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The Art of Accompanying Couples Preparing for Marriage

05/05/2023

“The art of accompanying couples” provides the basic knowledge and skills needed by leading couples commencing their ministry with engaged couples preparing for a Christian marriage. This course introduces those new to this ministry to the art of creating the necessary group dynamics, accompanying individual couples, and keeping up to date with information and methodologies in this particular field. This course addresses these needs by modelling the learning outcomes in the methodology of the course itself.

The intended learning outcomes: 

By the end of this course the students will be able to:

  • facilitate a group of young couples preparing for Christian marriage
  • accompany on a basic spiritual and emotional level young engaged couples preparing for a Christian marriage.
  • couples who are being introduced to the ministry of accompanying couples towards the sacrament of marriage; 
  • other couples who are already accompanying couples towards marriage as a form of ongoing formation.  (commonly known as koppji mexxejja) 

Target Audience Age: 19-65+

The course is delivered on Fridays between 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Throughout the course, the participants will be mentored by experienced Cana Couple Leaders (koppja mexxejja) Mr Chris and Ms Rosanne Triganza. Through useful tips and experiences, the couple can help participants with any queries they might have and to better understand their future role as a Cana Couple Leader (koppja mexxejja).

DateSessionLecturers
5th MaySession 1: Group Dynamics Mr Joseph Pellicano
12th MaySession 2: Skills for Accompanying Individuals Rev. Prof Paul Galea
19th MaySession 3: Growing Deeper in the Spiritual Dimension Mr Nicholas & Ms Mary Baldacchino
26th MaySession 4: Exploring Available Resources Part 1: Family Planning and Sexuality  Ms Christine Galea
2nd JuneSession 5: Exploring Available Resources
Part 2: Issues with moral theology related to the family 		Rev. Dr Carlo Calleja
8th & 9th JuneSession 6: Assessment Presentation by the Participating Couples Fr Charles Attard and Fr Aayrton Muscat
Leading Couple Shadowing Experience

After following the above course, the participants will have the opportunity to shadow an experienced couple during an actual Cana course. This will give the participants the chance to observe what being a couple leader (koppja mexxejja) entails.

This course is held on Fridays from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dates
SessionDatesTimes
LecturesFridays 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th May 20236:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Presentation SessionThursday 8th & Fridays 9th June 20236:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Leading Couple Shadowing Experience

After following the above course, the participants will have the opportunity to shadow an experienced couple during an actual Cana course. Dates and locations for this arrangement will be discussed individually with the applicants.

Assessment: short presentation during the last course session.

Certification: Certificate of Achievement

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, a student must; attend all the contact hours, complete the leading couple shadowing experience and pass successfully the assessment/s.

Teaching Institutions: Cana Movement together with Pastoral Formation Institute.

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

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.

Award in Developing Environmental Responsibility

19/04/2023   Parish Centre, Marsaskala
Developing Environmental Responsibility
MQF

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

The course is designed to inspire and empower participants in taking a stand on sustainability, both in their personal lives and in their communities.

Learning Outcomes
  • Understand the basic Environmental, Social, and Development Challenges we are facing as a country and globally.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable choices in their day-to-day life.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable change at a household, institution, and community level.
  • Reflect critically on their roles and identities as active citizens, consumers, and change-makers in a complex and interconnected world.

The Developing Environmental Responsibility is offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with inteko, CEER (University of Malta), and the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Adults with an interest in

  • developing environmental responsibility
  • engage in ecological conversion
  • further positioning themselves in front of the interconnected double challenge of preserving the environment and eradicating poverty. 
Target Audience Age: 18+
Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

