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Sport and Community Building

  Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sport and Community Building is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

The local community is central to God’s work. This module will explore and identify ways in which different groups in the local community can make stronger and healthier communities across generations. It illustrates the various ways in which sports has been serving in building God’s Kingdom. Learners will be able to learn sport-related skills and language to teach the values and apply learnt knowledge to their particular setting. Learners will also be able to organise and create sport camps and festivals according to their specific context, looking also at the practical aspect of such organisation

  • Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,  
  • Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,  
  • School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality). 

Target Audience Age: 18+

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE5004– Weekly Lectures
– Practicum
2 ECTS


Lecturers: 
Sr Rachel Camilleri ASGM

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
Part 1: Theory
DatesDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays16.05.2024 – 13.06.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana
Part 2: Practicum

Over the summer period, participants are asked to partake in 10 hours of practicum. Participants can choose to either take part in a Summer Camp or organise an activity in a youth group they are a member of. More information about this part of the course will be given to applicants during the course.

Assessment: Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60

Assessment Explanation:  These will take into consideration these key criteria: activity content and design of the event, implementation and evaluation of an activity. 

Participants are expected to devise and put into practice the planned activity with a concluding evaluative report. The content and practice have to reflect in practice the principles learnt during the module. 

For this Assignment or Activity, participants are to take into consideration one of the following cohorts: young (4 to 10 years), adolescents (11-15 years), youth (16 – 30 years) and adults (31+). 


Duration: 5 sessions part-time including:

  • Contact hours – 10 hours
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 10 hours
  • Self-Study Hours – 20 hours
  • Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching 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 Sports and Commmunity Building is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

Applicants must be in possession of:

  • Proficient in English  
  • Minimum Level: O level or equivalent 
  • Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport 
  • Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct. 

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.

Values in Sports Ministry

  Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Values in Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

The aim of this module is for participants to learn about the true values of sports and the inter-relationship with Christian/Biblical values.  

Learn how to experientially transmit the true values of sports through the different myriad of sports/play activities. This will be applied in a way to address the specific age groups that form our parishes, communities and educational institutions, through the integration of Christian/Biblical teachings.  

To understand that the value-based programmes can also be extended to mainstream coaching and to influence secular spheres within our communities. 

  • Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,  
  • Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,  
  • School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality). 

Target Audience Age: 18+

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
ASM5003Weekly Lectures2 ECTS

Lecturers: Mr David Azzopardi & Mr Karl Cortis

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
DatesDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays07.03.2024 – 25.04.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana

Easter Recess between 25th March and 7th April 2024

Assessment: Written Assessment

Duration: 7 sessions part-time including:

  • Contact hours – 14 hours
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 0 hours
  • Self-Study Hours – 26 hours
  • Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Award

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching 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 Values in Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

Applicants must be in possession of:

  • Proficient in English  
  • Minimum Level: O level or equivalent 
  • Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport 
  • Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct. 

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.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

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

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.

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.

Sports as a Means for Holistic Development

  Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sports as a Means for Holistic Development is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

This module aims to reveal the natural values that are inherent in play/sports and how these values serve one’s personal development. The aim is to help Christians learn how to integrate their lives (especially in relation to sports) in a way that their core Christian values are lived out authentically and to the full.

  • Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,  
  • Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,  
  • School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality). 

Target Audience Age: 18+

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE5002– Practicum sessions
– Weekly Lectures
2 ECTS

Lecturers:  Rev Bernard Micallef

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
SessionDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays18.01.2024 – 29.02.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana

Assessment: Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60%

Assessment Explanation: To engage with a Christian-based organisation and devise either a plan of how a specific sports-based programme could be set up in their respective organisation or focus on one specific event/activity that can be held within the remit of the organisation. Eg. Lenten sessions using sports etc. 


Final Award: Award in Sports Ministry

Duration: 7 lectures, part-time including:

  • Contact hours – 10 hours
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 7 hours
  • Self-Study Hours – 23 hours
  • Assessment Hours – 10 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and successfully pass the assignment

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Award

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching 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 Introduction to Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5.

Applicants must be in possession of:

  • Proficient in English  
  • Minimum Level: O level or equivalent 
  • Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport 
  • Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct. 

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.

Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

  The Archbishop`s Curia
Pastoral Care in Schools - team work
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 6, as a Higher Education Programme.

Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools is being considered a bridge between faith(s) and culture(s) in the contemporary context. People involved in this mission are to be well prepared in order to be effective instruments of sharing the joy of the Gospel and Gospel values within schools in the current pluralistic society.

Course Aim:

This course gives participants the knowledge and practical skills needed to enhance effective Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools. The course assists participants to build a range of skills necessary for this ministry: reflective, analytical, critical and synthetic, leadership, collaborative, interpersonal, listening, planning, and implementation.

This course is open to all people involved in the educational sector or with an expressed interest to work in this area.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
THM6017In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

In this module, participants will be introduced to the concept of Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in schools and prepare them for this mission. Participants will get the opportunity to discuss and learn how pastoral care/ chaplaincy can be a means to facilitate dialogue between faith(s) and culture(s) in our contemporary pluralistic society. In this module, we will articulate how to nurture a wholesome attitude towards life, different religions and cultures, and the whole of creation, founded on Gospel values and the teachings of the Church. 

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
THM6019In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

This module offers the participants the opportunity to examine the richness and the challenges of a multicultural and multifaith environment within the school community in the context of Pastoral Theology. 

In the context of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy,  Pastoral Theology enables the people involved in this ministry to nurture in their life and in the life of the whole school community the truth that;

“[t]he nature of the reign of God is the communion of all human beings between themselves and with God  

( Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio)

This theme will be discussed through selected Scriptural texts and texts from the teachings of the Church and early Church Fathers.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
THM6018In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

By the end of this module, participants will be able to identify various ways of fostering a relationship with the Transcendent/God through different methods of Prayer. Participants will be able to become more familiar with : 

  • the meaning of spirituality,  
  • the spiritual development of the young (4-10 yrs.), youth (11-16yrs.), and adults (18+), keeping in mind contemporary culture/s.  
  • how to plan and conduct various spiritual encounters and activities with the young (4-10yrs), youth (11-16yrs) and adults (18+). 
CodeMode of DeliveryValue
THM6020In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

The aim of this module is to enable participants to build resources to design and enrich liturgical and religious celebrations/activities in schools through exploring and adapting artistic expressions, media, and IT resources in the context of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy. 

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
THM6021In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)5 ECTS

This module is divided into three parts; 

Part One: One-day seminar – This seminar will enable participants to relate various leadership models and collaboration strategies to Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools.  

Part Two:  Half-day spiritual retreat: where participants will have time to reflect on their own spiritual journey in the light of selected Biblical texts and spiritual literature.    

Part Three:  Online reading:  Four papers are going to be presented as online reading. These papers are related to all the modules and will enable participants to reflect on the different ways that Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy is expressed around the world. Participants will be asked to critically analyze and review these articles and use them to evaluate national experiences. 

 

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

Session Format

  • Twenty-eight lectures on Thursday between 15:30-17:45 (60 hours). This time period was specifically chosen to assist our participants in achieving a better family-work/study-balanced life.
  • One day-seminar on Saturday 16th December 2023, between 8:30 – 14:30 ( 6 hours )
  • Morning Retreat (5 hours)
  • Online learning (12 hours)

THM6021: Internalizing and Evaluating various perspectives of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools. – Part 1
DateTimeVenue
16th December8:30 – 14:30Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat

THM6017: Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools: Promoting Human Dignity and Gospel Values in Contemporary Cultures.

DateTimeVenue
11th, 18th, & 25th January15:30 – 17:45Catholic Institute
1st, 15th, 22nd, & 29th February15:30 – 17:45Catholic Institute
Carnival RecessThursday 8th – Tuesday 12th February 2024

THM6019: Nurturing Spirituality through Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in Schools
DateTimeVenue
7th, 14th, & 21st March15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
18th & 25th April15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
2nd May15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
Easter Recess: Monday 25th March – Sunday 7th April 2024

THM6018: Pastoral Theology in relation to Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy in Schools
DateTimeVenue
9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th May15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
6th, 13thy & 20th June15:30-17:45Catholic Institute

THM6020: Practical ways of Enriching Liturgical Celebrations and Religious Activities in Schools.
DateTimeVenue
26th September15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st October15:30-17:45Catholic Institute
7th November15:30-17:45Catholic Institute

THM6021: Internalizing and Evaluating various perspectives of Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Schools. Part 2
DateTimeVenue
22nd June8:30 – 12:30Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat

Assessment: Written assignments. Each assignment will be handed-in for every module

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Final Award: Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

EQF/MQF Level: Level 6

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 17 ECTS

Duration: 1 year part-time (84 hours)

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and Pass successfully the assignment

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 6, as a Higher Education Programme.

