PFI Courses – Page 3 – Pastoral Formation Institute

Award in Augustinian Spirituality for Educators

25/10/2023

Elements of Augustinian charism and identity will be proposed in a meaningful manner to the building up of today’s society, especially in education. Thus, by exploring critically various aspects, the participants will grasp a deeper knowledge and experience of Augustinian values.

The main objective of the course is to present in a brief way the charism and the spirituality of the Augustinian Order through values and practical experience from education.

Dates will be announced soon.

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023

This online course will explore the roots of Diakonia in Sacred Scripture and early Christian communities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between Diakonia, faith, and prayer while delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Additionally, participants will examine the evolution of Diakonia in Malta and learn about available services.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 38% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

This course is intended for:

Individuals who are already involved in Diakonia and wish to deepen their involvement in it.
Individuals who are interested in becoming involved in Diakonia.
Individuals who are interested in offering Diakonia-related services through a Church entity that they form part of.

_{N.B. completing this course does not entitle the student to automatically become a pastoral operator engaged in Djakonija within any specific parish. Such appointments are made at the discretion of the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the respective Parish/community.}

Target Audience Age: 18+

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:

Biblical meaning of the word Diakonia and the word in the Old Testament;
Djakonija in the New Testament with special reference to Acts;
Djakonija in the first communities – the link between kerygma, koinonia, diakonia and liturgia;
Personal prayer life leads me to Diakonia;
The link between faith and life is one of the cornerstones of Christian theology and can be described in a variety of ways. For St Paul, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”;
Evangelisation, djakonija and the digital age;
Malta’s reality has changed – what are today’s sociological ‘pains’?;
The Preferential Option for the Poor & the four pillars of Catholic social teaching; human dignity common good, subsidiarity and solidarity;
How the Church in Malta was a pioneer in the Diakonia sector;
What Diakonia services are being offered today? What are the different types of professionals working in this field?

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform and passing short multiple-choice examinations.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform, passing a short multiple-choice examination, and passing from a written assignment.

Language: A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital: Ability to access the internet and use an office suite is required.

Introduction to Catechetical Ministry for Children

21/10/2023

This course is intended to form and support catechists who wish to become better acquainted with the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith, in view of their service to the Christian community. By the end of this course, the learner will become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry and equipped with essential practical skills needed in the service of catechetical ministry.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 20% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

Catechists who teach children and adolescents.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course is made up of an asynchronous module and two blended modules.

Module Title	Mode
Module 1 – Faith Foundations for Ministry incl. seminars	Asynchronous
Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children	Asynchronous
Module 3 – Catechetical Ministry for Children	In-person
Module 3 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults	Blended

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

This module provides a basic introduction in Christian theology. Participants will explore 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 on The Sources of Theology and gain a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will enable participants to construct a holistic vision of catechetical ministry, one which responds to contemporary needs, through the exploration of various areas of knowledge and skills necessary for the formation of the catechetical minister of which include:

Theoretical and practical aspects of basic catechetical principles
Catechetical methodology including lesson planning
Exploration of relative social sciences
The needs of children with different social and or psychological needs

By the end of the module, the learner will:

become aware of the call as a catechist and why this role is valuable within the Church;
develop a thorough and holistic view of the different aspects which build up the core identity of the catechetical minister in the Church;
become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry and develop the ability to apply them in ministry
become equipped with essential practical skills needed for catechetical ministry

Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module will explore key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

By the end of the module, students will:

be familiar with safeguarding policies
know principles underlying safeguarding
know the different types of abuse together signs and symptoms of abuse
know how to deal with disclosure of abuse
know how to practice professional boundaries and identify poor practice
know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

The module is made up of 7 recorded sessions accessible through institute’s Moodle.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module is made up of 3 in-person sessions and 9 recorded sessions, accessible through institute’s Moodle.

