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Register for VLCFF Cycle 2!

Cycle 2 registration is in full swing! With over 50 courses available in English, Spanish, and Arabic, we're excited to offer you a flexible and accessible way to grow in faith and deepen your understanding of Catholic teaching. Whether you're new to faith formation or looking to expand your knowledge, there’s a course for you!

Registration Deadline: March 6, 2025
Classes Begin: March 10, 2025

Check out our Schedule Calendar. You'll find courses on basic biblical knowledge, morality, Catholic doctrine, ecclesiology, ministry, and more -- all designed to provide valuable formation for catechists, parish leaders, and anyone eager to grow in their faith journey.

All classes are online and asynchronous so you can participate from any place at any time during the term. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful learning with a vibrant online community!

February:
Month of the Passion of Our Lord

In the quiet of February, our hearts turn inward, embracing the Month of the Passion of Our Lord. This period serves as a bridge between the ordinary and the extraordinary, a stepping stone leading towards the solemnity of Lent. It's a time steeped in reflection, where the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ take center stage.

February’s contemplative atmosphere serves as a reminder of the hope that the Passion narrative brings to our lives—the promise of renewal and resurrection. It challenges us to embody the virtues of Christ in our actions and relationships, to carry our crosses with grace, and to act as beacons of Christ's love in the world. As we move through this month and into the Lenten season, let us embrace the spiritual depth and renewal it offers, drawing closer to the heart of our faith and the transformative power of the Easter mystery.

Explore Basic Catechist Formation

Have you ever considered becoming a catechist? Whether you're a Catholic school teacher, small group Church leader, or parish volunteer, the Basics of Catechist Formation (eCat) track is a great place to start!

This affordable, flexible online series consists of three-week e-seminars designed to help you understand the catechist vocation and its important role in the Church. The courses are divided into two groups of three, starting with Basics of Catechist Formation 1.1, which explores the essential role of a catechist. These interactive sessions offer a supportive environment where you can learn, grow, and connect with fellow learners from around the world.

Perfect for those new to faith formation, these courses will boost your confidence and strengthen your understanding of this crucial ministry. Courses run throughout the year, so check our calendar and sign up for the next session today!

Catholic U.S. Service Members Learn Spiritual Mentoring

After a year-long pilot, we’re excited to share the success of the Military Spiritual Mentoring program, an initiative created by retired U.S. Air Force Col. Suzy Streeter. Designed to support Catholic U.S. military personnel stationed around the world, this program connects seasoned service members with junior members seeking guidance in both their faith and military careers.

Working closely with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI), Col. Streeter developed a specialized VLCFF online course to train military mentors. Since launching in 2020, the program has grown with strong endorsements from Bishop James Golka and Archbishop Timothy Broglio, expanding beyond military chapels into civilian parishes.

Through this mentoring journey, participants are finding faith-filled community and resilience. We’re proud to support this mission and look forward to seeing it reach more military members worldwide.

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Our Mission

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is a growing initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet. The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation in cyberspace.

The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton - a Catholic Marianist Institution.

From Eric F. Spina, University of Dayton President:
"The Institute for Pastoral Initiatives is a pioneer in the e-learning field, delivering 24-7 remote classes to dioceses worldwide long before the pandemic prompted schools to go online and offer hybrid learning. With a successful model already in place, the VLCFF is poised to reach [even] more people with faith formation classes."

A Brief History of the VLCFF

Explore Our Program

Overview

Getting Started

Certificate Programs

Institute for Pastoral Initiatives

From our Students

"I have completed many courses through University of Dayton VLCFF online. I keep thinking I am through but the classes you offer are so interesting and beneficial for my job and in my personal faith growth that I continue taking classes!"

"I am eternally grateful to University of Dayton for treating me not as just a student, but as family. This was my first experience with online classes and I found myself struggling during a particular course since I was juggling studies, work, family and other activities. I felt swamped. I quickly fell behind and just as I was contemplating if I should quit, my facilitator taught me how to balance my assignments."

"So, every session has been awesome! Your facilitators take the time to give feedback on a personal level as well as reach out when assistance is needed."

University of Dayton Religious Studies

Did you know The University of Dayton offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees in Religious Studies?

As a Catholic Marianist university, the mission of the Department of Religious Studies is to discover, explore, and analyze religious experience in its various manifestations emphasizing the Roman Catholic tradition, in dialogue with the other Christian traditions and with the world religions.

For more information visit the Religious Studies website.

Make a difference!
Support the VLCFF.

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation is a non-profit organization at the University of Dayton. Your tax deductible gift can help further our mission of religious education and faith formation.

Learn More

Register for VLCFF Cycle 2!

February:Month of the Passion of Our Lord