Funding
Students completing the Higher Education Award in Pastoral Care/ Chaplaincy in Schools can apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €245 will be refunded back for this course).

Every application will be considered on its individual merits* and includes:

  • Full qualification at MQF Level 4 (A Level / Intermediate) or equivalent
  • Proficient in English and/or Maltese language
  • Basic digital competencies (able to do research)
  • Expressed interest in Pastoral Care and/or chaplaincy in state or non-state schools.

*The applicant will be refunded if not eligible for the course.


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.

Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces

  Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Students who successfully complete this course may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

This course is designed to:

  • Equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills required to create and run a prayer space in a given setting.
  • Offer participants the opportunity to grow in their connectedness with their own self, with others, with the world, and with God through the prayer spaces experience.
  • Enable participants to accompany others and explore their faith, spirituality, and life’s essential questions in a safe, creative, and interactive way. 
  • Lead participants to understand better the shift from living merely to functioning, fulfilling demands and expectations to a more meaningful life.
  • Invite the participants to become aware that relationships are strengthened when one takes the time to appreciate and reflect upon them.

A prayer space can be set in various places. The setting can be a school, a youth centre, a parish hall, the workplace, an open-plan area, or an outdoor place.

  1. Define what a prayer space is;
  2. Identify different age groups of children and young people attending the prayer space;
  3. Communicate in different ways with children, young people, or adults according to their age, culture, and language during a prayer space;
  4. Identify suitable interested members of the staff/personnel who are willing to form a team to prepare and animate prayer spaces in their respective schools;
  5. Draw up a plan for planning, preparing, setting up, and running prayer spaces;
  6. Report what educators and students said after they have experienced prayer spaces for themselves;
  7. Evaluate what went well, identify difficulties and challenges in setting a prayer space;
  8. Understand that at the most basic level, prayer spaces give students a way to reflect and develop reflective thinking skills in terms of the four key relationships: the self, others, the world, and God;
  9. Make a connection between prayer spaces and other subjects
  1. Reflect personally on a prayer space;
  2. Plan a prayer space;
  3. Prepare for the setting of prayer spaces;
  4. Create simple and clear instruction cards, and prepare the resources related to the prayer space;
  5. Set up the physical prayer space in any given space and/or venue.
  6. Demonstrate a welcoming attitude to all children and young people of all faith and none who will be experiencing a prayer space;
  7. Lead the children and young people to the safe, hands-on, creative prayer space and, when necessary, animate the prayer spaces;
  8. Show a sense of accompaniment and being there for the person;
  9. Operate with other members of staff who wish to give a helping hand before, during, and after the setting of a prayer space activity;
  10. Recruit and train a prayer space team;
  11. Run a Prayer Space;
  12. Do a follow-up of a prayer spaces session.

This course is targeted at all those who wish to help children, young people, and adults grow in their prayer life, namely:

  • Educators,
  • Catechists,
  • Youth workers,
  • Youth leaders,
  • Youth ministers,
  • Religious counsellors,
  • Chaplains and lay chaplains,
  • Priests and religious.  

Target Audience Age: 18+

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
SPR5002In-Person (Face-to-Face Learning)2 ECTS
Rev. Paul Chetcuti SJ

The lecturer will introduce the concepts of prayer, spirituality, and religion. Participants will become aware of the superficial vs meaning-making, being, and the development of symbolic language. 

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture will follow about the values of prayer spaces, and participants will learn that prayer spaces are spiritual, reflective, inclusive, professional, and Christian.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. During the lecture about the purpose and theology of prayer spaces, participants will learn that prayer spaces help one reflect and develop reflective thinking skills; and see this in terms of four key relationships: the self, other people, the World, the sacred, and divine. They will also learn that God made everyone spiritual; God has a mission, welcomes, hears, cares, speaks, and acts.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about preparing for the setting of prayer spaces will follow. Participants will learn how to get started with prayer spaces.

Ms Silvana Cardona:

Prayer Spaces stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about creating prayer activities will follow. Participants will learn how to choose and create prayer activities directed to the self, others, the World, and God and create activities that are a mix of learning styles; writing, listening, looking, reading, and doing.