Calendar of In-Person Seminars

Saturdays between 9:30am – 12:00pm

Dates	Seminar Titles
21st October 2023	My Mission and Vocation as a Catechist
25th November 2023	Understanding Those Whom We Accompany
20th January 2024	The Digital Era & Catechesis: Practical Aspects
16th March 2024	The Sacred Scriptures
20th April 2024	The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church

Module 3 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module is delivered over one in-person session and one recorded session, accessible through institute’s Moodle. In-person session will be held on Saturday 17th February 2024 between 9:30am and 12:30pm.

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

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Participation

attend all in-person seminars;
pass short multiple-choice online exams (per module);

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students need to:

attend all in-person seminars;
pass the short multiple-choice online exams (per module);
and successfully complete a written assignment (per module);

Final Awards: Introduction to Catechetical Ministry & Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

Teaching Institution/s: Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with Lifelong Catechesis, and Safeguarding Commission

Digital competences:

Applicants are required to have basic computer literacy, mainly how to access and use an internet browser and use a word processor

Language competences:

The student is required to have at least primary school level of Maltese and English.

Exemptions

Applicants who have an MQF/EQF level 4 (or higher) in Theology or Religious Studies, or have a General Education Award in Evangelisation, will be exempted from Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.

Applicants who have an Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults are exempt from Module 3 -Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.

Faith Foundations for Ministry

21/10/2023

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 have:

become aware of what the sources of theology are;
gained a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

This course is intended to form and support adults who wish to become better acquainted with the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith. This course is offered in asynchronous learning mode as a foundation course before applying for other courses offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute.

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

Adults who do not have an academic theological background and wish to widen their knowledge on the Catholic Faith.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Topic	Lecturer
The Sacred Scriptures	Mr Edward Wright
The Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium	Mr Edward Wright
The Christian doctrine of God of Jesus Christ	Ms Dorianne Cassar
The Holy Spirit	Dr Dorianne Buttigieg
The Church as the builder of the Kingdom of God	Mr Edward Wright
The Meaning of the Sacraments and the Liturgy	Rev. Stephen Attard
The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church	Rev. Dr Carlo Calleja

Applicants will have access to this material on the PFI`s Moodle Portal. The module is delivered in short, recorded sessions which are each about 15 minutes long. The students will be provided with a username and a password so they can watch these sessions on their own devices. The total number of minutes amounts to 8 hours.

The course will be offered in October 2023. Usernames and passwords will be sent to students within a week of payment confirmation.

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation need to watch all the online material and successfully complete all the short multiple-choice exams.

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students need to:

pass the short multiple-choice online exams;
and successfully complete a written assignment;

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

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

AFF Level: Level 4

Total Credits: 1 Credit

Teaching and Awarding 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.

Emotional Support In The Community: Basic Skills for Pastoral Workers

09/10/2023

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.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 43% discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

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.

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Date	Lecture Title
7th October	Learning how to listen, contain and validate feelings
14th October	Learning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundaries
21st October	Learning how to support others emotionally as a pastoral worker/non-professional
28th October	How to support others spiritually as a pastoral worker/non-professional
4th November	Learning when, where and how to refer someone to professional help

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.

Emotional Support: Self Awareness and Self Care

06/10/2023 Ta` Mlit, Mosta

This is a follow-up course which complements the ‘Emotional Support in the Community: Basic Skills’ course. This course focuses on and encourages the participants to engage in reflective practice, and to enhance the skills of self-awareness. It takes an in-depth look at issues related to transference and countertransference, and how these influence the individuals receiving the service.

The course then delves into the topic of mental health, focusing on supporting people with mental health issues, particularly when it comes to depression and anxiety. The course also aims to create an opportunity to discuss self-care practices, which are crucial to providing the best possible care.

