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Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

17/02/2024
Safeguarding Others
MQF

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 will assist employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults or handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The intended learning outcomes:

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

  1. familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. understand the legal obligations with child abuse
  3. identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. know the disclosures of abuse
  5. identify the principles of safeguarding
  6. practice professional boundaries
  7. know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
  9. learn a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
  10. be able to recognise signs of abuse
  11. identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 33%  discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

  • Employees who work with children and vulnerable adults
  • Employees who handle children and vulnerable adults` data
  • Volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults
  • Volunteers who handle children and vulnerable adults` data.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
SGC4001Blended Learning1 ECTS

The course is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:

  1. 3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
  2. 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.

February 2024
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-person17th February 2024Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
Recorded Material17th – 26th February 2024Recorded Videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam26th February 2024Monday 4th March 2024
Reflective Journal26th February 2024Monday 26th March 2024

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. 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.
  1. 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)

  1. 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: 2 ECTS

Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

MQF

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.

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.

The Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope

25/10/2023
Jubilee - Pilgrims of Hope

As the Church prepares for the Ordinary Jubilee to be held in 2025 – Pilgrims in Hope, the attendee will get to know better the meaning of the words: jubilee, hope and pilgrimage starting from their biblical foundations. We will also delve into some of the Popes’ teaching on hope. Then we will have a session applying the Jubilee for us today and how it relates to the Church’s mission of Evangelisation.

Dates will be announced soon.

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023
Introduction to Diakonia

This 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 whilst delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Participants will also 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 following topics will be explored:

  1. Biblical meaning of the word Diakonia and the word in the Old Testament;
  2. Djakonija in the New Testament with special reference to Acts;
  3. Djakonija in the first communities – the link between kerygma, koinonia, diakonia and liturgia;
  4. Personal prayer life leads me to Diakonia;
  5. 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.”;
  6. Evangelisation, djakonija and the digital age;
  7. Malta’s reality has changed – what are today’s sociological ‘pains’?;
  8. The Preferential Option for the Poor & the four pillars of Catholic social teaching; human dignity common good, subsidiarity and solidarity;
  9. How the Church in Malta was a pioneer in the Diakonia sector;
  10. 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 Participation

will be awarded to students that pass from short multiple-choice exam on each topic.

Certificate of Achievement

will be awarded to students that pass from short multiple-choice exam on each topic and pass from written assessment.

Qualifications

The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.

Language Competence

A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital Competence

Ability to access the internet and use a word processor is required.

Every application will be considered on its individual merits and evaluated on the basis of academic potential.

CPD for Diakonia Pastoral Workers (2023/24)

17/10/2023   TBA

This course aims to assist individuals engaged in the Diakonia sector of a parish in connecting their work to their spiritual journey. Participants will also gain fundamental skills in addressing mental health issues and familiarize themselves with the latest guidelines provided for pastoral workers involved in the Diakonia ministry.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 100%  discount on this course. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

  • Pastoral operators, staff, or volunteers who work in the Diakonia ministry
  • People interested in this ministry

Target Audience Age: 18+

Please Note: Following this course does not entitle the student to become automatically a pastoral worker involved in Diakonia in any given parish. Pastoral workers involved in Diakonia are chosen by the pastor of the parish/community. 

DateSession TitleMode of Delivery
17th OctoberIntroductionRecorded Video
November 2023- January 2024The poor and social justice in relation to our spiritual life  Recorded Videos
30th January 2024In-person seminar 18:00 – 20:00
February – April 2024Understanding basic mental health issuesRecorded Videos
30th April 2024In-person seminar18:00 – 20:00
May – June 2024New Guidelines for Pastoral WorkersRecorded Videos
18th June 2024In-person seminar 18:00 – 20:00
Duration:  9 hours
Certification:  

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend all the course contact hours. 

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate, including knowing how to access the internet.

Emotional Support In The Community: Basic Skills

09/10/2023   Ta` Mlit, Mosta

The aim of this course is to empower persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector, such as pastoral workers; volunteers; and other persons interested in improving their relationships, with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed whilst interacting with parishioners or other persons. This course introduces pastoral workers or volunteers to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through studying and discussing these methods, students become more aware of the tools which help them in their work with different people who come from various cultural and social backgrounds. The course aims to create an opportunity to reflect on the methods they use during their work and relationships and evaluate their work.

Learning Outcomes:

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

  • understand the basic helping theories and skills;
  • know how to listen and respond appropriately;
  • be able to support the person emotionally and spiritually;
  • know when to refer a person 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

Persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector. Namely:

  • Persons who listen and accompany colleagues and friends on a regular basis at their workplace, within their family, etc…
  • Pastoral workers, volunteers or those who come in contact with persons, families in need, or visit residential homes.  
  • Persons who are interested in developing their relationships. 

Target Audience Age: 18+

In this session participants will explore helping skills used during pastoral work, including listening to people, supporting, and validating feelings.

The learning outcomes of this session are:
  • to learn how to be present with people physically, emotionally, and mentally.
  • to learn how to help a person feel accepted, understood and not judged.

