Upon request – Pastoral Formation Institute

Sport and Community Building

16/05/2024 Catholic Institute, Floriana

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sport and Community Building is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

The local community is central to God’s work. This module will explore and identify ways in which different groups in the local community can make stronger and healthier communities across generations. It illustrates the various ways in which sports has been serving in building God’s Kingdom. Learners will be able to learn sport-related skills and language to teach the values and apply learnt knowledge to their particular setting. Learners will also be able to organise and create sport camps and festivals according to their specific context, looking also at the practical aspect of such organisation

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,
Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,
School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality).

Target Audience Age: 18+

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
PFE5004	– Weekly Lectures – Practicum	2 ECTS

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Lecturers: Sr Rachel Camilleri ASGM

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

Part 1: Theory

Dates	Dates	Times	Venue
Thursdays	16.05.2024 – 13.06.2024	18:00 – 20:00	Catholic Institute, Floriana

Part 2: Practicum

Over the summer period, participants are asked to partake in 10 hours of practicum. Participants can choose to either take part in a Summer Camp or organise an activity in a youth group they are a member of. More information about this part of the course will be given to applicants during the course.

Assessment: Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60

Assessment Explanation: These will take into consideration these key criteria: activity content and design of the event, implementation and evaluation of an activity.

Participants are expected to devise and put into practice the planned activity with a concluding evaluative report. The content and practice have to reflect in practice the principles learnt during the module.

For this Assignment or Activity, participants are to take into consideration one of the following cohorts: young (4 to 10 years), adolescents (11-15 years), youth (16 – 30 years) and adults (31+).

Duration: 5 sessions part-time including:

Contact hours – 10 hours
Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 10 hours
Self-Study Hours – 20 hours
Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment}

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sports and Commmunity Building is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

Applicants must be in possession of:

Proficient in English
Minimum Level: O level or equivalent
Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport
Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct.

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.

Values in Sports Ministry

07/03/2024 Catholic Institute, Floriana

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Values in Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

The aim of this module is for participants to learn about the true values of sports and the inter-relationship with Christian/Biblical values.

Learn how to experientially transmit the true values of sports through the different myriad of sports/play activities. This will be applied in a way to address the specific age groups that form our parishes, communities and educational institutions, through the integration of Christian/Biblical teachings.

To understand that the value-based programmes can also be extended to mainstream coaching and to influence secular spheres within our communities.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,
Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,
School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality).

Target Audience Age: 18+

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
ASM5003	Weekly Lectures	2 ECTS

Lecturers: Mr David Azzopardi & Mr Karl Cortis

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

Dates	Dates	Times	Venue
Thursdays	07.03.2024 – 25.04.2024	18:00 – 20:00	Catholic Institute, Floriana

Easter Recess between 25th March and 7th April 2024

Assessment: Written Assessment

Duration: 7 sessions part-time including:

Contact hours – 14 hours
Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 0 hours
Self-Study Hours – 26 hours
Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment}

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Award

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Applicants must be in possession of:

Proficient in English
Minimum Level: O level or equivalent
Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport
Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct.

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.

Sports as a Means for Holistic Development

18/01/2024 Catholic Institute, Floriana

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sports as a Means for Holistic Development is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

This module aims to reveal the natural values that are inherent in play/sports and how these values serve one’s personal development. The aim is to help Christians learn how to integrate their lives (especially in relation to sports) in a way that their core Christian values are lived out authentically and to the full.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,
Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,
School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality).

Target Audience Age: 18+

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
PFE5002	– Practicum sessions – Weekly Lectures	2 ECTS

Lecturers: Rev Bernard Micallef

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

Session	Dates	Times	Venue
Thursdays	18.01.2024 – 29.02.2024	18:00 – 20:00	Catholic Institute, Floriana

Assessment: Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60%

Assessment Explanation: To engage with a Christian-based organisation and devise either a plan of how a specific sports-based programme could be set up in their respective organisation or focus on one specific event/activity that can be held within the remit of the organisation. Eg. Lenten sessions using sports etc.