Learning Outcomes:

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

Understand the importance of self-awareness and how to apply it to themselves in a personal and pastoral care context.
Define and describe transference and countertransference and what prompts them.
Comprehend the meaning of reflective practice, and hence begin to analyse their practices to gain a better understanding of quality service, which ensures a safe and positive working environment.
Grasp the concepts of mental health and mental health issues and how they affect daily life.
Explore what depression is (and is not) and highlight the difference between ‘normal’ anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Understand the importance of taking care of themselves as service providers.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 43 % discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

The course is highly recommended for:

Those who completed Emotional Support in the Community: Basic Skills with the Pastoral Formation Institute.
People who desire to enhance their listening abilities, to improve their relationships with family members, and co-workers.
Supportive individuals who wish to care for themselves in the process of helping others.

Target Audience Age: 18+

During their personal commitments, pastoral workers have a variety of experiences that help them better understand themselves.

Knowing oneself and becoming self-aware helps those involved in pastoral work relate to those with whom they are called to be in a relationship more effectively. It’s vital as they strive to treat others’ feelings, points of view, and circumstances with kindness and faithfulness.

In addition to self-awareness, emotional self-awareness encourages pastoral workers to investigate how their emotions influence their pastoral work. Hence, it is vital that they keep their emotions in check.

Countertransference occurs when the person receiving the service triggers the pastoral worker’s unconscious wants, desires, or experiences. In certain circumstances, pastoral professionals may be unaware of the needs or sentiments developing within themselves. As a result, a volunteer or pastoral worker must have good psychological health and emotional maturity.

Due to unresolved feelings, the pastoral worker or volunteer becomes a person from the past for the individual receiving the service through transference. A significant relationship is formed through association when a pastoral worker reminds a layperson of someone who has been a nurturing influence in their life.

Reflective practice in pastoral ministry is associated with an increased awareness of the minister’s own style in service, as well as validation of his or her own ideas. There may be room for constructive challenges to customary practices. This will aid in clarifying the role of the ministry in society.

Reflective practice also assists pastoral workers in identifying their own strengths and limitations and using this knowledge to encourage their peers to enhance their performance or service. Reflection will help the volunteer improve their self-directed learning ability, motivation, and the level of care they can provide.

Because pastoral workers engage with people on a daily basis, it is critical that they are aware of any mental health concerns that may be harming their service users’ well-being. During this session, we will have an overview of mental health concerns that may be affecting individuals we meet through our volunteer work.

As a result, they will recognize that good mental health entails being able to think, feel, and behave in ways that you need and want to live your life. However, if you experience a period of poor mental health, you may find that the ways you often think, feel, or react become difficult, if not impossible, to manage.

During this session, pastoral workers will gain a better understanding of the causes that contribute to depression, as well as how trauma can contribute to it. They will also appreciate the connections between childhood trauma and how adults function with and without depression and anxiety issues. With all this information, pastoral workers will learn how to support these individuals while respecting their autonomy.

There may be a misconception that self-care is unnecessary during pastoral work because a minister is supposed to devote their lives to others with boundless love. However, pastoral workers will become more conscious of the importance of self-care during this session. They are less likely to break boundaries, burn out, or engage in risky behavior if they practice self-care, which helps lower overall stress and helps them achieve balance. They are becoming more aware that when they take care of themselves, they are also taking care of others.

The course is delivered in 6 sessions (12 contact hours) over 6 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.

Mondays at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Date	Lecture Title
15.01.2024	Understanding Self-Awareness.
22.01.2024	Discussing Transference and Countertransference.
29.01.2024	Understanding the Concept of Reflective Practice and Learning to Reflect on Our Work.
05.02.2024	Understanding Mental Health and Supporting People with Mental Health Issues.
19.02.2024	Working with People Dealing with Depression and Anxiety.
26.02.2024	Appreciating and Practicing Self-Care.

Certification: 

This course offers three exit certificate options

1. Certificate of Attendance

To receive a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend a minimum of 80% of 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 minimum of 80% of the contact hours;
pass the short multiple-choice online exam;
and successfully complete a Case Study Analysis.