Rev. Reuben Gauci

Prayer space stations will be set up for participants to experience them for themselves. A lecture about how to recruit and train an excellent prayer space team will follow, and participants will learn to recruit people who are prayerful, inclusive, reflective, professional, and safe. Participants will also learn how to set a good prayer space and how it can be welcoming to anyone who wishes to visit. They learn how to gather feedback and write a report as a follow-up.

 

 Mode of Attendance: Part-Time

The course is delivered over 18 contact hours spread over six 3-hour sessions.

Lectures will be held from 17:00 – 20:00

DateSession Title
Tuesday21.11,2023Introduction to Prayer
Thursday 23.11.2023The Values of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday28.11.2023The Purpose of Prayer Spaces and Prayer Spaces Theology
Thursday30.11.2023Preparing for the setting of Prayer Spaces
Tuesday05.12.2023Creating Prayer Activities
Thursday07.12.2023Recruiting and training a prayer space team, running a Prayer Space and follow up

Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. 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 course multiple-choice online exam. 

3. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must: 

  • attend at least 80% of the course`s contact hours;  
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exam (40% of global assessment); 
  • and successfully complete an assignment of 500 – 800 words about the steps needed to plan, prepare, set up, and evaluate an actual prayer space, including photos or short videos (up to 3 mins).

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Funding
Students completing the Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

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.


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.

CPD – Formation Course on Liturgy For Catechists

  Refectory Hall, The Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana, & Ċentru Parrokkjali Santu r-Rokku, Valletta

While nurturing an understanding of the mystery of Christ, catechesis also assists in comprehending and experiencing liturgical celebrations. These formative sessions help catechists grasp the importance of liturgy in the Church’s life, introducing a deeper knowledge of sacraments and sacramental life, especially the Eucharist – the source and summit of Christian life. Moreover, this course aims to offer an interpretation of sacred rites in light of salvific events, in accordance with Church Tradition and provides an introduction to the meaning of liturgical signs. Participants, primarily catechists, will thus be better prepared to share the acquired knowledge within their own communities.

  • Catechists
  • Other persons interested in the subject, may also apply.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Session format

Lectures will be on Saturdays from 9:30am to 11:30am starting from 28th October 2023.

DateLecture Title
28/10/2023Introduction to Liturgy
18/11/2023The Liturgical Year
27/01/2024Baptism
24/02/2024The Sacrament of Confirmation
27/04/2024The Eucharist
25/05/2024The Practical Aspects Related To The Liturgical Celebration for Children
This course has two 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. 

Final Award: Formation Course on Liturgy For Catechists

Awarding Institute: Pastoral Formation Institute

Duration: 6 Saturdays

Qualifications

Each application will be evaluated based on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute welcomes a diverse array of qualifications, aiming to assess applications primarily in terms of academic potential. We consider a broad spectrum of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, alongside relevant work experiences and skills.

 

Award in Augustinian Spirituality for Educators

Augistinian Spirituality

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.

Award in Educators as helping Professionals: Fostering reflective and helping skills

This course will assist educators in improving their professional skills, increasing self-awareness as human beings and as professionals, and preserving relationships with students and colleagues while discovering new methods of self-care. Participants will work on strategies to rediscover new tactics to deal with their emotions and to hold the emotions of their students through lectures, discussions, and self-reflection. The teaching profession consists of ongoing, daily tasks during and after school hours, that can easily lead to teachers failing to reflect on their own profession.

Dates will be announced soon.

Award in Sports Ministry

  Catholic Institute, Floriana
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as Higher Education Programme.

This course is a foundation for Sports Ministry. Sports ministry, broadly defined, is any approach that uses sports to bring people closer to God, learning how to live their beliefs in the world of sports. Through sports and games, the Sports Minister evangelises and helps others to live a good Christian life. 

Thus this course provides a basis for persons who are already involved in 1) Sports, or 2) Christian Ministry or 3) An Educational Institution (or a combination of the three; and is interested in taking up the role of Sports Minister. It broadens the perspective of their present role and guides them to use it as a means of evangelisation. 

  • Youth leaders interested in Sports/Physical Activity,  
  • Sports persons (coaches, athletes, club admin. members) interested in Sports Ministry,  
  • School chaplains, PE teachers, and Teachers interested in both areas (sports & spirituality). 