Final Award: Award in Sports Ministry

Duration: 7 lectures, part-time including:

Contact hours – 10 hours
Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 7 hours
Self-Study Hours – 23 hours
Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment}

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Award

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Introduction to Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

Applicants must be in possession of:

Proficient in English
Minimum Level: O level or equivalent
Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport
Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct.

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.

Accompanying Persons Towards Christian Initiation

15/01/2024

The main objective of this course is to form persons, who are committed Catholics, to provide individual accompaniment to persons who are on a journey to join the Catholic Church and those who would be in their first months as baptised Catholics. Typically, these persons would act as sponsors as understood in the Rite (Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), starting from assisting the enquirers in their process of discerning whether to become members of the Church and accompanying them all the way to Mystagogy.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 50% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

This course is intended for committed Catholics who would like to share their experience of what it means to be part of the Church with persons who are in a process of discernment about whether to become Catholics. Ideally, these persons would be active in a particular parish where the persons that they would be accompanying could become eventually rooted following their baptism.

This course does not entitle the student to become an accompanying person for Catechumens. The accompanying persons are appointed by the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Team in collaboration with the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the respective community.

Target audience: 25+

Code	Mode of Delivery
ICM4001	Asynchronous

This module offers a basic introduction to key themes of the main areas of Christian theology. These include fundamental, scriptural, dogmatic, ecclesiological, and ethical theological concepts guiding the evangelising mission of the Church.

By the end of the module, the learner will become aware of what the sources of theology and gain a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

Code	Mode of Delivery
ACI4001	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)

In this module, students will explore the below themes (in bold):

The Initiation in the Early Church (sources: Didache’, the Traditio Apostolica, the Apostolic Constitutions and Egeria’s Diary)

Initiation rites have developed very early in the Christian Church. This was definitely influenced by contemporary culture and religions. The persecution which continually ensued against the Christians in the Roman Empire also necessitated that those who wanted to become Christians had the appropriate characteristics and their motivations were tested before they were admitted to the community of believers. Various documents, which date back to the first centuries of the Church provide us with significant information about Christian Initiation in the Early Church.

The development of the Rite/Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults (Vatican II and afterwards)

During the years preceding the convocation of the Second Vatican Council there was a particular movement in the Church to restructure the catechumenate for adult persons who wanted to become Catholic in such a way that it was modelled on the Christian Initiation in the Early Church. The efforts of this movement were promoted by the Second Vatican Council’s general orientation towards updating the Church (aggiornamento) by going to its roots (ressourcement).

Principles of Spiritual Accompaniment

Accompanying a person who is on the journey towards becoming a member of the Catholic Church is one of spiritual nature. Therefore, it is essential to provide a short exposition of the fundamental principles of spiritual accompaniment.

The role of the sponsor through the RCIA process

The sponsor needs to assume various roles throughout the RCIA process, depending on the stage the candidates are in and according to their personal needs. During these sessions, the various roles which a sponsor would be expected to play during this process are identified and discussed. Moreover, since candidates would be coming from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, an appreciation of such diversity and its impact will also be provided.

Code	Mode of Delivery
ACI4002	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)

Those who successfully finish Module 2 – Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation may apply for this module which will consist in a 20 hour supervised accompaniment of a person going through the RCIA process, whilst being supported by other persons such as the parish priest and the catechists who will be providing catechesis to the person concerned, often in a group context.

Calendar for Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation

Sessions will be held on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Date	Session
15th January 2024	Session 1: The Initiation in the Early Church (sources: Didache’, the Traditio Apostolica, Apostolic Constitutions and Egeria’s Diary)
22nd January 2024	Session 2: The Development of the Rite/Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults (Vatican II and afterwards)
29th January 2024	Session 3: Principles of Spiritual Accompaniment (1)
5th February 2024	Session 4: Principles of Spiritual Accompaniment (2)
12th February 2024	Session 5: The Role of the Sponsor Through the RCIA process

Calendar dates for Module 3: Accompaniment Placement will be made available to eligible students closer to starting date of module.