Teaching and Awarding 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 strive to evaluate applications based on academic potential. We consider a diverse range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other relevant experiences and skills.

Language Skills: A basic understanding of both Maltese and English.

Digital Skills: Proficient in internet access and word processing.

Emotional Support: Introducing Helping Skills to Service Providers

21/08/2023 Ta` Mlit, Mosta

This course aims to provide emotional support skills to workers in the service industry with jobs that require them to work directly with people on an individual level, such as hairdressers, beauticians, and more. To maintain a positive relationship in the service industry, workers are faced with the inevitable task of supporting their clients in the problems and experiences they may feel comfortable sharing with them.

Empathy, affection, and care are all forms of emotional support that the clients may need. According to research, the most effective strategy for engaging customers is to go beyond customer satisfaction and connect with them on an emotional level, which plays a larger role in meeting deeper emotional demands. Following this training, participants will be more aware of how to assist their customers on an emotional level while maintaining appropriate boundaries, valuing self-care, and being able to refer to other professionals.

Learning Outcomes:

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

improve their listening and assist colleagues and/or clients at work;
accompany with others while containing their emotions;
know when and how to refer patients for additional assistance;
build a sense of familiarity among their staff and consumers.

People whose work requires them to listen to and support colleagues and/or clients.
Service providers who have direct contact with their clients and spend a significant amount of time with them.
Service providers who want to strengthen their interactions with their clients and colleagues.
Employers who seek to foster a sense of familiarity among their employees and customers.

Target Audience Age: 18+

It is not necessary for attendees to have any academic background in the psychological sector.

This session aims to provide more awareness to service providers regarding the importance of emotional connections when developing relationships with customers, encouraging customer loyalty and a good overall reputation.

The learning outcomes of this session are:

to define ‘emotion’ and be conscious of how one interacts with their own feelings.
to be aware that a person can communicate by expressing their emotions.

In this session, participants learn about listening, supporting, and validating feelings as helping skills. By simply being present, participants learn how to lay the groundwork for additional support and assist one another.

The learning outcomes of this session are:

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

The crucial skill of empathy is tackled in this session. Participants learn to be aware of the fundamental requirements for providing assistance, showing unconditional positive regard and empathy while being congruent.

The outcomes of this session are:

Becoming aware of the importance of empathy.
Being sincere, genuine, and honest with their customers.
Adopting a perspective of complete acceptance and love, whether for oneself or another.

This session will delve into the practice of upholding boundaries. Setting boundaries at work allows us to foster safe connections while being aware of our interactions with others and ourselves.

The outcomes of this session are:

Being able to practice self-care by establishing healthy boundaries.
Being aware of the various boundary types that preserve a good relationship while protecting participants from their customers.

During this session, participants learn when to refer someone to professional help . Participants learn the difference between respecting the customers’ confidentiality and when it is necessary to disclose certain information for the benefit of their well-being.

The outcomes of this session are:

Learning and being able to differentiate between various helping professionals and services available;
Being able to guide and refer people to more specialised help when needed.

The course is delivered in 5 sessions (10 contact hours) over 5 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.

Mondays: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Date	Lecture Title
21st August	Recognising the Value of Strong Emotional Bonds with Customers
28th August	Learning how to listen, contain, and validate customers’ feelings.
4th September	How to Demonstrate Empathy while Listening to Customers
11th September	Learning to maintain healthy boundaries while remaining emotionally connected to customers.
18th September	Knowing when, where, and how to refer someone to a professional.

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 course contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend a minimum of 80% of all course contact hours;
successfully complete the course`s assessments (short multiple-choice exam & 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 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

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

Benedictine Spirituality Today

17/10/2022 Ta` Mlit, Mosta

The course Benedictine Spirituality for Today is designed to introduce people to the life and teachings of St Benedict of Norcia (480 – 547), Patriarch of Western Monastics, and Patron of Europe. St Benedict is well-known for his Rule, in which he carefully integrates prayer, manual labor, and study into a well-rounded daily routine.

