Short Course – Page 4 – Pastoral Formation Institute

The Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope for Curia and Tribunal Staff

30/07/2024

This course aims to help participants to prepare themselves and be able to prepare others for The Jubilee of 2025, centred around the theme of hope.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the biblical foundations of the words ‘jubilee’, ‘hope’, and ‘pilgrimage’. The course will delve into the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis on the subject of hope. A dedicated session will be devoted to applying the concept of Jubilee in our contemporary context and understanding its relevance to the Church’s mission of Evangelization. The journey will conclude with an in-depth review of Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction, ‘Spes non confundit‘.

Curia and tribunal members of staff

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:30pm

at Sala San Ġwann

Date	Session
16th October 2024	Introduction – What does the word ‘Jubilee’ mean? The Jubilee in Sacred Scriptures What does the word ‘Pilgrimage’ mean? The Pilgrimage in the Sacred Scriptures
13th November 2024	Hope in the Old Testament Hope in the New Testament and in the first communities of the Church
15th January 2025	Hope in the writings of the Popes – Spe Salvi, the Catechesis of Pope Francis and Bull of Indiction ‘Spes Non Confundit’

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours for this course.

Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend a minimum 80% of all contact hours
pass from short multiple-choice exam
pass from written assessment

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

Introduction to Sacred Scriptures for Daughters of the Sacred Heart

03/07/2024 Daughters of the Sacred Heart Convent, Ħamrun

The Bible is not a single work, but a library of books that, while sharing the same divine authorship, differ greatly in their styles, history, cultural background, themes, and interpretation.

Through this course, students can expect to develop a basic understanding of why and how the Bible came to be, considering its different sources, transmission, redaction, consolidation, and intentions.

By integrating their newly acquired knowledge of the Bible’s history and the roles of divine inspiration and human cooperation in its creation, students will be able to interpret Biblical passages with greater depth, meaning, and truth. They will also learn to recognize and avoid common errors in Scriptural interpretation. Above all, they will grow in their passion for God as present in His Word.

Daughters of the Sacred Heart

Date	Session
28th July 2025 8:30am – 10:30am	Canonicity
29th July 2025 9:00am – 11:00am	Inspiration
30th July 2025 9:00am – 11:00am	History of the Old and New Testment
31st July 2025 9:00am – 11:00am	Hermeneutics

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, pass from short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Emotional Support In The Community: Basic Skills for Dar il-Kaptan

21/06/2024 Dar il-Kaptan, Imtarfa

The aim of this course is to empower individuals without academic backgrounds in psychology, such as pastoral workers, volunteers, and others interested in enhancing their fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes for interacting effectively with parishioners or others. This course introduces participants to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through study and discussion, students gain awareness of tools that assist them in their work with people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. The course provides an opportunity to reflect on methods used in their work and relationships and evaluate their effectiveness.

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

Understand the basic theories and skills of helping.
Know how to listen and respond appropriately.
Provide emotional and spiritual support.
Identify when to refer someone to professional help.

Individuals without an academic background in psychology, including:

Those who regularly provide support and companionship to colleagues and friends in their workplace, family, etc.
Pastoral workers, volunteers, or individuals who interact with people in need or visit residential homes.

Target Audience Age: 18+

In this session, participants will explore pastoral work’s helping skills, including active listening, providing support, and validating feelings.

In this session, participants will discuss the crucial skill of empathy in assisting others. Participants will have the opportunity to practice this skill during the session. Additionally, participants will thoroughly explore the practice of maintaining boundaries, as clear and established limits in our work contribute to safe and effective connections.

In this session, participants will cultivate self-awareness; they will be prompted to reflect on and acknowledge their strengths, challenges, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

In this session, participants will explore their own spiritual journey and recognize its manifestations in their personal lives and within the community. It will delve into cultural diversity, other religious denominations, and spiritual practices within the parish, examining their impact on individual and community life. Additionally, the session will address spiritual accompaniment and religious practices, differentiating between them and exploring their potential synergy.

In this session, participants will learn when to refer individuals to professional help, understand the significance of confidentiality in pastoral work, and recognize the boundaries of confidentiality.

Date	Session
2nd January 2025 9:30am – 2:30pm	Seminar 1
3rd January 2025 8:30am – 3:30pm	Seminar 2

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;

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: Participants must have a primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Participants must know how to access the internet and use office suites.

Basic Media Literacy Education

19/06/2024

This course offers an in-depth exploration of Media Literacy Education (MLE) within the context of theology and pastoral ministries. It investigates the significant impact of the digital and virtual worlds on individuals and communities, underscoring how these influences continuously shape our identities and perspectives.

Adopting a critical approach, the course examines the benefits and challenges presented by various media forms. It emphasizes the need for discernment and critical thinking to effectively navigate today’s complex media landscape. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of media literacy education and its vital role in modern society.

This course is designed for pastoral workers who contribute to the digital presence of their parish and/or organization, as well as individuals who seek to deepen their understanding of Media Literacy Education.

Target Audience Age: 19+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

The Digital and Virtual Worlds That Shape Us: A Source of Continuous Influence

Benefits and Challenges of Media

What is Media Literacy Education?

The Three Main Pillars of the M.L.E.: Content, Audience and Technical Languages

Basic Principles of M.L.E.

