Short Course – 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.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

17/02/2024

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.

This short course will assist employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults or handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The intended learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
understand the legal obligations with child abuse
identify signs and symptoms of abuse
know the disclosures of abuse
identify the principles of safeguarding
practice professional boundaries
know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
learn a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
be able to recognise signs of abuse
identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 33% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

Employees who work with children and vulnerable adults
Employees who handle children and vulnerable adults` data
Volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults
Volunteers who handle children and vulnerable adults` data.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
SGC4001	Blended Learning	1 ECTS

The course is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:

3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
2 hours – recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal (Blended Learning)

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

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

You may find all the dates in the Calendar section below.

Each course is delivered over two sessions; (a) 3-hour, in-person session and (b) 2 hours of recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal.

February 2024

Lecturing Period

Mode of Delivery	Date & Time	Venue
In-person	17^th February 2024	Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
Recorded Material	17^th – 26^th February 2024	Recorded Videos on the VLE platform

Assessment Period:

Assessment	Available From	Due by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam	26^th February 2024	Monday 4^th March 2024
Reflective Journal	26^th February 2024	Monday 26^th March 2024

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be rewarded to students who have:

attended in-person session
watched all the recorded material
and did not submit any course assessments.

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation* will be rewarded to students who meet the attendance criteria and successfully conclude the course multiple choice test. (please check the calendar tab above for exam dates)

Certificate of Achievement

A Certificate of Achievement* is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;

meet the attendance criteria
sit and pass the short multiple-choice online exam (mentioned in point 2),
and also submit a written assessment

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Achievement or a Certificate of Participation, a student must; attend all the contact hours and successfully conclude the assessment/s}.

EQF/MQF Level: Level 4

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute

Award 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.

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.

Introduction to Mariology

15/01/2024 Ta` Mlit, Pastoral Centre, Mosta

This course aims to provide theological and spiritual knowledge about the Blessed Virgin Mary and the development of Mariology in the Church. The sessions will start by analysing the portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Holy Scriptures and Marian devotion in the early Church. The course will explore the development of the Marian dogmas and the devotion to Mary in the Eastern traditions. The course will also treat the way Mary as Mother of the Church is presented in Vatican Council II and the subsequent Mariological documents by the Popes in the last fifty years. The sessions will proceed to focus on the beautiful rendering of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Art and the manifold references to the Mother of God in Maltese poetry. In conclusion, the course will reflect on Mary as one of the most important figures in Christianity as a role model for all women.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 15% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

All who wish to enrich their theological and spiritual knowledge about the Blessed Virgin Mary and the development of Mariology in the Church.

Target Audience`s Age: 18+

Session Format

This course will be delivered over 15 lectures, each lecture covering a different aspect of Mariology. The themes which will be covered are:

The portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Old Testament
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Gospel of John
The Blessed Virgin Mary and the early Church Fathers
The four Marian dogmas
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Oriental traditions (Catholics and Orthodox)
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Second Vatican Council
The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Papal Magisterium of the last sixty years
Marian Spirituality
Portrayals of the Virgin Mary in Films
Marian Art in foreign countries
Marian Art in Malta
The Blessed Virgin Mary in Maltese poetry
The Blessed Virgin Mary and woman in the Church

Please note that these themes will not necessarily be delivered in this particular order.

Session Format

Lectures will be on Mondays between 18:00 and 20:00 starting from 15th January 2024

Month	Days
January	15th, 22nd & 29th
February	5th, 19th & 26th
March	4th, 11th & 18th
April	8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
May	6th & 13th

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

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

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation will be rewarded to students who meet the attendance criteria* and successfully conclude the course multiple-choice tests.

Certificate of Achievement

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;

meet the attendance criteria*
sit and pass the short multiple-choice tests (mentioned in point 2),
and also submit a written assessment.

Final Award: Certificate in Introduction to Mariology

Teaching & Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

Duration: Five months part-time course

_{_{* Attendance Criteria: Students must attend at least 80% of all the course`s contact hours.}}

Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to evaluate 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.

An Introduction to the Theology of the Holy Spirit

10/01/2024 Ta` Mlit, Pastoral Centre, Mosta

The course aims to provide theological knowledge regarding the Catholic belief in the Holy Spirit as it developed throughout the centuries and lived in various aspects of ecclesial life. The course starts by analysing scripture references to the Holy Spirit and explores the development of the theology of the Holy Spirit from the Church Fathers to contemporary theology. The course also illustrates the role of the Holy Spirit in liturgy, ecclesial life and communal discernment, and concludes by analysing how the Holy Spirit is expressed in art.

People who wish to enrich their spirituality by learning more about the third person of the Holy Trinity.

Target Audience`s Age: 18+

This course delves into four main areas:

The Holy Spirit in Scriptures
Patristic and Dogmatic Theology of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit in Liturgy
Manifestation of the Holy Spirit

Session Format

Lectures will be on Wednesdays between 18:00 and 20:00 starting from 10th January 2024

Month	Days
January	10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st
February	7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
March	6th, 13th & 20th
April	10th, 17th & 24th
May	8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
June	5th

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

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

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation will be rewarded to students who meet the attendance criteria* and successfully conclude the course multiple-choice tests.

Certificate of Achievement

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;

meet the attendance criteria*
sit and pass the short multiple-choice tests (mentioned in point 2),
and also submit a written assessment of at least 1000-1500 words.

Final Award: Certificate in An Introduction to the Theology of the Holy Spirit

Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

Duration: Four months part-time course

_{_{* Attendance Criteria: Students must attend at least 80% of all the course`s contact hours.}}

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.

Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces

21/11/2023 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 Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Students who successfully complete this course may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

This course is designed to:

Equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills required to create and run a prayer space in a given setting.
Offer participants the opportunity to grow in their connectedness with their own self, with others, with the world, and with God through the prayer spaces experience.
Enable participants to accompany others and explore their faith, spirituality, and life’s essential questions in a safe, creative, and interactive way.
Lead participants to understand better the shift from living merely to functioning, fulfilling demands and expectations to a more meaningful life.
Invite the participants to become aware that relationships are strengthened when one takes the time to appreciate and reflect upon them.

A prayer space can be set in various places. The setting can be a school, a youth centre, a parish hall, the workplace, an open-plan area, or an outdoor place.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Define what a prayer space is;
Identify different age groups of children and young people attending the prayer space;
Communicate in different ways with children, young people, or adults according to their age, culture, and language during a prayer space;
Identify suitable interested members of the staff/personnel who are willing to form a team to prepare and animate prayer spaces in their respective schools;
Draw up a plan for planning, preparing, setting up, and running prayer spaces;
Report what educators and students said after they have experienced prayer spaces for themselves;
Evaluate what went well, identify difficulties and challenges in setting a prayer space;
Understand that at the most basic level, prayer spaces give students a way to reflect and develop reflective thinking skills in terms of the four key relationships: the self, others, the world, and God;
Make a connection between prayer spaces and other subjects

Reflect personally on a prayer space;
Plan a prayer space;
Prepare for the setting of prayer spaces;
Create simple and clear instruction cards, and prepare the resources related to the prayer space;
Set up the physical prayer space in any given space and/or venue.
Demonstrate a welcoming attitude to all children and young people of all faith and none who will be experiencing a prayer space;
Lead the children and young people to the safe, hands-on, creative prayer space and, when necessary, animate the prayer spaces;
Show a sense of accompaniment and being there for the person;
Operate with other members of staff who wish to give a helping hand before, during, and after the setting of a prayer space activity;
Recruit and train a prayer space team;
Run a Prayer Space;
Do a follow-up of a prayer spaces session.

This course is targeted at all those who wish to help children, young people, and adults grow in their prayer life, namely:

Educators,
Catechists,
Youth workers,
Youth leaders,
Youth ministers,
Religious counsellors,
Chaplains and lay chaplains,
Priests and religious.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
SPR5002	In-Person (Face-to-Face Learning)	2 ECTS

Rev. Paul Chetcuti SJ

The lecturer will introduce the concepts of prayer, spirituality, and religion. Participants will become aware of the superficial vs meaning-making, being, and the development of symbolic language.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture will follow about the values of prayer spaces, and participants will learn that prayer spaces are spiritual, reflective, inclusive, professional, and Christian.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. During the lecture about the purpose and theology of prayer spaces, participants will learn that prayer spaces help one reflect and develop reflective thinking skills; and see this in terms of four key relationships: the self, other people, the World, the sacred, and divine. They will also learn that God made everyone spiritual; God has a mission, welcomes, hears, cares, speaks, and acts.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about preparing for the setting of prayer spaces will follow. Participants will learn how to get started with prayer spaces.

Ms Silvana Cardona:

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about creating prayer activities will follow. Participants will learn how to choose and create prayer activities directed to the self, others, the World, and God and create activities that are a mix of learning styles; writing, listening, looking, reading, and doing.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer space stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about how to recruit and train an excellent prayer space team will follow, and participants will learn to recruit people who are prayerful, inclusive, reflective, professional, and safe. Participants will also learn how to set a good prayer space and how it can be welcoming to anyone who wishes to visit. They learn how to gather feedback and write a report as a follow-up.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

The course is delivered over 18 contact hours spread over six 3-hour sessions.

Lectures will be held from 17:00 – 20:00

	Date	Session Title
Tuesday	21.11,2023	Introduction to Prayer
Thursday	23.11.2023	The Values of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday	28.11.2023	The Purpose of Prayer Spaces and Prayer Spaces Theology
Thursday	30.11.2023	Preparing for the setting of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday	05.12.2023	Creating Prayer Activities
Thursday	07.12.2023	Recruiting and training a prayer space team, running a Prayer Space and follow up

Certification: 

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend at least 80% 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 at least 80% of the course`s contact hours;
pass the short multiple-choice online exam (40% of global assessment);
and successfully complete an assignment of 500 – 800 words about the steps needed to plan, prepare, set up, and evaluate an actual prayer space, including photos or short videos (up to 3 mins).

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

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.

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

Language: Primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Knows how to access the internet and use a word processor.

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.

Basic Theology for Curia Staff

31/10/2023 Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana

This course will assist participants in developing a basic understanding of the main topics of Theology:

Faith and the Church
Holy Scriptures
Catholic Social Teaching
The Catholic Liturgy
History of the Church and the Dogmatic Theology
Structure of the Church

All curia staff.

The course is delivered over six sessions. Each session is 1-hour long.

Thursdays from 10:30 am – 11:30am

Dates	Session Title	Lecturer
22nd February 2024	What is faith? What is the Church?	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
21st March 2024	Holy Scriptures	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef OFM
25th April 2024	Catholic Social Teaching	Rev. Dr Carlo Calleja
23rd May 2024	History of the Church and Dogmatic Theology	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
20th June 2024	Liturgy	Rev. Dr Jesmond Manicaro
25th July 2024	Structures of the Church	Mgr Dr Joseph Galea Curmi

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend all contact hours and pass from short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend all contact hours, pass from short multiple-choice online exam and written assessment.

Teaching and Awarding Institutions: Pastoral Formation Institute