In this session, the important skill of being empathic when helping people will be discussed. There will be the opportunity to practice this skill during the session. At the same time, the practice of maintaining boundaries will be thoroughly discussed, as having clear and established limits in our work contribute to safe connections.

The learning outcomes of this session are:
  • to become aware of the importance of empathy;
  • to be able to practice ways of empathic communication;
  • to be able to practice self-care through having healthy boundaries.

In this session, the student will become more self-aware; the individual is encouraged to reflect and be aware of his/her strengths, challenges, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

 The outcomes of this session are:

  • to be able to engage in reflective practice;
  • to be able to identify one’s strengths and challenges;
  • to be able to bring about changes in the attitudes and ways of working.

In this session, students will be invited to look at their own spiritual life and become aware of how this is manifested and expressed in their personal lives and within the community. It will also investigate cultural varieties and other religious denominations and/or spiritual practices and trends within the parish, and how these influence individual as well as community/parish life, and vice versa. This session will also touch on the notion of spiritual accompaniment and religious practices, how they differ, and how they can complement each other.

The outcomes of this session are:
  • to gain a better understanding of the spirituality as lived in the community;
  • to gain awareness by reflecting on one’s own spiritual lives and discourse and how these can influence the community they are part of;
  • to gain an understanding of the notion of spiritual accompaniment and how this can be put into practice.

In this session, the student will become aware of when s/he should refer a person to professional help, why confidentiality is important when working in a pastoral context and what are the limits to confidentiality.

The outcomes of this session are:
  • to learn and be able to differentiate amongst various helping professionals and services available;
  • to be able to guide and link people to further specialised help when required.

 

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 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
DateLecture TitleLecturer
9th OctoberLearning how to listen, contain and validate feelings Mr Joseph Pellicano
16th OctoberLearning how to empathise while keeping healthy boundariesMr Joseph Pellicano
23rd OctoberLearning how to support others emotionallyMr Joseph Pellicano
30th OctoberHow to support others spirituallyMs Marisa Gatt
6th NovemberLearning when, where and how to refer someone to professional helpMr Joseph Pellicano
Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. 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;

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: Self Awareness and Self Care

06/10/2023   Ta` Mlit, Mosta
self-awareness and self-care

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
DateLecture 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.

Seminar: Safeguarding – Adults Working with Minors

01/10/2023   Ta' Mlit Pastoral Centre
Safeguarding Minors

This full-day seminar will assist all those who work with children and handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children. Throughout the seminar, participants will:

  • Obtain more awareness on the subject of safeguarding.
  • Gain knowledge on how to create healthier environments, especially with minors.
  • Be able to promote healthier relationships in pastoral work.
  • Discuss and draw concrete solutions to preventing abuse.

If you are a registered pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Malta, you can benefit from a 25%  discount on this seminar. The course fee includes lunch. Start your application process as a pastoral worker on parrocci.knisja.mt/pfi

Adults working with minors, especially:

  • Individuals who assist in children’s mass/liturgy
  • Individuals involved in leadership of altar boy groups
  • Individuals involved in the leadership of parish commission for children
  • Individuals involved in the leadership of children’s choir
  • Individuals involved in catechism
Date & TimeSession Title
Saturday 18th November 2023 8:30 am – 2:30 pmSession 1: Introduction to Safeguarding
Session 2: Health Relationships and Safe Boundaries
Session 3: Way Forward

This seminar has three exit certificate options: 

Certificate of Attendance

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

  • attended all contact hours

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to students who have:

  • attended all contact hours
  • and successfully completed short multiple-choice exam

Certificate of Achievement 

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who have:

  • attended all contact hours
  • successfully completed short multiple choice exam
  • and submit a written assessment

Qualifications

The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.

Language Skills

Primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital Skills

Ability to use the internet and use a word processor is required.

Every application will be considered on its individual merits and evaluated on the basis of academic potential.

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
DateLecture Title
21st AugustRecognising the Value of Strong Emotional Bonds with Customers
28th AugustLearning how to listen, contain, and validate customers’ feelings.
4th SeptemberHow to Demonstrate Empathy while Listening to Customers
11th SeptemberLearning to maintain healthy boundaries while remaining emotionally connected to customers.
18th SeptemberKnowing when, where, and how to refer someone to a professional.
Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. 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

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.

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

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

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 
  1. Christian theology on God’s revelation in the Eucharist.  
  2. The communitarian dimension of the Eucharist.  
  3. Eucharistic miracles around the world.  
  4. Re-actualisation – understanding the past, present and future dimensions of the sacraments.  
  5. Terminology for the Blessed Sacrament.  
Part 2: The Biblical Foundations of the Eucharist
  1. The scriptural perspective of the Church’s teachings on the Eucharist. 
  2. The foreshadowing of the Eucharist in the Old Testament. 
  3. The Last Supper narratives. 
  4. The testimony of St Paul on the Eucharist. 
  5. Exegesis. 
 
Part 3: The Eucharist in Daily Life 
  1. The role of the extraordinary minister at mass and at home. 
  2. The effects of the Eucharist on the community. 
  3. Cultivating my relationship with God through the Eucharist. 
  4. Way of life of the extraordinary minister. 
  5. 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

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.

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