The need of M.L.E. in Theology and Pastoral Ministries in the Church

Pastoral Application of the M.L.E. Pillars

Pastoral Application of the M.L.E. Principles

Understanding and Addressing an Audience

How to Address the Different Aspects of a Person

The Importance of the Pedagogical Narrative: A Guide to Using Digital Technologies as Means to Bridge Catechesis and the Human Experience

The Importance of the Creative Message

Education for Critical Thinking: Inseparable Elements of A Holistic Education

Participants will be equipped with a toolkit to explore and utilize creative tools for preparing materials tailored to pastoral work, enhancing their ability to engage effectively in their ministries.

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must view all videos and pass from all short multiple-choice exams.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to AI in Pastoral Settings: Tools and Practices

23/05/2024

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 course aims to equip individuals working in pastoral contexts with the knowledge and skills needed to utilize AI tools effectively. Designed for those with little to no prior knowledge of AI, the course provides a basic understanding of AI systems, their potential applications, and best practices for implementation in pastoral work. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of how AI tools and systems function, an awareness of the positive and negative aspects of such tools, and an understanding of the Church’s position on AI. They will also develop the ability to critically assess which contexts might benefit from introducing AI tools and which would not, as well as gain awareness of some AI tools that might prove useful in pastoral work.

Pastoral Workers
Priests
Religious

And other individuals interested in the subject

Target Audience Age: 18+

Session

What is AI? What is the Church’s position on AI?

Helpful AI tools and how to make use of them

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels

23/05/2024

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 course explores the Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke—which are often studied together due to their common heritage. In contrast, the Gospel of John belongs to a markedly different tradition and emerged later.

Students will delve into the history and character of these Synoptic Gospels, gaining an appreciation for the styles and themes that are both common and unique to each. This knowledge will be applied through systematic analysis of relevant passages from these three Gospels.

By integrating the content and skills acquired during this course, students will be able to interpret Synoptic passages with greater depth, meaning, and accuracy. They will also learn to recognise and avoid common errors in Scriptural interpretation. Above all, students will grow in their passion for Christ as revealed in the Word.

Pastoral Workers involved in Ministry of the Word.
Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of the scripture.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Session

Gospel According to Mark

Gospel According to Matthew

Gospel According to Luke

The Two-Source Hypothesis

The Two-Source Hypothesis (Application)

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Expressions of Personal Prayer

23/05/2024

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 course acquaints students with the more common expressions of prayer within the Catholic Church, exploring their origins, strengths, limitations, and appropriate contexts. By internalising this knowledge, students will be motivated and equipped to advance in their own prayer journey and to guide communal moments of prayer effectively.

To be eligible for this course, participants must have completed the ‘Introduction to Prayer’ course or possess at least an MQF Level 4 qualification in religion or theology. Please upload a copy of your relevant certification with the application form.

Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Session

Praying with Nature and Music

Praying with Art

Praying with Scripture

Devotional Prayer

Praying Like the Saints

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Prayer

23/05/2024

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/.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with a foundational understanding of the place of prayer in the Catholic tradition. Rather than offering a manual or handbook on how to pray, this course will serve as a springboard for exploring prayer within Christianity. Participants will be challenged to consider what it means to see themselves as persons of prayer, deepening their spiritual practice and enriching their faith experience.

Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

This course will be offered from October 2024

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

What is Prayer?
The Universal Call to Prayer
Prayer in the Old Testament: Models, Advice and Material
Prayer in the New Testament: Models, Advice and Material
Prayer Times and Environments
Praying together and for others
The Mass: The Ultimate Prayer
Aids to Prayer
Leading a Life of Prayer
Important Aspects of Prayer

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Sacred Scriptures

16/05/2024

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/.

The Bible is not a single work, but a library of books that, while sharing the same divine authorship, differ greatly in their styles, history, cultural background, themes, and interpretation.

Pastoral Workers involved in the Ministry of the Word.
Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of Sacred Scripture.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Session

Canonicity

Inspiration

History of the Old Testament

History of the New Testament

Hermeneutics

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, pass from short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Living Beyond Sunday

09/05/2024

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/.

NEW DATES AND FORMAT. SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE.

Our relationship with God is not supposed to stay within the walls of our parish church when we leave after Sunday Mass. Instead, ‘the mass is ended go in the peace’ is an exhortation so that what we received during mass transform our hearts, our families, our homes, and our schools into a welcoming place to encounter Christ until we gather again the following Sunday to be strengthened and sent forth once again.

In this new course Living Beyond Sunday, we aim to share ideas to help parents and all those working with children make their time together a place of encounter with God–a place where saints are being made; it shares how to foster holiness in all the little everyday moments in Catholic life starting from the spiritual pedagogy and moving on to giving practical ways to celebrate this based on the premise that with little attempts, creativity, effort, and adaptations, it is possible to make that which we live during liturgy appealing, meaningful and have a powerful impact on the children.

Pastoral workers helping in children’s ministry, chaplaincy teams in schools, parents, catechists, leaders of family groups and those interested in the subject.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am – 12:30pm

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Dates	Session
25th October 2025	Introduction: Children’s Spirituality and their relationship with God Introduction to the Liturgy & Liturgical Year Fundamentals of Liturgy Preparation
22nd November 2025	Advent and Christmas Ordinary time & Saints
7th February 2025	Lent and Easter Triduum Easter Ordinary Time and Celebrating Saints

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from the hands-on project.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.