Unless deemed exempt by the institute, students will start this course from Module 1: Faith Foundations for Ministry. Upon completion of this module:

A Certificate of Participation in Faith Foundations for Ministry will be awarded to students that have attended all contact hours of Module 1: Faith Foundations for Ministry and pass associated short multiple-choice exam.
A Certificate of Achievement in Faith Foundations for Ministry will be awarded to students that have attended all contact hours of Module 1: Faith Foundation for Ministry, pass from associated short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Those that were required to complete Module 1: Faith Foundations for Ministry will be eligible to continue course upon successful completion of said module i.e., through obtaining one of the above certificates. Those that were exempt from doing Module 1: Faith Foundations for Ministry will start directly from Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation.

Upon completion Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation and Module 3: Accompaniment Placement a Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to students:

that have attended all contact hours (of both modules)
that pass from interview subjected in Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation
that pass from Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation written assignment
that pass from Module 3: Accompaniment Placement reflective journal.

Enrolment for this course necessitates a recommendation from the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the relevant community, a requirement that is subsequently verified by PFI.

Applicants who are in possession of an MQF/EQF Level 4 or higher qualification in Religious Studies and/or Theology and/or have successfully completed the Higher Education Award in Theology offered by PFI are exempted from Module 1 Faith Foundation for Ministry. A formal email is sent to applicants once Parish Priest recommendation and highest qualification is verified.

If applicants do not possess the required qualifications, they must follow the Module 1: Faith Foundations for Ministry course for free which must be successfully completed before starting Module 2: Historical and Theological Perspectives of Christian Initiation.

Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

16/12/2023 The Archbishop`s Curia

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 6, as a Higher Education Programme.

Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools is being considered a bridge between faith(s) and culture(s) in the contemporary context. People involved in this mission are to be well prepared in order to be effective instruments of sharing the joy of the Gospel and Gospel values within schools in the current pluralistic society.

Course Aim:

This course gives participants the knowledge and practical skills needed to enhance effective Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools. The course assists participants to build a range of skills necessary for this ministry: reflective, analytical, critical and synthetic, leadership, collaborative, interpersonal, listening, planning, and implementation.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

This course is open to all people involved in the educational sector or with an expressed interest to work in this area.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
THM6017	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)	3 ECTS

In this module, participants will be introduced to the concept of Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in schools and prepare them for this mission. Participants will get the opportunity to discuss and learn how pastoral care/ chaplaincy can be a means to facilitate dialogue between faith(s) and culture(s) in our contemporary pluralistic society. In this module, we will articulate how to nurture a wholesome attitude towards life, different religions and cultures, and the whole of creation, founded on Gospel values and the teachings of the Church.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
THM6019	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)	3 ECTS

This module offers the participants the opportunity to examine the richness and the challenges of a multicultural and multifaith environment within the school community in the context of Pastoral Theology.

In the context of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy, Pastoral Theology enables the people involved in this ministry to nurture in their life and in the life of the whole school community the truth that;

“[t]he nature of the reign of God is the communion of all human beings between themselves and with God”
( Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio)

This theme will be discussed through selected Scriptural texts and texts from the teachings of the Church and early Church Fathers.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
THM6018	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)	3 ECTS

By the end of this module, participants will be able to identify various ways of fostering a relationship with the Transcendent/God through different methods of Prayer. Participants will be able to become more familiar with :

the meaning of spirituality,
the spiritual development of the young (4-10 yrs.), youth (11-16yrs.), and adults (18+), keeping in mind contemporary culture/s.
how to plan and conduct various spiritual encounters and activities with the young (4-10yrs), youth (11-16yrs) and adults (18+).

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
THM6020	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)	3 ECTS

The aim of this module is to enable participants to build resources to design and enrich liturgical and religious celebrations/activities in schools through exploring and adapting artistic expressions, media, and IT resources in the context of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
THM6021	In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)	5 ECTS

This module is divided into three parts;

Part One: One-day seminar – This seminar will enable participants to relate various leadership models and collaboration strategies to Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools.

Part Two: Half-day spiritual retreat: where participants will have time to reflect on their own spiritual journey in the light of selected Biblical texts and spiritual literature.

