PFI Courses – Page 6 – Pastoral Formation Institute

Introduction to Basic Themes in Liturgy for Daughters of the Sacred Heart

31/01/2025 DSH Convent, Ħamrun

This course introduces participants to the sacred liturgy, the source and summit of the Church’s life. It begins with a fundamental exploration of liturgy, followed by an overview of the liturgical year. The course then examines the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and its profound significance. Finally, it explores the practical application of living the liturgy in daily life, fostering a deeper connection between faith and practice.

Daughters of the Sacred Heart novices and postulants

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 9:30am – 10:30am

Date	Session
23rd April 2025	What is the Liturgy?
30th April 2025	The Liturgical Year 1
7th May 2025	The Liturgical Year 2
14th May 2025	Walk-through of the Mass
21st May 2025	Living the Mass

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must 80% of course contact hours.

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend 80% of course contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend 80% of course contact hours;
successfully complete a written assignment

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.

Il-Lingwaġġ Simboliku fil-Quddiesa – Parroċċa Burmarrad

30/01/2025 Parroċċa Burmarrad

Il-Papa Franġisku, aktar minn darba tkellem fuq il-ħtieġa tal-bniedem tal-lum li jifforma ruħu għall-għarfien simboliku. Dan mhux meħtieġ tant biex in-Nisrani jifhem b’mod razzjonali t-tifsira tas-simboli jew ikollu għarfien tat-twemmin tal-Knisja, imma biex iħalli l-ġrajja simbolika ssir f’ħajtu esperjenza vitali. Sabiex il-bniedem jerġa’ jiskopri lilu nnifsu f’relazzjoni ma’ Alla-Trinità jeħtieġlu jerġa’ jitgħallem il-lingwaġġ simboliku li Alla nnifsu għażel li juża biex jirrivela lilu nnifsu lid-dinja.

L-għan ta’ dawn is-sessjonijiet huwa li nifhmu kif iċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-Quddiesa, permezz tal-lingwaġġ tas-simboli, tifforma l-umanità tagħna u tressaqna lejn Alla bħala komunità li temmen bl-istess mod kif l-Insara tal-ewwel sekli kienu ffurmati permezz tal-katekeżi mistagoġika biex jidħlu fil-Misteru ta’ Kristu.

Parruċċani ta’ Burmarrad u Parroċċi tal-viċin

Target Audience Age: 16+

Kull nhar ta’ Tnejn mis-7:30pm sad-8:45pm fiċ-Ċentru Parrokkjali, Burmarrad

Data	Tema/i
28 ta’ April 2025	Introduzzjoni – X’inhu simbolu?
5 ta’ Mejju 2025	Is-sensi – Ġisem li Jiċċelebra
12 ta’ Mejju 2025	Kliem, Kant u Silenzju – Tifsira ta’ Siltiet mir-Rit tal-Quddiesa
19 ta’ Mejju 2025	It-Tmien Jum – L-Ewkaristija tal-Ħadd

Dan il-kors għandu żewġ tipi ta’ ċertifikati:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu 80% tas-sessjonijiet tal-kors.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Kisba

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Kisba, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu 80% tas-sessjonijiet tal-kors u jagħmlu assignment.

Lingwa: L-applikanti għandhom ikollom fehma tal-Malti u jkunu fluwenti fl-Ingliż.

Teknoloġija diġitali: L-applikanti huma meħtieġa li jkunu fluwenti fl-użu tad-dinja diġitali, inkluż li jkunu jafu kif jaċċessaw l-internet u jużaw office suites bħal Microsoft Word.

Emotional Support In The Community: Basic Skills for Diakonia Pastoral Workers

30/01/2025 Marsaskala Parish Hall

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.

Diakonia pastoral workers

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 6:15pm to 8:15pm

Date	Session
28th April 2025	Learning how to listen, contain and validate feelings
5th May 2025	Learning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundaries
12th May 2025	Learning how to support others emotionally as a pastoral worker/non-professional
19th May 2025	How to support others spiritually as a pastoral worker/non-professional
26th May 2025	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 80% of course contact hours.

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend 80% of course contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

attend 80% of course 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.

Getting to Know Bible as a Parent for Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Zone

28/01/2025

This toolkit for parents consists of a series of pre-recorded sessions designed to assist parents whose children are attending catechism classes. It helps them to better understand the Bible, grasp basic themes related to the Holy Scriptures, learn how to pray, and pass on the faith with the help of the Bible, while also exploring the central role of the Word of God in the Church’s liturgy. Participants will also be provided with suggestions for additional resources.

Parents/guardians whose children are attending catechism classes at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Zone

Target Audience Age: 18+

This toolkit consists of four (4) pre-recorded lectures that can be watched on the Moodle platform at a time and pace of your choosing. After viewing the pre-recorded lectures, a practical seminar will take place.

Date and Time	Session	Mode of Delivery	Venue
–	Introduction – What is the Bible?	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	Transmitting the Faith as a Parent	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	How to Pray Using the Bible with Your Children	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	The Central Place of Holy Scripture in the Liturgy	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–

Introduction to the Ministry of the Word for Attard Parish

08/01/2025

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 Attard parish

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Date and Time	Session	Mode of Delivery	Venue
–	Introduction to the Holy Scriptures	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	Isaiah 55, 10-11	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	The Bible as a means of Prayer	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	Public speaking skills	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
24th February 2025 6:30pm – 8:30pm	Seminar – The Centrality of the Word of God in the Liturgy	In-person	Attard Parish Centre

If you are not conversant with the use of computers, Attard Parish will hold in-person sessions to watch the pre-recorded videos together as per below schedule. Kindly indicate this in the delivery preference section of the application form below.