His Rule for Monasteries is steeped in Sacred Scripture and is presented as a small guide for beginners. This course shows the Rule of St Benedict as a handbook whose teachings can be readily applied to twenty-first century Christians willing to live their Christian lives in a parish, school, hospital community, or any other community, which for them would be a school of the Lord’s Service’. The ultimate aim is holiness and beholding the face of God.

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

have a basic knowledge of the life of St Benedict of Norcia as described in the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great;
be conversant with the major themes in the Rule of St Benedict;
be able to describe Benedictine Spirituality as a way of receiving and giving Blessings within the context of a School of the Lord’s Service;
have read at least the most important parts of the Rule of St Benedict;
be able to identify some major Benedictine geographic landmarks today;
have come across some of the commentators on the Rule of St Benedict;
have been introduced in general terms to Basil and Cassian, as indicated by St Benedict himself;
have been introduced in general terms to the life and writings of Bernard of Clairvaux.
attempt to work out a spirituality based on Benedict’s teachings for the workplace, the family, leisure time, and the digital world of social media

confidently discuss the values and virtues that St Benedict promotes in his Rule;
have had time to reflect on how to apply Benedictine values in their daily lives.

Those who are in search of God in their daily lives.
Beginners in the spiritual life who would like to explore ‘a small rule for beginners’ as they journey towards God.
People are interested in Saint Benedict as a master and guide of the spiritual life.

People who would like to explore what Saint Benedict may have to offer for their spiritual journey.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Lecture 1: Introduction

Benedictine Places and things: Via Benedicti, Pax inter Spinas, Pax, the Benedictine Medal, and St Benedict from the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great Book 2
Reading St Benedict 1 – Introduction on preparing a personalized list of Benedict’s maxims
Prologue, Chapter 73, texts on the Abbot

Lecture 2:

Texts on Meekness and Obedience
Texts on Prayer and Liturgy

Lecture 3:

A school of the Lord’s Service
Texts on Synodality

Lecture 1:

The Three Benedictine Vows – Obedience, Stability, and Conversion of Manners
The Three Components of the Benedictine Day – Ora et Labora et Lege

Lecture 2:

The Ten Benedictine Values – I: The Three Ls – Listening, Lectio Divina, Liturgy
The Ten Benedictine Values – II: The Three Hs – Humility, Humanity and Hospitality

Lecture 3:

The Ten Benedictine Values – III: The Four Ss – Spiritual Fatherhood, Stability, seeking God, and Silences
The seventy-two instruments of good works

Lecture 1:

Towards a Benedictine Spirituality of the workplace for managers and others
Towards a Benedictine Spirituality of Parish Life

Lecture 2:

Hints from Benedict that may be applied to the digital world of social media
Spiritual Direction in the Rule of St Benedict

Lecture 3:

Reading Basil and Cassian – selected texts
Bernard of Clairvaux – the purification of Benedict

The course is delivered over 27 contact hours over 9 weeks. The 3-hour sessions are held weekly on Mondays between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

Venue: Ta` Mlit, Mosta

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

Part 1 : Reading the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great and The Rule of St Benedict

Lecture 1	Monday 17^th October 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 2	Monday 24^th October 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 3	Monday 31^st October 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Part 2: Benedictine Spirituality in Numbers – The Major Themes of The Rule of St Benedict

Lecture 1	Monday 7^th November 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 2	Monday 14^th November 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 3	Monday 21^st November 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Part 3: Applying Benedict

Lecture 1	Monday 28^th November 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 2	Monday 5^th December 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lecture 3	Monday 12^th December 2022	5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

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 three-course multiple-choice online exams.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend at least 80% of the course`s contact hours;
pass the three short multiple-choice online exams;
and successfully complete a short essay of at least 500 words;

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Language: Applicants are required to have an end-of-primary school level of understanding of Maltese and English

Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate, including knowing how to access the internet and use a word processor