Children & Youth – Page 2 – 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 Catechetical Ministry for Children

21/10/2023

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 blended course is designed to form and support catechists who seek to deepen their understanding of the fundamental tenets of the Catholic Faith in preparation for their service towards their parish. By the end of the course, participants will be familiar with the core theological concepts that underpin catechetical ministry and will be equipped with essential practical skills for effective service in this ministry.

Catechists who teach children and adolescents.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

This module provides a basic introduction to Christian theology. Participants will explore fundamental scriptural, dogmatic, ecclesiological, and ethical theological concepts that guide the evangelising mission of the Church. By the end of the module, learners will be familiar with the sources of theology and will gain a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.

This module will be offered entirely online, allowing you to complete it at your own pace and on your own schedule.

This module can be applied for and completed on its own. If you wish to take this module separately from Introduction to Catechetical Ministry, please apply here: https://pfi.edu.mt/course/faith-foundation/.

Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will enable participants to construct a holistic vision of catechetical ministry, one that responds to contemporary needs, through the exploration of various areas of knowledge and skills essential for the formation of catechetical ministers. These areas include the theoretical and practical aspects of basic catechetical principles, catechetical methodology including lesson planning, exploration of relevant social sciences, and addressing the needs of children with diverse social and/or psychological needs.

This module will be offered entirely online, allowing you to complete it at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Module 3 – Catechetical Ministry for Children

These sessions will be held from 9:30am – 12:00pm

These sessions will be held at Archbishops’ Curia, Floriana

Date	Session
1st February 2025	Getting to Know Who We Are Accompanying
8th March 2025	Catechesis in The Digital Era: Practical Aspects
12th April 2025	Sacred Scripture
10th May 2025	The Moral and Social Teaching of the Church

Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This module delves into the essential principles of safeguarding, focusing on creating safe environments for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. By the module’s conclusion, students will be well-versed in safeguarding policies, understand the core principles underlying safeguarding, and recognize various types of abuse along with their signs and symptoms. They will also learn how to handle disclosures of abuse, maintain professional boundaries, identify poor practices, and comprehend their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019).

This module will be offered in-person from February 2025.

This course has two exit certificate options:

Certificate of Participation

attend all in-person seminars;
pass short multiple-choice online exams, where applicable

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, where applicable
and successfully complete a written assignment, where applicable

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.

(MT) Emotional Support In The Community: Basic Skills for Pastoral Workers

09/10/2023

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 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.

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

Date	Session
7th October 2024	Learning how to listen, contain and validate feelings
14th October 2024	Learning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundaries
21st October 2024	Learning how to support others emotionally as a pastoral worker/non-professional
28th October 2024	How to support others spiritually as a pastoral worker/non-professional
4th November 2024	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.

(EN) Emotional Support: Self Awareness and Self Care

06/10/2023

This course will be offered in English. A version in Maltese will be available at a later stage in the academic year.

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 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.

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

This course will be offered in English. A version in Maltese will be available at a later stage in the academic year.

Date	Session
13th January 2024	Understanding self-awareness
20th January 2024	Discussing transference and countertransference
27th January 2024	Understanding that reflective practice is an important tool in our work
3rd February 2024	Understanding mental health and supporting people with mental health issues
17th February 2024	Working with people who are depressed or anxious while dealing with trauma
24th February 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.