and applying miracles and parables as an interesting way of teaching are also explored.

This will be a reflective session which will provide an opportunity for the students to evaluate what they have learnt throughout the course as well as explore how the word of God is speaking to them today.

 

The course is delivered over 12 contact hours over 6 Saturdays. The 2-hour seminars are held on Saturdays between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Saturdays at 10:00 am – 12:00pm
SessionDate & TimeLecturerVenue
The Bible as a Faith Experience22nd October 2022Fr Peter EllulRefectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
The Pentateuch19th November 2022Dr Joseph CiapparaRefectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
The Prophets 21st January 2023Dr Joseph CiapparaRefectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
The Four Gospels25th February 2023Fr Peter EllulRefectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
Parables and Miracles29th April 2023Fr Terence Spiteri OSARefectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
Inspired by the Word of God20th May 2023Rev Dr Jimmy BonniciĊentru Parrokkjali Santu r-Rokku, Valletta
This course has two exit certificate options: 
  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend all the course contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend all the contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam. 

Teaching Institution: Lifelong Catechesis

Final Award: How to Understand & Deliver Better the Bible as a Catechist

Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

Duration: 6 Saturdays

Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to judge applications on the basis of academic potential. We do consider a very wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.