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Private Audience with Pope Leo XIV

We had the honor and blessing of meeting Pope Leo XIV during a Private Audience with 100 leaders of the NCCHM Pilgrimage to the Vatican, held as part of the Jubilee of Migrants. In this Holy Year, we walk together as Pilgrims of Hope, carrying a message of unity, faith, and renewal for our communities.

Representing the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton, Liliana Montoya had the privilege of participating in this historic encounter, joining other leaders in advancing the Church’s mission of inclusion and service.

This experience is a gift, a mission, and a blessing to the entire Hispanic Catholic community in the United States, which NCCHM had the honor of representing before the Holy Father.

We invite you to watch this inspiring video featuring reflections and testimonies from the pilgrims who joined this extraordinary journey.

Faith for All: Books Designed for People with Disabilities and Inclusive Learning

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF), in partnership with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton, is proud to offer a collection of inclusive faith-formation books created with accessibility and compassion in mind.

These books are designed for individuals with disabilities, their families, and all who desire a more inclusive experience of faith and learning. Each title reflects IPI’s commitment to building church and school communities that welcome every learner celebrating the gifts, talents, and dignity of all.

By purchasing these books, you’re not just gaining inspiring resources you’re supporting a mission of inclusion within the Church, helping ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can grow in faith, understanding, and belonging.

Click here: To learn more about this initiative OR order the books!

Congrats, Kathryn Miles-Flynn!

On September 26-28th of this year, the Vatican held the Jubilee for Catechists, a celebration we at the VLCFF, strongly align our hearts with. To our great joy, we learned that during this celebration, our long-time collaborator and friend, Kathryn Miles-Flynn, received a Ministry of Catechist crucifix during a special Mass with Pope Leo XIV. Read an article about her from Catholic News Agency!

Kate is the Director of Christian Formation for one of our 77 Partners, the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, and we are thrilled for her well-deserved recognition. Her dedication and passion for the faith has been felt all throughout the VLCFF, and you can witness it for yourself, by watching this interview we had with her last year! From all of us at the VLCFF…congrats, Kate!

Learn Spanish: A Journey of Faith, Language, and Culture

If you feel called to deepen your ministry and connect more fully with your community, our course:
Currículo del Idioma Español para el Ministerio Litúrgico.
English: “Spanish Language Curriculum for Liturgical Ministry” is designed for you.

In just 5 weeks, you’ll gain the tools to integrate the beauty of the Spanish language and culture into your liturgical and pastoral service. Through three enriching modules Culture, Grammar, and Pastoral you’ll not only learn the foundations of Spanish, but also discover how language can become a bridge of faith, understanding, and love.

This course will prepare you to serve more effectively, opening doors to new relationships and heartfelt communication with Spanish-speaking members of your community.

Keep an eye out for when we offer it next!

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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

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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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