This course is held on Wednesdays from 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
IFP/DER5In-Person (Face-to-Face Learning)2 ECTS
19th April 2023 – Knowing – the Social and Development challenges.
During this introductory lesson, we will discuss the Social and Development Challenge and how they impact us.
26th April 2023 – Knowing – the Environmental challenge.
Current local and global environmental challenges, and how they impact us.
3rd May 2023 – Caring for the Planet: Where do I stand?
Making sense of and taking a stand on the newly acquired knowledge and awareness of the first two sessions. We will examine our own lifestyles and patterns and identify areas that require a change.
10th May 2023 – Aligning my stated values with my daily behaviour.
During this lecture, participants will have an opportunity to engage critically in value clarification.
17th May 2023 – Ecological Conversion: A Spiritual Journey
Spirituality and Ecological Literacy. Living in an ethical and moral manner and meeting today`s challenges.
24th May 2023 – A shared vision and commitment
This session is a follow-up of the previous one but brings out the creation of community and the community mindset as a pre-requisite for overcoming today`s local and global challenges
31st May 2023 – How can we remain inspired?
In this concluding seminar, the participants will have the opportunity to share any behavioural changes they observed or trying to adopt in their day-to-day routine. This opportunity of sharing will help participants learn from each other in inspiring active change.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Assessment: Reflective Journal 

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Duration: 7 weeks (14 hours)

Certification:

This course has two exit certificates: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance 

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend 80 % of the contact hours

2. Certificate of Achievement  
To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

  • attend all the contact hours
  • and successfully complete a reflective journal.

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Final Award: Award in Developing Environmental Responsibility

MQF

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

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 competencies: The student is required to be proficient in Maltese;

– Digital competencies: The student is required to be digitally literate, i.e. knowing how to access the internet, must have an email address and use Moodle software and 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.

The Richness of the Various Christian Traditions

09/11/2022   Santa Rita Hall, Santa Rita Street, Birzebbuga

This course describes the commitment of the different Churches to seek unity after centuries of division. Great strides have been made in this area in the last 60 years with the result that separated Churches have come closer to each other and now collaborate in various ways. During this course, students will have the opportunity to appreciate the different rites and liturgy of Churches.

Course Aim:
  1. An appreciation of the history of the Church and how divisions came about among various Churches and Traditions
  2. Learning the basic terminology related to ecumenism
  3. Basic knowledge about the Christian East and the Christian West
  4. Knowing about the various efforts of ecumenical dialogue and the fruit achieved by pioneers in the field
  5. Appreciating the way other Churches celebrate the liturgy on the Lord’s Day
Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Those interested in the knowledge of the various Churches and their traditions.

Part 1: The Basic on the Search for Christian Unity
Session 1Basic Introduction to Ecumenism:
Basic jargon and historical overview of Ecumenism		Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
Session 2Churches and Rites in the Christian EastPapas Prof. Martin Zammit
Session 3The Genesis of the Ecumenical MovementDr Dorianne Buttigieg

Part 2: The Richness of the Various Christian Traditions
Session 4Churches and Traditions:
Their origins, development, and socio-religious context		Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri & Dr Andre P. Debattista
Church Liturgy/ Service
Session 5The Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Serbian Orthodox ChurchSerbian Orthodox Church, Birzebbuga
Session 6The Sunday Eucharist celebrated by the Church of EnglandSt Andrew`s Scots Church, Valletta
Session 7The Sunday Service at St Andrew`s Scots` ChurchSt Paul`s Pro-Cathedral, Valletta
Session Format
  • Four lectures on Wednesdays between 18:00-20:00 (8 hours).
  • Three Sunday Liturgy/Service (3 hours)
Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]
Calendar:
DateTimeVenue
9th November 202218:00 – 20:00Santa Rita Hall, Birzebbuga
16th November 202218:00 – 20:00Santa Rita Hall, Birzebbuga
23rd November 202218:00 – 20:00Santa Rita Hall, Birzebbuga
30th November 202218:00 – 20:00Santa Rita Hall, Birzebbuga
Sunday 4th December 20229:30 amSerbian Orthodox Church, Birzebbuga
Sunday 18th December 202210:30 amSt Andrew`s Scots Church, Valletta
Sunday 8th January 202310:30 amSt Paul`s Pro-Cathedral, Valletta

Students are asked to be present 30 minutes prior to the Sunday liturgy/service for an introductory session on-site.

This course has two exit certificate options

1.Certificate of Attendance:

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to students who have attended a minimum of 80% of all contact hours.

2. Certificate of Participation:

A Certificate of Participation* will be awarded to students who meet the attendance criteria and successfully complete the course multiple choice online exam.

Duration: 7 sessions

Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

* Attendance Criteria: students need to attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours.

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.