PFI Courses – Pastoral Formation Institute

Called to Witness: Formation for Confraternity Members for Mosta Parish

14/10/2026

This course offers confraternity members a renewed understanding of their identity and mission within the life of the Church. Rooted in history, tradition, and spirituality, the programme explores the meaning of confraternity life, personal and communal spiritual growth, discipline and public witness, parish service, and continuity in today’s world. Through reflection, discussion, and practical guidance, members are invited to deepen their commitment and live their vocation with renewed faith, dignity, and responsibility.

Active members of confraternities (new and long-standing) and youths discerning membership

Target Audience Age: 16+

This course comprises pre-recorded lectures, which will be accessible via the Moodle platform and viewed together on a separate day. The course will conclude with a session focusing on the practical aspects of the service and its organisation within the parish community.

Date	Session	Venue
3rd December 2026 7.00pm – 8.00pm	What Is a Confraternity? Identity, History & Purpose	Oratorju Qalb ta’ Ġesu
7th January 2027 7.00pm – 8.00pm	The Spiritual Life of the Confraternity Member	Oratorju Qalb ta’ Ġesu
4th February 2027 7.00pm – 8.00pm	Discipline, Dress & Public Witness	Oratorju Qalb ta’ Ġesu
4th March 7.00pm – 8.00pm	Continuity & Faithful Witness Today	Oratorju Qalb ta’ Ġesu
1st April 7.00pm – 8.00pm	Service in the Parish & Organisation	Oratorju Qalb ta’ Ġesu

This course has one exit certificate option:

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.

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 Ministry of the Word for Luqa’s Parish

13/10/2026

Photo credit: Archdiocese of Malta – Mr Ian Noel Pace

This course is designed for individuals serving as lectors in their parishes or churches, equipping them to be today’s prophets who proclaim God’s Word with reverence and understanding. It begins with an introduction to the Holy Scriptures, offering a comprehensive overview. Participants will learn to identify different types of texts, such as letters, commands, and narratives, and how to effectively communicate these in their ministry.

The course also explores the use of the Lectionary, deepening participants’ understanding of its structure and purpose in liturgical settings. Lectors will receive guidance on praying with the Holy Scriptures, enriching their spiritual lives and enhancing their ability to proclaim the Word.

Additionally, the course includes training in public speaking, enabling participants to deliver Scripture readings with confidence, clarity, and conviction.

Lectors who serve in the parish of St. Julian’s

Target Audience Age: 16+

This course consists of four (4) pre-recorded lectures that can be watched on the Moodle platform . After viewing the pre-recorded lectures together, a practical in-person seminar will take place.

Date and Time	Session	Mode of Delivery	Venue
Friday 22nd January 6.30pm – 8.00pm	Introduction to the Holy Scriptures	In-person	Parish Hall
	Isaiah 55, 10-11	Pre-Recorded Lecture
Friday 29th January 6.30pm – 8.00pm	The Bible as a means of Prayer	Pre-Recorded Lecture	Parish Hall
	Public speaking skills	Pre-Recorded Lecture
Friday 5th February 6.30pm – 8.00pm	Seminar – The Centrality of the Word of God in the Liturgy	In-person	Parish Church

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when viewing all pre-recorded videos on Moodle and attend the in-person seminar.

Introduction to AI in Pastoral Settings: Tools and Practices for MUSEUM BNIET

12/10/2026

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.

Members of MUSEUM

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Fridays from 6.00pm to 8:30pm at

3, Triq Vincenzo Dimech, Floriana.

Date	Session
30th October	What is AI? What is the Church’s position on AI?
6th November	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.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for San Anton

02/10/2026

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-028) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as a Higher Education Programme.

The short course – Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults will assist staff and volunteers in recognising the key principles of safeguarding and in creating a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

San Anton School

November – December 2026

Lecturing Period

Mode of Delivery	Date & Time	Venue
In-person	Wednesday 11thNovember 2026 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm	San Anton School, Mġarr
Recorded material	Wednesday 11th November 2026 – Wednesday 25th November 2026	Recorded videos will be accessible online via our Moodle VLE platform

Assessment Period

Assessment	Available From	Due by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam	Wednesday 11th November 2026	Wednesday 25th November 2026
Reflective Journal	Wednesday 11th November 2026	Friday 11th December 2026

LO1 – Competence

By the end of the programme, the learner will have acquired a good enough combination of the below mentioned skills and knowledge, so much so that s/he will be competent enough to provide an emotionally, mentally and spiritually safe working environment for children and/or vulnerable adults; can recognise and deal with different signs of abuse; can comply with national laws, policies and procedures concerning safeguarding and can refer and collaborate with professionals in the field to ensure that the person in question is not being abused.

LO2 – Knowledge

By the end of the programme, the learner will be able to: a) identify the principles of safeguarding; b) familiarise himself/herself with safeguarding policies; c) identify signs and symptoms of different types of abuse; d) know the disclosures of abuse; e) know the legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors; (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minor Protection (Alternative Care) Act (2019).

LO3 – Skill

By the end of the programme, the learner will be able to: a) practice the principles of safeguarding; b) practice professional boundaries; c) use a standard response to a disclosure of abuse; d) be able to recognise signs and symptoms of different types of abuse; e) identify the actions to take if you have a concern and also identify who can help;

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to students who:

attend the in‑person session,
watch all the recorded material, and
do not submit any course assessments.

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation will be rewarded to students who:

attend the in‑person session,
watch all the recorded material, and
submit and pass a short online multiple‑choice examination

Certificate of Achievement

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

attending the in‑person lecture and completing all online videos,
submit and pass a short online multiple‑choice examination
submit and pass a short reflective journal.

Students who obtain the Certificate of Achievement will also receive an MFHEA‑recognised certificate and transcript at MQF Level 4 (1 ECTS credit).

Click here to view the PFI’s Grading System

Awarding Body: Pastoral Formation Institute

There are no qualifications required for this course. The only requisites are:

Language competences: The student is required to have an end of primary school level of understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital competences: The student is required to be digitally literate, including knowing how to access the internet and use a word processor.

This course is mandatory requirement for all staff and volunteers working for the Church in Malta and part of the Safeguarding Clearance Certificate.

St Monica Senior School B’Kara – Introduction to Safeguarding for Parishes and Entities

29/09/2026 St Monica Senior School Bkara

This short seminar will assist participants to recognise the basic themes in safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults in their entity.

St Monica Senior School Bkara

The seminar will consist of one in-person session, taking place on Friday, 30th October 2026, from 9:00am to 12:00pm.