Upcoming Courses – Pastoral Formation Institute

The Sacrament of Baptism

25/10/2023

This course is designed for parents deciding to baptise their child. Participants will explore the theology of baptism to understand its significance and purpose. Subsequently, they will obtain a comprehensive understanding of the baptismal rite. Lastly, participants will explore practical ways on how to integrate and live the baptismal promises within their family.

This course will be available in the beginning of March 2024

New parents

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered online through a series of recorded videos accessible on our VLE platform.

This course will be available in the beginning of March 2024

Session	Theme
Session 1	The Theology of Baptism – What is Baptism?
Session 2	The Rite of Baptism
Session 3	Living out the promises of Baptism

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when watching all recorded lectures available on VLE platform.

Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when:

when watching all recorded lectures available on VLE platform.
pass from short multiple-choice online exam

Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Language: Applicants must be fluent in Maltese and have basic proficiency in English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate, especially on how to access the internet and use office suites.

The Liturgical Animation

25/10/2023

This course is aimed for those involved in liturgical animation or those interested in this ministry so that they enrich their knowledge and practice in this field. They will appreciate more what animation is and acquire the necessary skills required for this ministry. Participants will reflect on the aspects of the role of a liturgical animator, become aware of the musical and singing abilities required, learn about the seasons of the liturgical year and the respective repertoire, amongst other topics. The course will concentrate on the animation of Eucharist celebration and other moments of prayer like the liturgy of the hours and Eucharistic adoration.

Dates will be announced soon.

The Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope

25/10/2023

As the Church prepares for the Ordinary Jubilee to be held in 2025 – Pilgrims in Hope, the attendee will get to know better the meaning of the words: jubilee, hope and pilgrimage starting from their biblical foundations. We will also delve into some of the Popes’ teaching on hope. Then we will have a session applying the Jubilee for us today and how it relates to the Church’s mission of Evangelisation.

Dates will be announced soon.

The Organ in the Liturgy

25/10/2023

This course is aimed for those who already play the organ at our churches or those interested to start in this ministry so that they strengthen their knowledge on the organist’s mission. One or two sessions are to be lectured in different churches so that the participants will have the opportunity to train on organs of different styles, models and epoch. The attendees will learn on the organ’s central place in the liturgy, its structure and maintenance, the art of registrations and the art of improvisation in the liturgy.

Dates will be announced soon.

Award in Augustinian Spirituality for Educators

25/10/2023

Elements of Augustinian charism and identity will be proposed in a meaningful manner to the building up of today’s society, especially in education. Thus, by exploring critically various aspects, the participants will grasp a deeper knowledge and experience of Augustinian values.

The main objective of the course is to present in a brief way the charism and the spirituality of the Augustinian Order through values and practical experience from education.

Dates will be announced soon.

Award in Educators as helping Professionals: Fostering reflective and helping skills

25/10/2023

This course will assist educators in improving their professional skills, increasing self-awareness as human beings and as professionals, and preserving relationships with students and colleagues while discovering new methods of self-care. Participants will work on strategies to rediscover new tactics to deal with their emotions and to hold the emotions of their students through lectures, discussions, and self-reflection. The teaching profession consists of ongoing, daily tasks during and after school hours, that can easily lead to teachers failing to reflect on their own profession.

Dates will be announced soon.

Liturgy

22/10/2021

The course offers an introduction to the history, theory and practice of Roman Catholic public worship. It does so with particular reference to:

Core principles of liturgical-theological study and the meaningful application of such principles;
Sacramental praxis of the Eucharist and sacraments of Initiation;
Sacramental praxis as it pertains to the liturgical sacraments of Healing and Service;
Liturgical praxis in the area of Bereavement and ancillary orders;
Liturgical structuring of space and time, with particular reference to historico-cultural developments, and the composition of contemporary liturgical observances and spaces;
Liturgical theology and practices of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter;
Marian devotions and popular devotions in the liturgical inheritance of the faithful.

The course is pastorally centred, to better serve learners who are seeking instruction in the theory, practice, and historical development of Christian liturgical heritage. The Western tradition and its expression in the Roman Catholic Liturgy will be explored with special emphasis. The course provides essential learning for individuals who are/ will be involved in Parish Liturgical Commissions and the Animation of the Liturgy, alongside lay persons with an interest in liturgical studies and popular devotions.

The course will support the ongoing formation of current and prospective Liturgical Leaders and Animators, Sacristans, Special Eucharistic Ministers, Musical Directors, and other liturgical collaborators within their own Catholic communities.

The course is also relevant to professionals (e.g. wedding directors, funeral directors, guides of religious tourism etc.) whose activities bring them in direct contact with liturgical places and observances.

Dates for this course are to be announced.

AFF Level: Level 5

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.