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Ħarbex

Dan il-kors hu eliġibbli għall-iskema Get Formed! Din l-iskema trodd lura 70% tal-ispejjeż tal-kors lill-istudent ladarba jlesti l-kors. Għal iktar informazzjoni, żur: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

Jekk qatt pruvajt tħarbex żewġ akkordji, xi melodija, jew xi biċċa lirika bil-Malti, dan huwa l-kors għalik!

Ħarbex huwa kors ta’ 3 workshops li l-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azopardi qed torganizza b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Pastoral Formation Institute u l-Malta Catholic Youth Network (MCYN) għal żgħażagħ bejn 18-35 sena u individwi li huma involuti f’pastorali maż-żgħażagħ.

L-għan tal-kors hu li jservi ta’ gwida u ispirazzjoni sabiex tħaddem il-ħiliet mużikali u litterali li diġà hemm fik biex jinkitbu għanjiet ġodda għat-talba tal-quddies. Se jkollna magħna għadd ta’ saċerdoti u lajċi li se jaqsmu magħna riżorsi u testimonjanzi li se jħeġġuna nifhmu l-attitudni tagħna fid-diversi mumenti li ngħixu f’din it-talba. Flimkien se jkollna mumenti li fihom se nkunu qed nerfgħu qlubna ‘l fuq, kif aħna mistiedna nagħmlu f’kull quddies.

Ħinijiet ta’ inkontri ma’ xulxin mhumiex se jkunu neqsin, u xejn inqas ħinijiet allokati biex nibdew inħarbxu xi ħaġa wkoll, kemm b’mod individwali, kif ukoll ma’ ħaddieħor. Għandna xewqa kbira li, flimkien magħkom, nixegħlu mqar fjamma t’interess u ta’ bidu.

Żgħażagħ bejn 18 – 35 sena u individwi li huma involuti f’pastorali maż-żgħażagħ.

DataSessjoni
TBASeminar 1
TBASeminar 2
TBASeminar 3

Dan il-kors għandu tip ta’ ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu s-seminars kollha organizzati.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Kisba

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Kisba, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu s-seminars kollha organizzati u jippreżentaw mużika u/jew lirika ġdida.

Dan il-kors qed jiġu provdut mill-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi f’kollaborazzjoni tal-Istitut tal-Formazzjoni Pastorali.

L-applikanti għandhom ikollom bażi tajba tal-lingwa Maltija u ta’ teknika awdjo-viżiva.

 

Liturgical Singing for Priests

This course is intended to offer practical aides and musical preparation to deacons and priests of the Roman Catholic Church (latin rite) for better singing during the liturgy.

Deacons and Priests

Target Audience Age: 18+

DateLecture Title
TBASinging in the Liturgy
TBAMass Repertoire and the Liturgy of the Hours 1
TBAMass Repertoire and the Liturgy of the Hours 2
TBAGregorian Chant and the Singing of Psalms
TBABasic Gregorian Repertoire 1
TBABasic Gregorian Repertoire 2

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, as well as after passing a short practical examination.

This course is delivered by the Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute.

To be eligible for this course applicants must either be deacons or priests including seminarians in their final formation years of the Roman Catholic Church (latin rite). They must also be proficient in both Maltese and English.

 

CPD for Diakonia Pastoral Workers (2024/25)

  TBA

This course is designed for those serving in the Diakonia sector of a parish, helping participants connect their ministry with their spiritual journey. It offers a deeper exploration of the concept of ‘peripheries’ in today’s society, as emphasized in the teachings of Pope Francis. Participants will also gain foundational skills for addressing mental health issues, enriched by real-life experiences that showcase the impactful work already being done in this field.

  • 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
15th October 2024IntroductionRecorded Video
October – December 2024The ‘peripheries’Recorded Videos
January 2025In-person seminar TBA
February – April 2025Delving Deeper in Mental Health IssuesRecorded Videos
April 2025 – May 2025Diakonia in our Parishes – Real ExperiencesRecorded Videos
May 2025In-person seminarTBA
This course has two exit certificate options: 
  1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend all contact hours and pass from short multiple-choice online exam.

Teaching Institution/s: Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with Diakonia Commission

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.

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

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

Foundations of Spiritual Discernment

Inspired by Pope Francis and his profound connection to Ignatian spirituality, this course provides an introduction to the essential practice of spiritual discernment. Recognizing the significant role of discernment in the life of the Church and in personal spiritual journeys, this course is designed for those new to the concept. The course does not aim to cover a vast array of content but rather focuses on equipping participants with the basic tools and understanding necessary for further study. Ultimately, the primary objective is to nurture the development of discerning hearts, fostering an ability to navigate life’s complexities with spiritual insight and wisdom.

  • Individuals with limited or no experience in spiritual direction or discernment
  • Christians dedicated to continual growth in their relationship with God
  • Pastoral workers involved in general ministry

Students without a background in theology or spirituality are strongly encouraged to complete the PFI course ‘Introduction to Prayer’ before enrolling in this course.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

DateSession
19th February 2025What’s the destination?
26th February 2025Who are we discerning with?
5th March 2025Levels of discernment
12th March 2025Consolation and Desolation
26th March 2025Defending ourselves

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Students without a background in theology or spirituality are strongly encouraged to complete the PFI course ‘Introduction to Prayer’ before enrolling in this course.

Introduction to AI in Pastoral Settings: Tools and Practices

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 course aims to equip individuals working in pastoral contexts with the knowledge and skills needed to utilize AI tools effectively. Designed for those with little to no prior knowledge of AI, the course provides a basic understanding of AI systems, their potential applications, and best practices for implementation in pastoral work. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of how AI tools and systems function, an awareness of the positive and negative aspects of such tools, and an understanding of the Church’s position on AI. They will also develop the ability to critically assess which contexts might benefit from introducing AI tools and which would not, as well as gain awareness of some AI tools that might prove useful in pastoral work.

