Short Course – Pastoral Formation Institute

The Art of Accompanying Couples Preparing for Marriage

05/05/2023

“The art of accompanying couples” provides the basic knowledge and skills needed by leading couples commencing their ministry with engaged couples preparing for a Christian marriage. This course introduces those new to this ministry to the art of creating the necessary group dynamics, accompanying individual couples, and keeping up to date with information and methodologies in this particular field. This course addresses these needs by modelling the learning outcomes in the methodology of the course itself.

The intended learning outcomes:

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

facilitate a group of young couples preparing for Christian marriage
accompany on a basic spiritual and emotional level young engaged couples preparing for a Christian marriage.

couples who are being introduced to the ministry of accompanying couples towards the sacrament of marriage;
other couples who are already accompanying couples towards marriage as a form of ongoing formation.  (commonly known as koppji mexxejja)

Target Audience Age: 19-65+

The course is delivered on Fridays between 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Throughout the course, the participants will be mentored by experienced Cana Couple Leaders (koppja mexxejja) Mr Chris and Ms Rosanne Triganza. Through useful tips and experiences, the couple can help participants with any queries they might have and to better understand their future role as a Cana Couple Leader (koppja mexxejja).

Date	Session	Lecturers
5th May	Session 1: Group Dynamics	Mr Joseph Pellicano
12th May	Session 2: Skills for Accompanying Individuals	Rev. Prof Paul Galea
19th May	Session 3: Growing Deeper in the Spiritual Dimension	Mr Nicholas & Ms Mary Baldacchino
26th May	Session 4: Exploring Available Resources Part 1: Family Planning and Sexuality	Ms Christine Galea
2nd June	Session 5: Exploring Available Resources Part 2: Issues with moral theology related to the family	Rev. Dr Carlo Calleja
8th & 9th June	Session 6: Assessment Presentation by the Participating Couples	Fr Charles Attard and Fr Aayrton Muscat

Leading Couple Shadowing Experience

After following the above course, the participants will have the opportunity to shadow an experienced couple during an actual Cana course. This will give the participants the chance to observe what being a couple leader (koppja mexxejja) entails.

This course is held on Fridays from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dates

Session	Dates	Times
Lectures	Fridays 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th May 2023	6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Presentation Session	Thursday 8th & Fridays 9th June 2023	6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Leading Couple Shadowing Experience

After following the above course, the participants will have the opportunity to shadow an experienced couple during an actual Cana course. Dates and locations for this arrangement will be discussed individually with the applicants.

Assessment: short presentation during the last course session.

Certification: Certificate of Achievement

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, a student must; attend all the contact hours, complete the leading couple shadowing experience and pass successfully the assessment/s}.

Teaching Institutions: Cana Movement together with Pastoral Formation Institute.

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

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 Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

22/04/2023 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 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

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

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.

April 2023

Lecturing Period

Mode of Delivery	Date & Time	Venue
In-person	Saturday 22^ndApril 2023 09:00 am – 12:00 pm	Catholic Institute, Floriana
Recorded Material	Available from Saturday 22^ndApril 2023	Recorded Videos on the VLE platform

Assessment Period:

Assessment	Available From	Due by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam	Saturday 22^ndApril 2023	Monday 2^nd May 2023
Reflective Journal	Saturday 22^ndApril 2023	Monday 22^nd May 2023

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 Reflective Journal of at least 500 words.

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.

Leadership in the context of Consecrated Life

19/04/2023 Archdiocese of Malta, Calcedonius Square, Floriana

20% Discount will be given when more than 5 applicants

from the same congregation apply for this course.

Course Description

The aim of the course is to train Consecrated persons in the realm of Leadership. This requires being endowed and flanked with the psychospiritual, group dynamics and various Leadership skills that are touchstones in the course. The course is enriched by a balance between lectures and workshops.

At the end of the course, the participants will have the experience of a half-day spiritual retreat in order to ponder further on the creative and important aspects of spirituality in the realm of modern leadership.