Part Three: Online reading: Four papers are going to be presented as online reading. These papers are related to all the modules and will enable participants to reflect on the different ways that Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy is expressed around the world. Participants will be asked to critically analyze and review these articles and use them to evaluate national experiences.

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

Session Format

Twenty-eight lectures on Thursday between 15:30-17:45 (60 hours). This time period was specifically chosen to assist our participants in achieving a better family-work/study-balanced life.
One day-seminar on Saturday 16th December 2023, between 8:30 – 14:30 ( 6 hours )
Morning Retreat (5 hours)
Online learning (12 hours)

THM6021: Internalizing and Evaluating various perspectives of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools. – Part 1

Date	Time	Venue
16th December	8:30 – 14:30	Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat

THM6017: Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools: Promoting Human Dignity and Gospel Values in Contemporary Cultures.

Date	Time	Venue
11th, 18th, & 25th January	15:30 – 17:45	Catholic Institute
1st, 15th, 22nd, & 29th February	15:30 – 17:45	Catholic Institute

Carnival Recess – Thursday 8^th – Tuesday 12^th February 2024

THM6019: Nurturing Spirituality through Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in Schools

Date	Time	Venue
7th, 14th, & 21st March	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute
18th & 25th April	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute
2nd May	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute

Easter Recess: Monday 25^th March – Sunday 7^th April 2024

THM6018: Pastoral Theology in relation to Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in Schools

Date	Time	Venue
9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th May	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute
6th, 13thy & 20th June	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute

THM6020: Practical ways of Enriching Liturgical Celebrations and Religious Activities in Schools.

Date	Time	Venue
26th September	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st October	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute
7th November	15:30-17:45	Catholic Institute

THM6021: Internalizing and Evaluating various perspectives of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools. Part 2

Date	Time	Venue
22nd June	8:30 – 12:30	Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat

Assessment: Written assignments. Each assignment will be handed-in for every module

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Final Award: Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

EQF/MQF Level: Level 6

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 17 ECTS

Duration: 1 year part-time (84 hours)

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

_{* To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and Pass successfully the assignment}

Every application will be considered on its individual merits* and includes:

Full qualification at MQF Level 4 (A Level / Intermediate) or equivalent
Proficient in English and/or Maltese language
Basic digital competencies (able to do research)
Expressed interest in Pastoral Care and/or chaplaincy in state or non-state schools.

*The applicant will be refunded if not eligible for the course.

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 Priest as an Emotional Support Giver

13/11/2023 Ta` Mlit, Mosta

The priest’s and the consecrated person’s main gift to their people is their availability, presence and the ability to spend time with them. Thus, they will also be involved in people’s lives as they experience challenges and difficulties. This course focuses on the relationship between the priest and laity; how this relationship may be developed in a healthy way and ultimately, how the priest can emotionally support the laity safely. Through self-awareness and self-reflection, the priest becomes more conscious of how he works, which is important for him to provide the best possible service to the community.

Learning Outcomes:

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

Understand the working context with which the relationship between the priest and the people develops.
Value the experience of being with other people.
Comprehend the ambiguity surrounding priesthood and counselling.
Appreciate the challenge of maintaining boundaries.
Be aware of ethical issues.
Recognise the importance of self-care.

The course is intended for priests who give emotional support in their pastoral ministry.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The question of who the priest is poses critical concerns when discussing personal and professional identity. We will investigate whether there is a link between the priest’s personal identity and his priestly identity and analyse the role of the priest in modern culture. The priest oversees a vast range of responsibilities, realities, and ministries, and is present with many people from various backgrounds. Being present with the people is an essential part of the priest’s pastoral ministry, and without specific talents, the priest may feel fatigued, unsatisfied, and possibly incapable of meeting people’s needs. We will discuss what perceptions people have of priests and whether such perceptions are consistent with their roles.

Trustworthiness is critical for spiritual leaders and the reputation of a Church. Priests must inspire loyalty and keep their promises, avoid exploiting people’s vulnerabilities, model character, and keep sensitive information private. To maintain trust and trustworthiness, confidentiality is required. Priests should follow a set of guidelines designed to help people improve their decision-making skills and distinguish between right and wrong when the line is blurred. Many priests struggle with their role as a counsellor due to a lack of therapeutic skills and theoretical perspectives. We will gain a better understanding of how Catholic priests deliver such sessions and what they consider beneficial or unsuccessful.

