Advent: A Season of Hope and Reflection
Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. It is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and embrace the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love that lead us to Christmas. This sacred time calls us to prayer, reflection on scripture, and intentional acts of kindness in our daily lives.
In faith formation, Advent offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in the world and our role as bearers of Christ’s light. The themes of this season remind us to look forward with hope while also being fully present to the needs around us.
As we journey through these weeks of preparation, may we find moments of grace and transformation, drawing closer to the mystery of Emmanuel, God with us, and sharing that light with others in our communities.
University of Dayton alumnus
to be made a cardinal
On October 6, Pope Francis named Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto among 21 new cardinals, highlighting his pivotal role in the Catholic Church. Cardinal-elect Leo, a two-time University of Dayton graduate, earned a Sacred Theological Licentiate (2002) and Doctorate (2004) through UD’s International Marian Research Institute (IMRI). His dissertation focused on Mary’s role in theology, reflecting his lifelong devotion to Marian studies.
Leo co-founded the Canadian Mariological Society and has promoted Marian devotion through initiatives like renewing consecrations to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. His homilies emphasize Mary as a model for faith and community, linking her "yes" to the Incarnation to believers’ daily lives. IMRI colleague Gloria Dodd called him a “wonderful colleague,” and Fr. Johann Roten praised his vision of Mary as both sister and Church model. Leo’s theology celebrates God’s work through Mary’s faith, inspiring believers to embody grace in relationships and communities.
Read more on our University of Dayton blog.
Registration is Open for
Cycle 1, 2025
It's hard to believe 2025 is just around the corner! With that in mind, now is the perfect time to plan and register for a VLCFF course in Cycle 1 of 2025. We are ready to serve you with over 50 courses in English, Spanish, and Arabic, each designed to deepen your faith and understanding of the Catholic Church’s teachings.
Cycle 1 will offer a wide range of topics, from foundational theology to spiritual formation, all delivered in an engaging, interactive, and fully online format. These courses are taught by experienced facilitators who guide your learning and foster community through meaningful discussions. Whether you’re seeking to grow in your role as a catechist or simply enrich your spiritual life, there’s a course for you.
Registration is open now through January 16th, with classes starting on January 20, 2025. Don’t wait to invest in your faith journey. Register today and start 2025 with a commitment to grow spiritually and intellectually through the VLCFF.
Who is Mary of Nazareth,
and Why Should We Care?
Have you ever wondered about the woman behind the nativity scene? Who is Mary of Nazareth, and why is her story still relevant today? The VLCFF is offering an engaging course (part of the Marian Studies certificate program ) that invites you to explore Mary’s role as the Mother of God and her profound influence on our faith and Church tradition.
Through an in-depth look at Mary’s life, virtues, and presence in Scripture, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for her significance. Why should we care about Mary today? Because her example of faith, courage, and discipleship continues to inspire and guide us in our spiritual journey.
Led by knowledgeable facilitators, this course fosters thoughtful discussion and personal reflection, helping you to connect Mary’s story to your own life. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand Mary’s impact and grow closer to her as a model of faith. Join us in Cycle 1, starting January 20 2025, and unveil the many questions about Mary of Nazareth.
Creches from around the World!
Creches, or nativity scenes, beautifully depict the story of Christ’s birth, reflecting the richness of cultural traditions from around the world. At the University of Dayton, the Marian Library's World Nativity collection showcases thousands of these remarkable pieces, each offering a unique interpretation of the Nativity through local customs and artistry. This collection is a testament to the universal celebration of Emmanuel—God with us—uniting faith communities globally.
The Marian Library, home to the world’s largest collection of artworks devoted to the Virgin Mary, lovingly preserves these treasures. Each year, select creches are displayed throughout the University, bringing joy and reflection to the campus community. Their presence invites us to pause and marvel at the mystery of Christ’s birth, as told through the lens of diverse cultures.
We hope you enjoy this short Nativity video.
Merry Christmas from the VLCFF at the University of Dayton!
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.
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