Applications close at noon on 12th April 2023

Intended For

Solemn /Perpetual Professed Consecrated persons.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Curriculum

Leadership Skills

Taking care of oneself and knowing oneself well is crucial to be an effective leader.  Hence the importance of Intrapersonal skills.  However, we do not live in a vacuum, so having the right interpersonal skills is a huge asset to be able to lead people in the best and most effective way possible.

Psycho-spiritual journey

Christian Leadership is precisely Christian, i.e., Christ-like. Our leadership is modelled on Christ, ‘who emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant’, (Phil 2:7).  His authority communicates integrity.  His leadership unfolds in unity with the other members of the Trinitarian Community.  He is mistakenly judged to be asleep during the storm, while in fact, He is the one most awake.  His awareness offers a serving authority that challenges, heals, encourages and exposes; away from the need to dominate, impose or dishearten.    

Our course will be taking us on an interactive psycho-spiritual journey to get a feel of what Christian leadership is all about.   It will touch on core human values, as foundation stones on which this leadership holds firm. 

Group dynamics

An essential part of leadership is understanding how groups work. Community living, pastoral ministry, and other pastoral environments often ask for a better knowledge of how teams work, how organisations develop over time, and how people interact with each other in a community or group. Group dynamics, structure, roles and development will thus be the main focus of this session.

Calendar

Wednesdays from 16:15 – 19:15

Dates	Session Title	Name of Lecturer
19^th April	Psycho-Spiritual Dimension in Consecrated Life especially from the aspect of Leadership – Part 1	Rev. Charlie Said, Sdb
26^th April	Group Dynamics in the context of leadership in consecrated life	Rev. Frankie Cini, Mssp
3^rd May	Leadership skills and Avoiding Burn Out – Part1	Guest Speakers
10^th May	Psycho-Spiritual Dimension in Consecrated Life especially from the aspect of Leadership – Part 2	Rev. Charlie Said, Sdb
17^th May	Leadership skills and Avoiding Burn Out – Part 2	Guest Speakers
24^th May	Psycho-Spiritual Dimension in Consecrated Life especially from the aspect of Leadership – Part 3	Rev. Charlie Said, Sdb
31^st May	Leadership skills and Avoiding Burn Out – Part 3	Guest Speakers
TBA	Retreat	Rev. Colin Sammut, OFM Conv.

Concluding with a half-day retreat on a Saturday.

The date and venue will be discussed and decided together with the participants

Assessment & Certificate

Certification: 

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend a minimum of 80% contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

- - attend a minimum of 80% contact hours
  - & successfully complete a written assignment.

Attendance: minimum 80% to receive a certificate

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Entry Requirements

Language: Proficient in Maltese.

Digital Competences: Computer literate (how to access the internet and use a word processor).

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Award in Developing Environmental Responsibility

19/04/2023 Parish Centre, Marsaskala

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Developing Environmental Responsibility is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as Higher Education Programme.

The course is designed to inspire and empower participants in taking a stand on sustainability, both in their personal lives and in their communities.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the basic Environmental, Social, and Development Challenges we are facing as a country and globally.
Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable choices in their day-to-day life.
Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable change at a household, institution, and community level.
Reflect critically on their roles and identities as active citizens, consumers, and change-makers in a complex and interconnected world.

The Developing Environmental Responsibility is offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with inteko, CEER (University of Malta), and the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Adults with an interest in

developing environmental responsibility
engage in ecological conversion
further positioning themselves in front of the interconnected double challenge of preserving the environment and eradicating poverty.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

This course is held on Wednesdays from 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
IFP/DER5	In-Person (Face-to-Face Learning)	2 ECTS

19th April 2023 – Knowing – the Social and Development challenges.

During this introductory lesson, we will discuss the Social and Development Challenge and how they impact us.

26th April 2023 – Knowing – the Environmental challenge.

Current local and global environmental challenges, and how they impact us.

3rd May 2023 – Caring for the Planet: Where do I stand?

Making sense of and taking a stand on the newly acquired knowledge and awareness of the first two sessions. We will examine our own lifestyles and patterns and identify areas that require a change.