Target Audience Age: 19-30 & 31-65  years old

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
ASM5001– 2 Half-Day Seminars
– Practicum Sessions
– 2 Lectures
2 ECTS

This module will serve as an introduction, presenting an overall description of what Sports Ministry is and its role in the Church and world today. For this reason, this module will present and explore the Global Movement, delve into the history of the interaction between religion and sport, especially in Christianity, and present Biblical and Church documents’ references to sports. This module will also present the basic values of Sports Ministry which will be further explored throughout the course.  

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
ASM5002– Practicum sessions
– Weekly Lectures
2 ECTS

This module aims to reveal the natural values that are inherent in play/sports and how these values serve one’s personal development. The aim is to help Christians learn how to integrate their lives (especially in relation to sports) in a way that their core Christian values are lived out authentically and to the full. 

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
ASM5003Weekly Lectures2 ECTS

The aim of this module is for participants to learn about the true values of sports and the inter-relationship with Christian/Biblical values.  

Learn how to experientially transmit the true values of sports through the different myriad of sports/play activities. This will be applied in a way to address the specific age groups that form our parishes, communities and educational institutions, through the integration of Christian/Biblical teachings.  

To understand that the value-based programmes can also be extended to mainstream coaching and to influence secular spheres within our communities. 

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
ASM5004– Weekly Lectures
– Practicum
2 ECTS

The local community is central to God’s work. This module will explore and identify ways in which different groups in the local community can make stronger and healthier communities across generations. It illustrates the various ways in which sports has been serving in building God’s Kingdom. Learners will be able to learn sport-related skills and language to teach the values and apply learnt knowledge to their particular setting. Learners will also be able to organise and create sport camps and festivals according to their specific context, looking also at the practical aspect of such organisation

Lecturers:  Rev Bernard Micallef

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
SessionDatesTimesVenue
Hal-Day Seminar21.10.202309:00 – 12:00Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat
Tuesday24.10.202318:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute Floriana
Tuesday31.10.202318:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute Floriana
Hal-Day Seminar04.11.202309:00 – 12:00Archbishop`s Seminary, Rabat

Lecturers: Mr Karl Cortis & Mr David Azzopardi

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
SessionDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays18.01.2024 – 29.02.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana

Lecturers: Mr David Azzopardi & Mr Karl Cortis

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
DatesDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays07.03.2024 – 25.04.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana

Easter Recess between 25th March and 7th April 2024

Lecturers: Sr Rachel Camilleri ASGM

Mode of Attendance: Part-Time
Part 1: Theory
DatesDatesTimesVenue
Thursdays16.05.2024 – 13.06.202418:00 – 20:00Catholic Institute, Floriana
Part 2: Practicum

Over the summer period, participants are asked to partake in 10 hours of practicum. Participants can choose to either take part in a Summer Camp or organise an activity in a youth group they are a member of. More information about this part of the course will be given to applicants during the course.

A mix of assessment methods will be employed to allow for different learning styles. They include:

Assessment: 

  • Module 1: Written Assessment
  • Module 2:  Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60%

Assessment Explanation: To engage with a Christian-based organisation and devise either a plan of how a specific sports-based programme could be set up in their respective organisation or focus on one specific event/activity that can be held within the remit of the organisation. Eg. Lenten sessions using sports etc. 

  • Modules 3: Written Assessment
  • Module 4:  Activity Observation 40% & Written Activity Report 60%

Module 4 Assessment Explanation:  These will take into consideration these key criteria: activity content and design of the event, implementation and evaluation of an activity. 

Participants are expected to devise and put into practice the planned activity with a concluding evaluative report. The content and practice have to reflect in practice the principles learnt during the module. 

For this Assignment or Activity, participants are to take into consideration one of the following cohorts: young (4 to 10 years), adolescents (11-15 years), youth (16 – 30 years) and adults (31+). 


Final Award: Award in Sports Ministry

Duration: 1 years part-time including:

  • Contact hours – 48 hours
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours – 17 hours
  • Self-Study Hours – 95 hours
  • Assessment Hours – 40 hours

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 80% of each module and Pass successfully the assignment

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 8 ECTS

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Teaching 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 Sports Ministry is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as Higher Education Programme.

Applicants must be in possession of:

  • Proficient in English  
  • Minimum Level: O level or equivalent 
  • Expressed interest in Evangelisation and Sport 
  • Participants must present POMA certification and clean police conduct. 

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.