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Foundation Course in Ignatian Spirituality

11/03/2024   Mount Saint Joseph, Mosta

As a Christian, you may be seeking something deeper to enhance your faith and spiritual growth. The Pastoral Formation Institute, in collaboration with the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality, we are offering a two-year Foundation Course in Ignatian Spirituality from September 2024 to June 2026.

This course aims to:

  • Help participants deepen their understanding of Christian spirituality, particularly that in the Ignatian tradition.
  • Provide a solid background in Spirituality, Theology, and Scriptural knowledge to enrich pastoral activities at all levels.
  • Foster a deeper personal relationship with the Lord.
  • For those seeking a deeper understanding of Christian spirituality, particularly within the Ignatian tradition.
  • For those desiring a solid foundation in spirituality, theology, and scriptural knowledge.
  • For those aiming to cultivate a personal relationship with the Lord.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

First Year

DatesSession
11th – 15th September 2024Silent Retreat
19th September – 31st October 2024Nature and History of Spirituality
7th November – 19th December 2024Basic notions of Sacred Scripture
9th January – 20th February 2025Prayer Methods
22nd-23rd February 2025Communication and group skills
27th February – 10th April 2025Autobiography of St. Ignatius and writing a spiritual autobiography
24th April – 12th June 2025Principles of Ignatian Spirituality
3rd – 4th MayFaith and Culture
21st – 22nd JuneSpirituality and Integral Ecology

Second Year

DatesSession
13th – 14th September 2025Self-Awareness
18th September – 30th October 2025Introduction to Moral Theology
6th November – 18th December 2025Psychological Dynamics in Spirituality
8th January – 19th February 2026Introduction to Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology
28th February – 1st March 2026Introduction to Pastoral Theology
26th February – 23rd April 2026Introduction to Discernment
2nd – 3rd May 2026Communal Discernment
30th April – 4th June 2026Spirituality and Justice
12th – 14th June 2026End of course retreat

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon attending at least 80% of all contact hours for each module in the course

2. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for each module and successfully completing all course assessments

Applicants are expected to:

  • possess a good knowledge of the English language;
  • be capable of writing assignments in English;
  • be able to use a computer to access material digitally and make online submissions;
  • attend at least 80% of lectures of each module;
  • attend an initial 5-day silent retreat in full.

Course Registration

You are kindly asked to send an email to [email protected]
In your email please include a detailed CV.

Application Closing date: 31st May, 2024

Please Note: After the application period, applicants will be contacted to attend an interview. Acceptance to the course is dependent on the outcome of the interview.

Name(Required)
Max. file size: 4 MB.

Introduction to Parish Ministry

25/10/2023
Introduction to Parish Ministry

“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

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

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023
Introduction to Diakonia

This 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 whilst delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Participants will also examine the evolution of Diakonia in Malta and learn about available services.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 38% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

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 following topics will be explored:

  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 two exit certificate options: 

Certificate of Participation

will be awarded to students that pass from short multiple-choice exam on each topic.

Certificate of Achievement

will be awarded to students that pass from short multiple-choice exam on each topic and pass from written assessment.

Qualifications

The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.

Language Competence

A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital Competence

Ability to access the internet and use a word processor is required.

Every application will be considered on its individual merits and evaluated on the basis of academic potential.

Introduction to Catechetical Ministry for Children

21/10/2023
catechist

This course is intended to form and support catechists who wish to become better acquainted with the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith, in view of their service to the Christian community. By the end of this course, the learner will become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry and equipped with essential practical skills needed in the service of catechetical ministry.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 20%  discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

Catechists who teach children and adolescents.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course is made up of an asynchronous module and two blended modules.

Module TitleModeCredits
Module 1 – Faith Foundations for Ministry incl. seminarsAsynchronous1 credit
Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for ChildrenBlended3 credits
Module 3 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable AdultsBlended1 ECTS
Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

This module provides a basic introduction in Christian theology. Participants will explore 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 on The Sources of Theology and gain a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will enable participants to construct a holistic vision of catechetical ministry, one which responds to contemporary needs, through the exploration of various areas of knowledge and skills necessary for the formation of the catechetical minister of which include:

  • Theoretical and practical aspects of basic catechetical principles
  • Catechetical methodology including lesson planning
  • Exploration of relative social sciences
  • The needs of children with different social and or psychological needs

By the end of the module, the learner will:

  • become aware of the call as a catechist and why this role is valuable within the Church; 
  • develop a thorough and holistic view of the different aspects which build up the core identity of the catechetical minister in the Church;
  • become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry and develop the ability to apply them in ministry
  • become equipped with essential practical skills needed for catechetical ministry
Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module will explore key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

By the end of the module, students will:

  1. be familiar with safeguarding policies
  2. know principles underlying safeguarding
  3. know the different types of abuse together signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. know how to deal with disclosure of abuse
  5. know how to practice professional boundaries and identify poor practice
  6. know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

The module is made up of 7 recorded sessions accessible through institute’s Moodle.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module is made up of 3 in-person sessions and 9 recorded sessions, accessible through institute’s Moodle.

Calendar of In-Person Seminars

Saturdays between 9:30am – 12:00pm

DatesSeminar Titles
21st October 2023My Mission and Vocation as a Catechist
25th November 2023Understanding Those Whom We Accompany
20th January 2024The Digital Era & Catechesis: Practical Aspects
16th March 2024The Sacred Scriptures
20th April 2024The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church
Module 3 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module is delivered over one in-person session and one recorded session, accessible through institute’s Moodle. In-person session will be held on Saturday 17th February 2024 between 9:30am and 12:30pm.

Students will also be given additional reading material they can read in their own time.

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

This course has two exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Participation 
  • attend all in-person seminars;
  • pass short multiple-choice online exams (per module); 

2. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students need to: 

  • attend all in-person seminars;
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exams (per module); 
  • and successfully complete a written assignment (per module);

Final Awards: Introduction to Catechetical Ministry & Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

Teaching Institution/s: Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with Lifelong Catechesis, and Safeguarding Commission

Digital competences:

Applicants are required to have basic computer literacy, mainly how to access and use an internet browser and use a word processor

Language competences:

The student is required to have at least primary school level of Maltese and English.

Exemptions

Applicants who have an MQF/EQF level 4 (or higher) in Theology or Religious Studies, or have a General Education Award in Evangelisation, will be exempted from Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.

Applicants who have an Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults are exempt from Module 3 -Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.