10th May 2023 – Aligning my stated values with my daily behaviour.

During this lecture, participants will have an opportunity to engage critically in value clarification.

17th May 2023 – Ecological Conversion: A Spiritual Journey

Spirituality and Ecological Literacy. Living in an ethical and moral manner and meeting today`s challenges.

24th May 2023 – A shared vision and commitment

This session is a follow-up of the previous one but brings out the creation of community and the community mindset as a pre-requisite for overcoming today`s local and global challenges

31st May 2023 – How can we remain inspired?

In this concluding seminar, the participants will have the opportunity to share any behavioural changes they observed or trying to adopt in their day-to-day routine. This opportunity of sharing will help participants learn from each other in inspiring active change.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Assessment: Reflective Journal

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Duration: 7 weeks (14 hours)

Certification:

This course has two exit certificates:

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend 80 % of the contact hours

2. Certificate of Achievement
To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend all the contact hours
and successfully complete a reflective journal.

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Final Award: Award in Developing Environmental Responsibility

– Language competencies: The student is required to be proficient in Maltese;

– Digital competencies: The student is required to be digitally literate, i.e. knowing how to access the internet, must have an email address and use Moodle software and 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.

Emotional Support In The Community

14/04/2023 Ta` Mlit, Mosta

The aim of this course is to empower persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector, such as pastoral workers; volunteers; and other persons interested in improving their relationships, with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed whilst interacting with parishioners or other persons. This course introduces pastoral workers or volunteers to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through studying and discussing these methods, students become more aware of the tools which help them in their work with different people who come from various cultural and social backgrounds. The course aims to create an opportunity to reflect on the methods they use during their work and relationships and evaluate their work.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

understand the basic helping theories and skills;
know how to listen and respond appropriately;
be able to support the person emotionally and spiritually;
know when to refer a person to professional help.

Persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector. Namely:

Persons who listen and accompany colleagues and friends on a regular basis at their workplace, within their family, etc…
Pastoral workers, volunteers or those who come in contact with persons, families in need, or visit residential homes.
Persons who are interested in developing their relationships.

Target Audience Age: 18+

In this session participants will explore helping skills used during pastoral work, including listening to people, supporting, and validating feelings.

The learning outcomes of this session are:

to learn how to be present with people physically, emotionally, and mentally.
to learn how to help a person feel accepted, understood and not judged.

In this session, the important skill of being empathic when helping people will be discussed. There will be the opportunity to practice this skill during the session. At the same time, the practice of maintaining boundaries will be thoroughly discussed, as having clear and established limits in our work contribute to safe connections.

The learning outcomes of this session are:

to become aware of the importance of empathy;
to be able to practice ways of empathic communication;
to be able to practice self-care through having healthy boundaries.

In this session, the student will become more self-aware; the individual is encouraged to reflect and be aware of his/her strengths, challenges, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

The outcomes of this session are:

to be able to engage in reflective practice;
to be able to identify one’s strengths and challenges;
to be able to bring about changes in the attitudes and ways of working.

In this session, students will be invited to look at their own spiritual life and become aware of how this is manifested and expressed in their personal lives and within the community. It will also investigate cultural varieties and other religious denominations and/or spiritual practices and trends within the parish, and how these influence individual as well as community/parish life, and vice versa. This session will also touch on the notion of spiritual accompaniment and religious practices, how they differ, and how they can complement each other.

The outcomes of this session are:

to gain a better understanding of the spirituality as lived in the community;
to gain awareness by reflecting on one’s own spiritual lives and discourse and how these can influence the community they are part of;
to gain an understanding of the notion of spiritual accompaniment and how this can be put into practice.

In this session, the student will become aware of when s/he should refer a person to professional help, why confidentiality is important when working in a pastoral context and what are the limits to confidentiality.

The outcomes of this session are:

to learn and be able to differentiate amongst various helping professionals and services available;
to be able to guide and link people to further specialised help when required.

