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Basic Media Literacy Education

19/06/2024

This course offers an in-depth exploration of Media Literacy Education (MLE) within the context of theology and pastoral ministries. It investigates the significant impact of the digital and virtual worlds on individuals and communities, underscoring how these influences continuously shape our identities and perspectives.

Adopting a critical approach, the course examines the benefits and challenges presented by various media forms. It emphasizes the need for discernment and critical thinking to effectively navigate today’s complex media landscape. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of media literacy education and its vital role in modern society.

This course is designed for pastoral workers who contribute to the digital presence of their parish and/or organization, as well as individuals who seek to deepen their understanding of Media Literacy Education.

Target Audience Age: 19+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

The Digital and Virtual Worlds That Shape Us: A Source of Continuous Influence

Benefits and Challenges of Media

What is Media Literacy Education?

The Three Main Pillars of the M.L.E.: Content, Audience and Technical Languages

Basic Principles of M.L.E.

The need of M.L.E. in Theology and Pastoral Ministries in the Church

Pastoral Application of the M.L.E. Pillars

Pastoral Application of the M.L.E. Principles

Understanding and Addressing an Audience

How to Address the Different Aspects of a Person

The Importance of the Pedagogical Narrative: A Guide to Using Digital Technologies as Means to Bridge Catechesis and the Human Experience

The Importance of the Creative Message

Education for Critical Thinking: Inseparable Elements of A Holistic Education

Participants will be equipped with a toolkit to explore and utilize creative tools for preparing materials tailored to pastoral work, enhancing their ability to engage effectively in their ministries.

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must view all videos and pass from all short multiple-choice exams.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Prayer

23/05/2024

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with a foundational understanding of the place of prayer in the Catholic tradition. Rather than offering a manual or handbook on how to pray, this course will serve as a springboard for exploring prayer within Christianity. Participants will be challenged to consider what it means to see themselves as persons of prayer, deepening their spiritual practice and enriching their faith experience.

  • Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
  • Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

This course will be offered from October 2024

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  • What is Prayer?
  • The Universal Call to Prayer
  • Prayer in the Old Testament: Models, Advice and Material
  • Prayer in the New Testament: Models, Advice and Material
  • Prayer Times and Environments
  • Praying together and for others
  • The Mass: The Ultimate Prayer
  • Aids to Prayer
  • Leading a Life of Prayer
  • Important Aspects of Prayer

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Participation

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

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Parish Ministry

25/10/2023
Introduction to Parish Ministry

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

“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.

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

Target Audience Age: 19+

TBA

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.

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023
Introduction to Diakonia

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This online course will explore the roots of Diakonia in Sacred Scripture and early Christian communities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between Diakonia, faith, and prayer while delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Additionally, participants will examine the evolution of Diakonia in Malta and learn about available services.

This course is intended for:

  • Individuals who are already involved in Diakonia and wish to deepen their involvement in it.
  • Individuals who are interested in becoming involved in Diakonia.
  • Individuals who are interested in offering Diakonia-related services through a Church entity that they form part of.

N.B. completing this course does not entitle the student to automatically become a pastoral operator engaged in Djakonija within any specific parish. Such appointments are made at the discretion of the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the respective Parish/community.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  1. Biblical meaning of the word Diakonia and the word in the Old Testament;
  2. Djakonija in the New Testament with special reference to Acts;
  3. Djakonija in the first communities – the link between kerygma, koinonia, diakonia and liturgia;
  4. Personal prayer life leads me to Diakonia;
  5. The link between faith and life is one of the cornerstones of Christian theology and can be described in a variety of ways. For St Paul, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”;
  6. Evangelisation, djakonija and the digital age;
  7. Malta’s reality has changed – what are today’s sociological ‘pains’?;
  8. The Preferential Option for the Poor & the four pillars of Catholic social teaching; human dignity common good, subsidiarity and solidarity;
  9. How the Church in Malta was a pioneer in the Diakonia sector;
  10. What Diakonia services are being offered today? What are the different types of professionals working in this field?

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform and passing short multiple-choice examinations.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform, passing a short multiple-choice examination, and passing from a written assignment.

Language: A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital: Ability to access the internet and use an office suite is required.