Date and Time	Session	Mode of Delivery	Venue
29th January 2025 7:00pm – 8:15pm	Introduction to the Holy Scriptures	Watch pre-recorded lecture in-person	Attard Parish Centre
5th February 2025 7:00pm – 8:15pm	Isaiah 55, 10-11	Watch pre-recorded lecture in-person	Attard Parish Centre
19th February 2025 7:00pm – 8:15pm	The Bible as a means of Prayer Public speaking skills	Watch pre-recorded lecture in-person	Attard Parish Centre
24th February 2025 6:30pm – 8:30pm	Seminar – The Centrality of the Word of God in the Liturgy	In-person	Attard Parish Centre

Getting to Know Bible as a Parent for Attard Parish

08/01/2025

Attard parents whose children are attending catechism classes

Target Audience Age: 18+

Date and Time	Session	Mode of Delivery	Venue
–	Introduction – What is the Bible?	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	Transmitting the Faith as a Parent	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	How to Pray Using the Bible with Your Children	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–
–	The Central Place of Holy Scripture in the Liturgy	Pre-Recorded Lecture	–

The Sacrament of Baptism for Attard Parish

08/01/2025

This course is aimed at parents who choose to baptize their child. They will be invited to follow this course from the comfort of their home. Firstly, they will learn about the theology of baptism and what baptism entails. They will then proceed to go through the rite of baptism, understanding its various moments so that during the celebration, they will have a deeper understanding of the process. Finally, these parents will be given suggestions on how to live out the baptismal promises within their family.

New parents of Attard Parish

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered online through a series of recorded videos accessible on our VLE platform.

Session	Theme
Session 1	The Theology of Baptism – What is Baptism?
Session 2	The Rite of Baptism
Session 3	Living out the promises of Baptism

This course has one exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when watching all recorded lectures available on VLE platform.

Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

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

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate, especially on how to access the internet and use office suites.

Il-Ġublew – Pellegrini tat-Tama għall-Parroċċa ta’ Ħal Qormi – San Bastjan

02/12/2024 Ċentru Parrokkjali tal-Parroċċa ta' Ħal Qormi - San Bastjan

L-għan ta’ dan il-kors hu li jakkumpanja il-partiċipanti sabiex jippreparaw irwieħhom għall-Ġublew tat-Tama li ser isir fl-2025. Il-parteċipanti ser jesploraw l-għeruq bibbliċi tal-kliem ‘ġublew’, ‘tama’ u ‘pellegrinaġġ’. Ser jesploraw ukoll it-tagħlim tal-Papa Benedittu XVI u l-Papa Franġisku fuq it-Tama. Fl-aħħar, ser jaraw flimkien kif dan il-ġublew jista’ jiġi applikat fil-kuntest kontemporanju u fil-missjoni wiesgħa tal-Knisja.

Parruċċani tal-Parroċċa ta’ Ħal Qormi – San Bastjan

Eta tal-udjenza fil-mira: 18+

Dan il-kors ser isir kull nhar ta’ Tnejn bejn is-6:30pm – 7:15pm kif stipulat hawn taħt:

Date	Session
13 ta’ Jannar 2025	Introduzzjoni – Il-Ġublew fil-Kotba Mqaddsa
27 ta’ Jannar 2025	Il-Pellegrinaġġ fil-Kotba Mqaddsa
3 ta’ Frar 2025	It-Tama fit-Testment il-Qadim
17 ta’ Frar 2025	It-Tama fit-Testment il-Ġdid u fl-Ewwel Komunitajiet Insara
24 ta’ Frar 2025	It-Tama fil-kitba tal-Papiet
3 ta’ Marzu 2025	Il-Ġublew u aħna – X’ser nagħmlu?

Dan il-kors għandu żewġ tipi ta’ ċertifikati:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

Sabiex tikseb Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu 80% tas-sessjonijiet tal-kors.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex tikseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu 80% tas-sessjonijiet u jagħmlu eżami multiple-choice qasir online.

Lingwa: L-applikanti għandhom ikunu fluwenti fil-Malti u jkollom fehma tal-Ingliż.

Introduction to AI in Pastoral Settings: Tools and Practices for Priests

27/11/2024

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.

Priests
Religious

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Thursdays from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Date	Session
11th September 2025	What is AI? What is the Church’s position on AI?
18th September 2025	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 Fondazzjoni Sebħ Staff – July 2025

30/10/2024 Fondazzjoni Sebħ Premises, Ħamrun

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 is designed for employees and volunteers who work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, or who handle their data. Participants will gain an understanding of the key principles of safeguarding and develop skills to create and maintain a safe environment for all individuals in their care.

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

Familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
Understand legal obligations concerning child abuse
Identify signs and symptoms of abuse
Understand disclosures of abuse
Identify core principles of safeguarding
Practise professional boundaries effectively
Know their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
Recognise different types of abuse and poor practices
Learn a standard response to disclosures of abuse
Recognise signs of abuse
Identify appropriate actions to take when concerned and understand who to approach for support

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Fondazzjoni Sebħ employees who work with children and vulnerable adults and handle their data.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
PFE/SCA4-23	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.

July/ August 2025

Lecturing Period

Mode of Delivery	Date & Time	Venue
In-person	4th July 2025 from 9:30am to 12:30pm	Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Ħamrun
Recorded Material	5th – 19th July 2025	Recorded videos on the VLE platform

Assessment Period:

Assessment	Available From	Due by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam	5th July 2025	19th July 2025
Reflective Journal	5th July 2025	4th August 2025

This course has three exit certificate options:

Certificate of Attendance

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

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

Certificate of Participation

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

Certificate of Achievement

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

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

Click here to view the PFI’s Grading System

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

EQF/MQF Level: Level 4

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Total ECTS: 1 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.