Archives

Introduction to Parish Ministry

25/10/2023
Introduction to Parish Ministry

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/.

“If the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be ‘the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”

Pope Francis.

Throughout this course, participants will explore the parish as a significant symbol of God’s presence in our community. The course will start by delving into the contemporary reality of today’s parish. Participants will then proceed to learn about the different roles within the Church; identifying the decision-making bodies of the Church and different ministries in a parish, highlighting the importance of everyone’s participation. This will include a discussion on effective teamwork and service to others. Attendees will then be introduced to the principles of communal discernment, examining its definition, tools, and practical applications. The course will conclude by presenting a model of communal discernment, elucidating the different roles within it, and outlining the composition of discerning groups.

Specifically tailored for those actively involved in parish ministry, the course seeks to inspire a deeper commitment to the renewal of parishes, aligning them as vibrant evangelizing entities in today’s society, guided by recent teachings on parish life.

  • Pastoral Workers, especially those involved in decision-making bodies.
  • Individuals interested in the subject

Target Audience Age: 19+

TBA

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum 80% of all
contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation
The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum 80% of all
contact hours for this course and passing from short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when:

  • attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours
  • passing short multiple-choice online exams and written assessment

Language: Applicants are required to have an understanding of Maltese and be fluent in English.
Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate especially, in office suites.

Introduction to Holy Communion

01/01/2023   Online

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/.

Course Description

The course Introduction to the Eucharist is designed to give the extraordinary minister formation and direction for distributing communion during masses and to be a guide to help him/her in taking communion to those who are unable to join the community in person. By the end of this course the student will: 

  • have a basic biblical and theological understanding of the teachings related to the Eucharist.   
  • know the language in which liturgical worship is explicit. 
  • learn most matters concerning the rite of Communion.  
  • learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion. 
  • acquire a deeper knowledge of the role of the extraordinary minister. 
  • grasp the spiritual meaning that this role entails

Intended For

  • Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who provide a service during church masses, in residential elderly homes or homebound sick persons.   
  • Those who wish to learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion. 
  • Those who are starting their service as extraordinary ministers. 

Please Note: Doing this course does not entitle the student to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers are chosen by the pastor of the parish/community. 

Curriculum

Part 1: God With Us – Dogmatic Theology 
  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