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Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces

21/11/2023   Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Students who successfully complete this course may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

This course is designed to:

  • Equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills required to create and run a prayer space in a given setting.
  • Offer participants the opportunity to grow in their connectedness with their own self, with others, with the world, and with God through the prayer spaces experience.
  • Enable participants to accompany others and explore their faith, spirituality, and life’s essential questions in a safe, creative, and interactive way. 
  • Lead participants to understand better the shift from living merely to functioning, fulfilling demands and expectations to a more meaningful life.
  • Invite the participants to become aware that relationships are strengthened when one takes the time to appreciate and reflect upon them.

A prayer space can be set in various places. The setting can be a school, a youth centre, a parish hall, the workplace, an open-plan area, or an outdoor place.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

  1. Define what a prayer space is;
  2. Identify different age groups of children and young people attending the prayer space;
  3. Communicate in different ways with children, young people, or adults according to their age, culture, and language during a prayer space;
  4. Identify suitable interested members of the staff/personnel who are willing to form a team to prepare and animate prayer spaces in their respective schools;
  5. Draw up a plan for planning, preparing, setting up, and running prayer spaces;
  6. Report what educators and students said after they have experienced prayer spaces for themselves;
  7. Evaluate what went well, identify difficulties and challenges in setting a prayer space;
  8. Understand that at the most basic level, prayer spaces give students a way to reflect and develop reflective thinking skills in terms of the four key relationships: the self, others, the world, and God;
  9. Make a connection between prayer spaces and other subjects
  1. Reflect personally on a prayer space;
  2. Plan a prayer space;
  3. Prepare for the setting of prayer spaces;
  4. Create simple and clear instruction cards, and prepare the resources related to the prayer space;
  5. Set up the physical prayer space in any given space and/or venue.
  6. Demonstrate a welcoming attitude to all children and young people of all faith and none who will be experiencing a prayer space;
  7. Lead the children and young people to the safe, hands-on, creative prayer space and, when necessary, animate the prayer spaces;
  8. Show a sense of accompaniment and being there for the person;
  9. Operate with other members of staff who wish to give a helping hand before, during, and after the setting of a prayer space activity;
  10. Recruit and train a prayer space team;
  11. Run a Prayer Space;
  12. Do a follow-up of a prayer spaces session.

This course is targeted at all those who wish to help children, young people, and adults grow in their prayer life, namely:

  • Educators,
  • Catechists,
  • Youth workers,
  • Youth leaders,
  • Youth ministers,
  • Religious counsellors,
  • Chaplains and lay chaplains,
  • Priests and religious.  

Target Audience Age: 18+

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
SPR5002In-Person (Face-to-Face Learning)2 ECTS
Rev. Paul Chetcuti SJ

The lecturer will introduce the concepts of prayer, spirituality, and religion. Participants will become aware of the superficial vs meaning-making, being, and the development of symbolic language. 

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture will follow about the values of prayer spaces, and participants will learn that prayer spaces are spiritual, reflective, inclusive, professional, and Christian.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. During the lecture about the purpose and theology of prayer spaces, participants will learn that prayer spaces help one reflect and develop reflective thinking skills; and see this in terms of four key relationships: the self, other people, the World, the sacred, and divine. They will also learn that God made everyone spiritual; God has a mission, welcomes, hears, cares, speaks, and acts.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about preparing for the setting of prayer spaces will follow. Participants will learn how to get started with prayer spaces.

Ms Silvana Cardona:

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about creating prayer activities will follow. Participants will learn how to choose and create prayer activities directed to the self, others, the World, and God and create activities that are a mix of learning styles; writing, listening, looking, reading, and doing.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer space stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about how to recruit and train an excellent prayer space team will follow, and participants will learn to recruit people who are prayerful, inclusive, reflective, professional, and safe. Participants will also learn how to set a good prayer space and how it can be welcoming to anyone who wishes to visit. They learn how to gather feedback and write a report as a follow-up.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

 

 Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

The course is delivered over 18 contact hours spread over six 3-hour sessions.

Lectures will be held from 17:00 – 20:00

DateSession Title
Tuesday21.11,2023Introduction to Prayer
Thursday 23.11.2023The Values of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday28.11.2023The Purpose of Prayer Spaces and Prayer Spaces Theology
Thursday30.11.2023Preparing for the setting of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday05.12.2023Creating Prayer Activities
Thursday07.12.2023Recruiting and training a prayer space team, running a Prayer Space and follow up

Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend at least 80% of the course’s contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students need to meet the attendance criteria and successfully conclude the course multiple-choice online exam. 

3. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must: 

  • attend at least 80% of the course`s contact hours;  
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exam (40% of global assessment); 
  • and successfully complete an assignment of 500 – 800 words about the steps needed to plan, prepare, set up, and evaluate an actual prayer space, including photos or short videos (up to 3 mins).

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Funding
Students completing the Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

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.

For courses offered in face-to-face learning and Blended Learning, it is required that applicants reside in the Maltese Islands and use their Maltese address in their application form.

For further information regarding visa requirements, head to Identity Malta’s VISA requirement for third-country nationals.