The course is delivered in 5 sessions (10 contact hours) over 5 weeks. The 2 hour weekly sessions are held on Fridays between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre. Free parking facilities are available.

Fridays at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Date	Lecture Title	Lecturer
Friday 14th April 2023	Learning how to listen, contain and validate feelings	Mr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 21st April 2023	Learning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundaries as a pastoral worker/non-professional	Mr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 28th April 2023	Learning how to support others emotionally as a pastoral worker/non-professional	Mr Joseph Pellicano
Friday 12th May 2023	How to support others spiritually as a pastoral worker/non-professional	Ms Marisa Gatt
Friday 19th May 2023	Learning when, where and how to refer someone to professional help	Mr Joseph Pellicano

Certification: 

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend all the contact hours;
pass the short multiple-choice online exam;
and successfully complete a Case Study Analysis of at least 500 words;

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.

Safeguarding Seminar for Clergy

23/01/2023 Parish Centre (Hall), Santa Lucija

This seminar aims to equip priests (and brothers) with the necessary safeguarding tools for their work in the community. By familiarising themselves with the key principles of safeguarding, priests can learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

By the end of this 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

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Diocesan Priests
Religious Order Priests
Religious Order Brothers

3-hour in-person seminar. The PFI will be offering this seminar on six different dates, you may find all the dates in the Calendar section below.

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Certificate: Certificate of Attendance*

*_{To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, a student must; attend all the contact hours}.

Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

An Introduction to the Theology of the Holy Spirit

19/01/2023 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 will start by analysing scripture references to the Holy Spirit and will explore the development of the theology of the Holy Spirit from the Church Fathers to contemporary theology. The Course will also illustrate the role of the Holy Spirit in liturgy and ecclesial life, the Communal Discernment, and conclude by analysing how the Holy Spirit is expressed in art.

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

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

Target Audience`s Age: 18+

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

	Session Title	Lecturer
Session 1	Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit of God’	Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
Session 2	Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit in Prophecy’	Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
Session 3	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Synoptic Gospels	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef
Session 4	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef
Session 5	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: The Holy Spirit as a central theme in the Letters of St Paul	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef

Session 6	Patristic Theology: Early Pneumatology	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
Session 7	Patristic Theology: Third Century Tertullian Origen	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
Session 8	Patristic Theology: Fourth and Fifth Centuries	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
Session 9	Dogmatic Theology: The Holy Trinity	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
Session 10	Dogmatic Theology: The work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and the mission of the Church	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
Session 11	Dogmatic Theology: The Holy Spirit in the Papal Magisterium	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri

Session 12	Western Liturgy: The Liturgy as an action of the Holy Spirit	Rev. Stephen Attard
Session 13	Western Liturgy: The four concepts and accompanying gestures in the Post-Second Vatican Council Liturgical Texts	Rev. Stephen Attard
Session 14	Western Liturgy: Holy Orders and Marriage/The Vigil and Day Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost	Rev. Stephen Attard
Session 15	Eastern Liturgy: The work of the Holy Spirit in the Byzantine Liturgy	Papas Prof. Martin Zammit
Session 16	Eastern Liturgy: The Anaphors in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St Basil	Papas Prof. Martin Zammit

Session 17	Communal Discernment	Rev. Dr Andre Zaffarese
Session 18	The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Representations of the Holy Spirit: From symbol to sign	Ms Giulia Privitelli
Session 19	The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Retrieving “likeness”: From idols to icons	Ms Giulia Privitelli

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Session Format

Nineteen lectures on Thursdays between 18:00 and 20:00 (38 hours)

Part 1: Holy Spirit in Scripture

19th January 2023	Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit of God’	Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
26th January 2023	Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit in Prophecy’	Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
2nd February 2023	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Synoptic Gospels	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef
9th February 2023	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef
16th February 2023	Holy Spirit in the New Testament: The Holy Spirit as a central theme in the Letters of St Paul	Rev. Dr Martin Micallef