  • Pastoral Workers
  • Priests
  • Religious

And other individuals interested in the subject

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

DateSession
19th October 2024What is AI? What is the Church’s position on AI?
26th October 2024Helpful AI tools and how to make use of them

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Expressions of Personal Prayer

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 course acquaints students with the more common expressions of prayer within the Catholic Church, exploring their origins, strengths, limitations, and appropriate contexts. By internalising this knowledge, students will be motivated and equipped to advance in their own prayer journey and to guide communal moments of prayer effectively.

To be eligible for this course, participants must have completed the ‘Introduction to Prayer’ course or possess at least an MQF Level 4 qualification in religion or theology. Please upload a copy of your relevant certification with the application form.

  • Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
  • Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

DateSession
15th January 2025Praying with Nature and Music
22nd January 2025Praying with Art
29th January 2025Praying with Scripture
5th February 2025Devotional Prayer
12th February 2025Praying Like the Saints

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

To be eligible for this course, participants must have completed the ‘Introduction to Prayer’ course or possess at least an MQF Level 4 qualification in religion or theology. Please upload a copy of your relevant certification with the application form.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Prayer

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 provide participants with a foundational understanding of the place of prayer in the Catholic tradition. Rather than offering a manual or handbook on how to pray, this course will serve as a springboard for exploring prayer within Christianity. Participants will be challenged to consider what it means to see themselves as persons of prayer, deepening their spiritual practice and enriching their faith experience.

  • Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
  • Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

This course will be offered from October 2024

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  • What is Prayer?
  • The Universal Call to Prayer
  • Prayer in the Old Testament: Models, Advice and Material
  • Prayer in the New Testament: Models, Advice and Material
  • Prayer Times and Environments
  • Praying together and for others
  • The Mass: The Ultimate Prayer
  • Aids to Prayer
  • Leading a Life of Prayer
  • Important Aspects of Prayer

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Participation

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

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Living Beyond Sunday

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/.

Our relationship with God is not meant to stay within the walls of our parish church when we leave after Sunday Mass. Instead, “the Mass is ended, go in peace” is an exhortation for us to let what we received during Mass transform our hearts, families, homes, and schools into welcoming places to encounter Christ. This transformation should continue until we gather again the following Sunday to be strengthened and sent forth once more.

In this new course, Living Beyond Sunday, we aim to share ideas to help parents and all those working with children make their time together a place of encounter with God—a place where saints are being made. The course discusses how to foster holiness in all the everyday moments of Catholic life, starting with spiritual pedagogy and moving on to practical ways to celebrate this. It is based on the premise that with small efforts, creativity, and adaptations, it is possible to make what we experience during liturgy appealing, meaningful, and impactful for children.

  • Pastoral workers aiding in children’s and family ministry
  • Chaplaincy teams in schools
  • Parents

And other individuals interested in the subject.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom*

DatesSession
28th October 2024Introduction: Children’s Spirituality and their Relationship with God
4th November 2024Children’s Liturgy in Schools
Adaptation of a Liturgy
11th November 2024Introduction to the Liturgical Year
Advent and Christmas
18th November 2024Lent and Easter Triduum
25th November 2024Easter
Ordinary Time and Celebrating Saints
2nd December 2024Seminar – Sharing Good Practice*

*Participation in the seminar to be held on 2nd December 2024, is required to be in person.

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

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

3. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, pass from short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality

  ĊAK

This course delves into the timeless relevance of St Francis of Assisi’s life and teachings, portraying him as both a devoted disciple of Christ and a prophetic figure for our contemporary world. Participants will explore how St Francis’s wisdom can be applied to everyday life, including aspects such as prayer and discernment. Additionally, in anticipation of next year’s Jubilee of Hope, participants will explore St Francis as a companion figure for the upcoming Jubilee.

  • Franciscan collaborators
  • Individuals interested to explore and deepen their knowledge in Franciscan Spirituality

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

October 2024

DatesSession
8th OctoberIntroduction – The Saint’s Life
15th OctoberThe Franciscan Rule
22nd OctoberThe Mysteries of the Incarnation and Easter in the life of St Francis of Assisi
29th OctoberAgiography

November 2024

DatesSession
5th NovemberSt Francis and the Word of God
12th NovemberSt Francis’s Testament
19th NovemberThe Contemplative Dimension and the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi
26th NovemberSt Francis of Assisi and the Jubilee of Hope

December 2024

DatesSession
3rd DecemberFranciscan Discernment
10th DecemberThe Franciscan Dimension of the Liturgy and Particular Devotions

January 2025

DatesSession
14th JanuaryThe Economy of Francesco
21st JanuaryFranciscan Spirituality in Everyday Life

February 2025

DatesTimeSession
Saturday 8th February9:00am – 12:30pmHalf-Day Seminar on The Canticle of Creation*

*Seminar venue will be different from lecture venue. Further details will be announced at a later stage.

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a short multiple-choice exam

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a short multiple-choice exam
  • successfully complete and pass from written assignment

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to The Book of Ruth

The course aims to provide participants with a close reading of the Book of Ruth. It will delve into the historical context of the book, its structure, and practical implications such as migration, charity, fidelity, love, and the value of patience that emerge from this reading.

  • Individuals interested in scripture studies

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

DatesSession
3rd July 2024Introduction and Chapter 1
10th July 2024Chapter 2 and 3
17th July 2024Chapter 4 and Ruth in Mt 1:5

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a written assignment

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.