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Pope Leo XIV's Guidance on AI

Pope Leo XIV's newest encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), calls the Church, and the world, to safeguard the dignity of the human person in the time of artificial intelligence. Drawing on the Church’s social doctrine, it frames our moment as a choice between building a new "Babel" of power/control, or rebuilding a shared "Jerusalem" rooted in communion, responsibility, and the common good. It raises urgent questions about truth and communication, the dignity of work amid digital transition, the protection of freedom from manipulation, and the need for just governance of AI that serves people rather than reducing them to data. We at the VLCFF receive this teaching as a formation agenda: shaping disciples whose conscience is alive, whose love is concrete, and whose use of technology is missionary and humanizing. We want to help the Body of Christ learn to discern, to serve, and to witness with hope. You can read the encyclical here, and see how it aligns with our own AI policy for our e-courses.

Form Your Faith in Cycle 5

Cycle 5 invites learners to grow as disciples and strengthen the Body of Christ through a rich set of online courses that unite prayer, doctrine, Scripture, and practical ministry! We welcome catechists, ministry leaders, Catholic school teachers, and all who desire deeper faith formation. Offerings span core foundations—Bible Basics, Introduction to Scripture, Old and New Testament, Catholic Beliefs, Survey of Catholic Doctrine, Christology, Ecclesiology, Church History, and Sacraments—alongside liturgical and spiritual renewal through Introduction to Liturgy, The Mass, Introduction to Prayer, and Marian studies. Pastoral tracks equip hands-on service in today's Church, including catechetical methodology, adult learning, youth and relational ministry, bereavement care, praying with children, and inclusion through autism in faith formation. Together, these themes form faithful leaders who can accompany others with competence, compassion, and hope. Registration is open until July 16th, and classes run from July 20th–August 23rd. Hope to see you there!

Connecting with Marianist Roots

Over 175 years ago, the University of Dayton was founded by the Marianists, a religious community of brothers and priests dedicated to the mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which emphasizes education, the family spirit, service, and social justice. Today, the Marianist family extends to the Marianist Sisters and even an active lay-community. Being a part of the University, we at the VLCFF honor these roots and often find ourselves seeking our own kind of formation in the Marianist charisms. Recently, we've been doing this by inviting a number of prominent Marianist associates to speak to our team and help us "integrate Marianist intentionality" into our 2030 strategic plan. Guests have included Jessica González Uhlig, program administrator for NACMS, and Rob Brodrick, the National Director of the MLC-NA.

We also got to sit down with Fr. Ted Cassidy SM, who was previously a resident Marianist at the University, and the dedicated celebrant of the monthly Masses we hold at our home office. We are so grateful for all of these individuals who have inspired us to remain rooted in our Marianist-inspired mission.

The USA is Consecrated to the Sacred Heart

In June, we approach the feasts of the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and celebrate mercy made visible, as well as the human "yes" that made room for Christ. It's fitting that for the United States' semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of when the country signed its Declaration of Independence, that the bishops under the USCCB will consecrate the USA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In Archbishop William Lori's homily, he stated that consecrations are an, "acknowledgement that history is not simply the story of what human beings accomplish;" but, "the story of God's faithful love at work in the world." This consecration, as well as these feast days, take the shape of our own mission here at the VLCFF: to create hearts conformed to Jesus, steadfast with Marianist charism, and sent in the Spirit to renew the world!

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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.

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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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