CPD – Formation Course on Liturgy For Catechists

28/10/2023   Refectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana, & Ċentru Parrokkjali Santu r-Rokku, Valletta

While nurturing an understanding of the mystery of Christ, catechesis also assists in comprehending and experiencing liturgical celebrations. These formative sessions help catechists grasp the importance of liturgy in the Church’s life, introducing a deeper knowledge of sacraments and sacramental life, especially the Eucharist – the source and summit of Christian life. Moreover, this course aims to offer an interpretation of sacred rites in light of salvific events, in accordance with Church Tradition and provides an introduction to the meaning of liturgical signs. Participants, primarily catechists, will thus be better prepared to share the acquired knowledge within their own communities.

  • Catechists
  • Other persons interested in the subject, may also apply.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Session format

Lectures will be on Saturdays from 9:30am to 11:30am starting from 28th October 2023.

DateLecture Title
28/10/2023Introduction to Liturgy
18/11/2023The Liturgical Year
27/01/2024Baptism
24/02/2024The Sacrament of Confirmation
27/04/2024The Eucharist
25/05/2024The Practical Aspects Related To The Liturgical Celebration for Children
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. 

Final Award: Formation Course on Liturgy For Catechists

Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

Duration: 6 Saturdays

Qualifications

Each application will be evaluated based on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute welcomes a diverse array of qualifications, aiming to assess applications primarily in terms of academic potential. We consider a broad spectrum of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, alongside relevant work experiences and skills.

 

The Art of Accompanying Couples Preparing for Marriage

05/05/2023
The of Accompanying Couples for Marriage

 

This course equips individuals with essential knowledge and skills crucial for guiding engaged couples embarking on their journey towards a Christian marriage. Designed for those new to this ministry, the program introduces participants to the art of fostering essential group dynamics, supporting individual couples, and staying abreast of the latest information and methodologies in this field. By the end of this course the students will be able to facilitate a group of young couples preparing for Christian marriage and provide them with basic emotional and spiritual support.

Parish/es or church entities who wish to offer this course in their premises kindly contact [email protected]. This arrangement can take place if a minimum of 5 couples from said parish/es or church entities apply for this course.

  • couples who are being introduced to the ministry of accompanying couples towards the sacrament of marriage; 
  • couples who are already accompanying other couples towards marriage and want to continue forming themselves in this aspect

Target Audience Age: 19-65+

This course consists of two components: the theoretical and practical aspects of accompanying couples for marriage.

Theoretical Component

In this component, participants will delve the the following topics:

DateDay of WeekTimeSession
10th January 2024Wednesday6:00pm – 9:00pmSession 1: Group Dynamics 
17th January 2024Wednesday6:00pm – 9:00pmSession 2: Skills for Accompanying Individuals 
24th January 2024Wednesday6:00pm – 9:00pmSession 3: Growing Deeper in the Spiritual Dimension 
31st January 2024Wednesday6:00pm – 9:00pmSession 4: Exploring Available Resources Part 1: Family Planning and Sexuality  
7th February 2024Wednesday6:00pm – 9:00pmSession 5: Exploring Available Resources Part 2: Issues with moral theology related to the family 
17th February 2024Saturday9:30am – 12:30pmSession 6: Assessment Presentation by the Participating Couples 

Practical Component

In this component, participants will shadow an experienced Cana couple leader throughout a Cana course to experience first-hand the responsibilities and intricacies of being a Cana couple leader. The scheduling details for this component will be collaboratively determined through discussions with each student, taking into account the specific needs of the Parish they’re coming from.

This course has one exit certificate option:

Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend all contact hours, complete shadowing experience and pass from in-class assessment.

Teaching Institutions: Cana Movement together with Pastoral Formation Institute.

Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Each application will be evaluated based on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute welcomes a diverse range of qualifications, and our assessment is primarily focused on academic potential. We carefully review a broad spectrum of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, in addition to considering relevant work experience and skills. Our goal is to holistically assess applicants and recognize the various strengths they bring to the program.

The Human Experience of God in Prayer

05/02/2022   Lecture Room 3, Archdiocese of Malta, Floriana
prayer

During this course, participants are invited to experience the beauty of their relationship with God in prayer. The aim of the course is for the participants to deepen their understanding of prayer as essential to our journey of faith.  

The course will be spread over six Saturdays, exploring different approaches to prayer, including scripture, icons, and experiential texts.  

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Adults who wish to explore and delve deeper into their relationship with God in prayer.

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]
Lecturer
Prayer as the Motor of Spiritual LifeRev Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Prayer in the Old TestamentRev Dr Stefan Attard
Prayer in the New TestamentSr Marie Scicluna rscj
Vocal PrayerRev Dr Mark Sultana
Liturgical and Ecclesial Aspects of PrayerMr Emanuel Micallef
Praying with IconsProf Adrian Gellel

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

This course is held on Saturdays from 9:00 am -12:00 pm

Mode of Delivery: In person
05/02/2022Introduction to the course: Prayer as the Motor of the Spiritual Life
12/02/2022Prayer in the Old Testament
19/02/2022Prayer in the New Testament
05/03/2022Vocal Prayer
12/03/2022Liturgical and Ecclesial Aspects of Prayer
09/04/2022Praying with Icons

Assessment: no assessment

Final Award: Certificate of Attendance

Duration: 3 months (18 hours)

Certification: A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded after successful* completion of the course

* To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must: attend a minimum of 70% of each module

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.