The priest must maintain appropriate boundaries with the laity to protect the relationship. This includes maintaining a psychological distance and being aware of the conventions, regulations, or codes that characterise an individual’s personal space or environment. Healthy boundaries provide individuals with a nurturing and safe physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual environment. During the session, we will discover more about three types of limits: time boundaries, space boundaries, and emotional boundaries. We will be more aware that setting boundaries is critical to self-care. Another aspect of self-care is leisure. It is possible to believe that leisure is an escape from responsibility, but leisure should pervade all aspects of a priest’s life and service.

The course is delivered in 3 sessions (6 contact hours) over 3 weeks. The 2 hour weekly sessions are held on Mondays between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre. Free parking facilities are available.

Monday at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Date	Lecture Title
13th November	Recognise how the priest’s role in today’s setting fulfils his identity while valuing the experience of being with other people.
20th November	Recognise ethical issues while understanding the ambiguity of priesthood and counselling
27th November	Recognise the value of self-care as well as the difficulty of maintaining boundaries.

Certification: 

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend all contact hours;
and successfully complete the course`s assessment (case study analysis)

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.

Course in Spiritual Direction for Priests

06/11/2023 Rivotorto Retreat House, Birkirkara

This course gives a brief outline of the development of Spiritual Direction throughout Church History.

It aims to give a better understanding of the movements of the Spirit and to delve deeper into the process of discernment of the will of God in day-to-day decisions. This course helps in building a better personal relationship with God within different contexts which the director and/or directee may encounter in daily life. Apart from the theoretical part, this course gives practical skills to understand better the way the Spirit of God leads the person.

At the end of the course the priest will be able to make a clear distinction between spiritual direction and other roles within the ministry itself; consolidate where necessary such practices and give insights for better accompaniment in the priests’ ministry as Spiritual Directors.

It is a course that the director will benefit from both on a personal level and in his ministry when accompanying the directee.

This course is intended for priests who accompany persons in Spiritual Direction.

Target Audience Age: 18+

6th November 2023

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Welcoming introduction and Sharing of Experiences	Rev. Ronnie Zammit
Session 2: The difference between Pastoral Mentoring, Confession, and Spiritual Direction	Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 3: Experiences	Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 4: Spiritual Direction from the Sources of Tradition: the needs which arose throughout the years and the dynamics addressed in relation to spiritual direction	Mr Natalino Camilleri

7th November 2023

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Different prayer methods	Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana
Session 2: Spiritual movements: the different experiences which the human being passes through	Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana

8th November 2023

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Welcoming introduction and sharing of experiences	Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 2: Living our faith throughout the different stages of life: the call to mature discipleship	Rev. Dr Jimmy Bonnici
Session 3: The Dynamics and Interior struggle of our interior life	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ

20th November 2023

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Spiritual discernment: the spiritual movements	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 2: Rules of Discernment of Spirits – First Week	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 3: The Importance of Desires	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 4:Rules of discernment of Spirits – Second Week	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ

21st November 2023

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Discerning in the process of spiritual direction: discerning God’s will in daily life or in taking important decisions	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 2: Some Ignatian Exercises that Help in making choices	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 3: Three times for doing an election	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ
Session 4:Suggestions by St Ignatius on dealing with the discerning person	Rev. Christopher Vella SJ

15th January 2024

Session Title	Speaker
Listening and Communication skills (psychological & spiritual level in the director & directee)	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ & Ms Jenny Zammit

16th January 2024

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: A Short and Quick History of Spiritual Direction	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: What is Spiritual Direction?	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Myself as a Spiritual Director	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Bill`s Case	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ

5th February 2024

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Director Directee Relationship	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: The Spiritual Interview	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Blockages in Prayer	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Psychological Dynamics in Spiritual Direction	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ

6th February 2024

Session Title	Speaker
Session 1: Feelings in Interpersonal Relationships PC	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 2: God Talk	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 3: Dealing with Guilt	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ
Session 4: Accompanying the Sick and the Dying	Rev. Alfred Micallef SJ

Certification:

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance is received if one attends all the contact hours of this course.

Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend all the contact hours
and successfully complete an assignment/journal/presentation or case study analysis.

Assessment: Written assignment at the end of the course.

Final Award: Accompaniment in Spiritual Direction for Priests

PFI Level: Level 5

Duration: 4 months part-time (54 hours)

Introduction to the Gospel of John

06/11/2023 Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre Mosta

During this course, students will have the opportunity to delve into the Christology of the Fourth Gospel and the different related themes which emerge from the narrative when compared to the Synoptic Gospels. It will present the purpose, date, destination, and historical context in which this gospel was written and how it was used throughout the history of Church’s Dogma.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 14 % discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

This course is for all who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Gospel of John.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The short course is delivered over three 2-hour lectures.

Session	Themes
Session 1	– The author of the Fourth Gospel. – Differences between the Synoptic Gospels and the Fourth Gospel.
Session 2	– Nicodemus (Jn 3) – The Samaritan Woman (Jn 4)
Session 3	– The man born blind (Jn 9) – Lazarus (Jn 11)

The course is delivered over 6 contact hours spread over three 2-hour sessions.

Lectures are held on Monday 6th, 13th and 20th of November 2023 between 18:00 – 20:00.

Certification: 

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend all 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 all of the course`s contact hours;
pass the short multiple-choice online exam;
and successfully complete a written assignment;

AFF Level: Level 6

Total ECTS: 1 Credit

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Qualifications: Basic knowledge of the Gospels/Undergraduate students.

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.

Introduction to Youth Ministry

25/10/2023

This course will serve as an introduction and foundation for youth ministry. Youth ministers, youth leaders and animators will reflect on who they are, their journey of faith and the call of being a youth minister/youth leader/animator in today’s society. This will involve a discussion on ‘tools’ that believers should have to live faith.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 44% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

Serving youth ministers/youth leaders/animators
Youth aspiring to become youth ministers/youth leaders/animators

Target Audience Age: 16+

Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Date	Session Title
Session 1	Reaching to our Roots
Session 2	Catholic Youth Leaders
Session 3	Living out our Faith 1
Session 4	Living out our Faith 2
Session 5	Deepening of Certain Ministry Aspects

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to students who have attended at least 80% of contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to students who have attended at least 80% of contact hours for this course and successfully complete and pass written assessment.

Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate, including knowing how to access the internet and use office suite software.

Introduction to Parish Ministry

25/10/2023

“If the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be ‘the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”
Pope Francis.

Throughout this course, participants will explore the parish as a significant symbol of God’s presence in our community. The course will start by delving into the contemporary reality of today’s parish. Participants will then proceed to learn about the different roles within the Church; identifying the decision-making bodies of the Church and different ministries in a parish, highlighting the importance of everyone’s participation. This will include a discussion on effective teamwork and service to others. Attendees will then be introduced to the principles of communal discernment, examining its definition, tools, and practical applications. The course will conclude by presenting a model of communal discernment, elucidating the different roles within it, and outlining the composition of discerning groups.

Specifically tailored for those actively involved in parish ministry, the course seeks to inspire a deeper commitment to the renewal of parishes, aligning them as vibrant evangelizing entities in today’s society, guided by recent teachings on parish life.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 57% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi.

Pastoral Workers, especially those involved in decision-making bodies.
Individuals interested in the subject

Target Audience Age: 19+

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Dates	Session
15th April 2024	Today’s Parish – What is a Parish?
22nd April 2024	The different roles in the Church & Ministries in a Parish
29th April 2024	Executive and decision-making bodies in a Parish
6th May 2024	What is communal discernment? What are the tools used?
13th May 2024	A discerning method

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum 80% of all
contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation
The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum 80% of all
contact hours for this course and passing from short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when:

attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours
passing short multiple-choice online exams and written assessment

Language: Applicants are required to have an understanding of Maltese and be fluent in English.
Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate especially, in office suites.