Part 2: Patristic and Dogmatic Theology of the Holy Spirit

23rd February 2023	Patristic Theology: Early Pneumatology	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
2nd March 2023	Patristic Theology: Third Century Tertullian Origen	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
9th March 2023	Patristic Theology: Fourth and Fifth Centuries	Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
16th March 2023	Dogmatic Theology: The Holy Trinity	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
23rd March 2023	Dogmatic Theology: The work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and the mission of the Church	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri
30th March 2023	Dogmatic Theology: The Holy Spirit in the Papal Magisterium	Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri

Part 3: Holy Spirit in Liturgy

20th April 2023	Western Liturgy: The Liturgy as an action of the Holy Spirit	Rev. Stephen Attard
27th April 2023	Western Liturgy: The four concepts and accompanying gestures in the Post-Second Vatican Council Liturgical Texts	Rev. Stephen Attard
4th May 2023	Western Liturgy: Holy Orders and Marriage/The Vigil and Day Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost	Rev. Stephen Attard
11th May 2023	Eastern Liturgy: The work of the Holy Spirit in the Byzantine Liturgy	Papas Prof. Martin Zammit
18th May 2023	Eastern Liturgy: The Anaphors in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St Basil	Papas Prof. Martin Zammit

Part 4: Manifestation of the Holy Spirit

25th May 2023	Communal Discernment	Rev. Dr Andre Zaffarese
1st June 2023	The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Representations of the Holy Spirit: From symbol to sign	Ms Giulia Privitelli
Friday: 2nd June 2023	The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Retrieving “likeness”: From idols to icons	Ms Giulia Privitelli

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.}}

Introduction to Holy Communion

01/01/2023 Online

Course Description

The course Introduction to the Eucharist is designed to give the extraordinary minister formation and direction for distributing communion during masses and to be a guide to help him/her in taking communion to those who are unable to join the community in person. By the end of this course the student will:

have a basic biblical and theological understanding of the teachings related to the Eucharist.
know the language in which liturgical worship is explicit.
learn most matters concerning the rite of Communion.
learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion.
acquire a deeper knowledge of the role of the extraordinary minister.
grasp the spiritual meaning that this role entails

Intended For

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who provide a service during church masses, in residential elderly homes or homebound sick persons.
Those who wish to learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Those who are starting their service as extraordinary ministers.

Please Note: Doing this course does not entitle the student to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers are chosen by the pastor of the parish/community.

Curriculum

Part 1: God With Us – Dogmatic Theology

Christian theology on God’s revelation in the Eucharist.
The communitarian dimension of the Eucharist.
Eucharistic miracles around the world.
Re-actualisation – understanding the past, present and future dimensions of the sacraments.
Terminology for the Blessed Sacrament.

Part 2: The Biblical Foundations of the Eucharist

The scriptural perspective of the Church’s teachings on the Eucharist.
The foreshadowing of the Eucharist in the Old Testament.
The Last Supper narratives.
The testimony of St Paul on the Eucharist.
Exegesis.

Part 3: The Eucharist in Daily Life

The role of the extraordinary minister at mass and at home.
The effects of the Eucharist on the community.
Cultivating my relationship with God through the Eucharist.
Way of life of the extraordinary minister.
The spiritual dimension of the role of the Eucharistic minister – testimonials:

Calendar

The course is delivered in short, recorded sessions which are each about 18 minutes long. The student will be provided with a username and a password so s/he can watch these sessions on his/her own device. The total number of minutes amounts to 5-6 hours including the assessment.

Usernames and passwords will be sent to students within a week of payment confirmation.

Assessment & Certification

Assessment: Multiple choice test after each online session. The pass mark is 60%.

Certificate: Certificate of completion will be awarded to those who complete all the sessions and pass all the assessments.

An electronic certificate will be sent via email, within a week of successfully completing the course.

Awarding and Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Entry Requirement

A very well-prepared course – portraying the beauty of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Unfortunately, we tend to take the Eucharist for granted. After following the course, you become more aware of the importance behind this ministry.

