One-Year Course – Pastoral Formation Institute

Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

16/12/2023

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 and Chaplaincy in Schools are considered bridges between faiths and cultures in the contemporary context. Those involved in this mission must be well prepared to effectively share the joy of the Gospel and its values within schools in today’s pluralistic society. This course provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to enhance effective Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools. It assists participants in developing a range of essential skills for this ministry, including reflective, analytical, critical, and synthetic thinking, as well as leadership, collaboration, interpersonal communication, listening, planning, and implementation.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

This course is open to all individuals involved in the educational sector or with an expressed interest in working 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 and Chaplaincy in schools and will be prepared for this mission. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and learn how Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy can facilitate dialogue between faiths and cultures in our contemporary pluralistic society. 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 participants the opportunity to examine the richness and 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 those involved in this ministry to nurture in their own lives and within the entire school community the truth that:

“The 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 become more familiar with:

The meaning of spirituality
The spiritual development of the young (4-10 yrs.), youth (11-16 yrs.), and adults (18+), keeping in mind contemporary cultures.
How to plan and conduct various spiritual encounters and activities with the young (4-10 yrs.), youth (11-16 yrs.), 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 for designing and enriching liturgical and religious celebrations/activities in schools by 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 – 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 will 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.

The course will take place once a week on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 5:30pm.

Seminar

Date	Time	Venue
5th October 2024	TBA	TBA

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

Date	Time	Venue
9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th October 2024	15:30 – 17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
6th, 13th and 20th November 2024	15:30 – 17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

THM6019: Nurturing Spirituality Through Pastoral Car /Chaplaincy in Schools

Date	Time	Venue
4th, 11th and 18th December 2024	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th January 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

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

Date	Time	Venue
12th, 19th and 26th February 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
5th, 12th and 26th March 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
2nd April 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

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

Date	Time	Venue
30th April 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
4th and 11th June 2025	15:30-17:30	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

Spiritual Retreat

Date	Time	Venue
21st June 2025	TBA	TBA

This course has one exit certificate option:

Certificate of Achievement

To receive a Certificate of Achievement, the student must:

Attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.
Complete and pass assessments for all modules.

This course contributes towards the Accelerated Progression Scheme for educators as per the Sectoral Agreement signed in 2017.

Full qualification at MQF Level 6 or higher
Proficiency 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

Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be refunded if deemed ineligible 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, see Identity Malta’s VISA requirements for third-country nationals.

Introduction to Catechetical Ministry for Children

21/10/2023

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 blended course is designed to form and support catechists who seek to deepen their understanding of the fundamental tenets of the Catholic Faith in preparation for their service towards their parish. By the end of the course, participants will be familiar with the core theological concepts that underpin catechetical ministry and will be equipped with essential practical skills for effective service in this ministry.

Catechists who teach children and adolescents.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

This module provides a basic introduction to Christian theology. Participants will explore fundamental scriptural, dogmatic, ecclesiological, and ethical theological concepts that guide the evangelising mission of the Church. By the end of the module, learners will be familiar with the sources of theology and will gain a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

This module will be offered entirely online, allowing you to complete it at your own pace and on your own schedule, starting from July 17, 2024.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will enable participants to construct a holistic vision of catechetical ministry, one that responds to contemporary needs, through the exploration of various areas of knowledge and skills essential for the formation of catechetical ministers. These areas include the theoretical and practical aspects of basic catechetical principles, catechetical methodology including lesson planning, exploration of relevant social sciences, and addressing the needs of children with diverse social and/or psychological needs.

This module will be offered entirely online, allowing you to complete it at your own pace and on your own schedule, starting from July 17, 2024.

Module 3 – Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will be offered in-person from February 2025.

Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module delves into the essential principles of safeguarding, focusing on creating safe environments for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. By the module’s conclusion, students will be well-versed in safeguarding policies, understand the core principles underlying safeguarding, and recognize various types of abuse along with their signs and symptoms. They will also learn how to handle disclosures of abuse, maintain professional boundaries, identify poor practices, and comprehend their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019).

This module will be offered in-person from February 2025.

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Participation

attend all in-person seminars;
pass short multiple-choice online exams, where applicable

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, where applicable
and successfully complete a written assignment, where applicable

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.