Maria Farrugia

It is more than an introduction – it highlights the treasure we have in the Catholic faith of having the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and how honoured we should feel when we are called to share in the eucharistic ministry.

Sr Teresa Tonna

Thank you for this enriching experience. It helped me grow spiritually and gave me the opportunity to look at the sacrament of the eucharist in a profound way.

Melanie Ungaro

Since I work in a church school and I’m directly involved in the spiritual formation of our students I had wanted to do this course. The way it was presented was very convenient to do it at my own time. Found it very informative and interesting

Eugenia Blake

The course has challenged me and also helped me to believe more in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I also thank the team of PFI.

Sr Rosemary Onyinyechi Akamnonu

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Lectures were short, to the point & well delivered. Apart from providing me with factual information about the Eucharist, this course has deepened my appreciation and love for the Blessed Sacrament.

Christine Galea

Introduction to Holy Mass

01/01/2023 Online

Course Description

The course Introduction to the Holy Mass is designed to give all those involved in the preparation of the Liturgy, formation for a better understanding of the different parts of the Eucharistic celebration. In light of Sacrosanctum Concilium’s desire to restore the celebration of the Mass to the vigour it enjoyed in Patristic times the course intends to explain the liturgico-historical roots of the different rites of the Mass for a better understanding of the celebration of the Eucharist according to the post-conciliar Missale Romanum. Moreover, such knowledge will enable the participants to put into practice the much desired active participation of the faithful in the celebration of the Mass.

By the end of this course the student will: 

– have a basic liturgical and theological understanding of the celebration of the Mass according to the Missale Romanum 1975.

– know the language in which liturgical worship is explicated. 

– know the historical roots of the different parts of the Mass.

– learn most matters concerning the different rites which compose the celebration of the Mass.  

– acquire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different roles, members of the assembly hold. 

– grasp the spiritual meaning that these roles entail

Intended For

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion,
Lectors, Animators,
Choir members,
members of the Parish Liturgical Commission
and those interested in understanding better the celebration of the Eucharist.

Curriculum

Part 1: The Introductory Rites  

The Introit
Greeting of the Altar and of the Assembly  
The Act of Penance
The Kyrie Eleison
The Gloria
The Collect

Part 2: The Liturgy of the Word  

The Readings and the Responsorial Psalm
The Acclamation and the Gospel
The Homily
The Profession of Faith
The Prayer of the Faithful.

Part 3: The Liturgy of the Eucharist 

The Offertory
The Preface
The Eucharistic Prayer I
The Eucharistic Prayer II
The Eucharistic Prayer III
The Eucharistic Prayer IV
The Eucharistic Prayer V
The Eucharistic Prayer of Reconciliation I and II

Part 4: The Communion Rite

The Lord’s Prayer
The Rite of Peace
The Fraction
Communion
The Concluding Rites

Calendar

The course is delivered in short, recorded sessions which are each about 15 minutes long. The student will be provided with a username and a password so s/he can watch these sessions at his/her own computer or other technological device. The total number of minutes amount to 6-7hrs including the assessment.

Usernames and passwords will be sent to students within a week of payment confirmation.

Assessment & Certification

Assessment: Multiple choice test after each online session. The pass mark is 60%.

Certificate: Certificate of completion will be awarded to those who complete all the sessions and pass all the assessments.

An electronic certificate will be sent via email, within a week of successfully completing the course.

Awarding and Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Entry Requirement

Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces

22/11/2022 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 Higher Education Programme.

Students who successfully complete this course can 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 back for this course).

The course Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is designed to:

equip the 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 the participants to accompany others and explore their faith, spirituality, and life’s big questions in a safe, creative, and interactive way.
lead the 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 center, a parish hall, at the workplace, in an open-plan area, or an outdoor place.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

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 counselors,
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 on six 3-hour sessions.

Currently, enrolment is not open for this course. For further information contact us on [email protected]

Assessment:

To receive

Multiple-choice online exam – 40%
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). Guidelines on how to do the assignment.

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;
and successfully complete a Reflective Journal of at least 500 words;

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.