The Solemn Beauty of Holy Week

This week, the Church enters the most sacred period of the year: Holy Week. We walk with Jesus through the final moments of his earthly ministry – the triumph of Palm Sunday, the intimacy of the Last Supper, the agony of Good Friday.

Catholic traditions enrich this journey. Palm branches, blessed on Sunday, become reminders of Christ the King. On Thursday, we attend the beautiful yet somber Mass of the Lord's Supper, followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Good Friday is a day of fasting and prayer, often marked by the Stations of the Cross, meditating on Jesus' sacrifice.

Though the mood is solemn, Holy Week isn't just about mourning. It's about profound love and unwavering hope. As we reflect on Christ's suffering, we prepare for the glorious light of Easter Sunday, the celebration of His resurrection and the promise of new life.




Cycle 3 Brings Spring e-Courses!

For those in the northern hemisphere, spring is here! And the VLCFF's Cycle 3 is just around the corner! The good news is that no matter where you are in the world, you can enroll in a VLCFF e-course!

This term, we're offering a vibrant bouquet of over 50 five-week courses in English, Spanish, and Arabic, designed to enrich your spiritual journey. Whether you're a seasoned catechist seeking to hone your skills, a curious mind wanting to delve into Catholic Social Teaching, or someone yearning for a stronger biblical foundation, Cycle 3 has something for everyone. And if you’re enrolled in a VLCFF certificate program, be sure to check the Cycle 3 calendar for classes relevant to your certification.

Registration is open until April 3rd, with classes starting on April 8th. So, don't miss out – plant the seeds of knowledge and connect with a global faith community. Sign up today and let your faith flourish!

View Cycle 3 e-Courses here...       Register here…




Featured Course!
Planning Youth Ministry Events

Does planning youth ministry events leave you feeling overwhelmed? Are you unsure how to create activities that resonate with your young people? Our online course, Planning Youth Ministry Events, can help!

This course goes beyond just event ideas. We'll show you why events are essential for connecting youth to your parish and how to plan gatherings that are both fun and spiritually enriching. Our step-by-step approach will guide you through everything from brainstorming themes to creating a realistic budget and timeline.

But it's not just about the event itself. Learn how to build parish-wide support for your youth ministry, ensuring your events have a lasting impact. Gain the skills to design events that connect with your young people, enriching their faith journey. Learn how to create meaningful experiences that will truly make a difference.

Ready to take your youth ministry to the next level?

Learn More...       Register here…




Bishop Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap.
Visits from Southern Arabia

In February, the VLCFF was privileged to welcome Bishop Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap. from the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA), a region that is home to over 800,000 Catholics. For over a decade, AVOSA and the VLCFF have collaborated to enrich the lives of catechists and parishioners, creating a strong partnership that supports the faithful in this significant part of the world.

During his visit, our team had the opportunity to explore how the VLCFF can further support AVOSA's mission through meaningful conversations with the Bishop and his staff. Having once taught at the university level in Italy, Bishop Martinelli was also happy to engage a classroom of our University of Dayton students in enlightening discussions about the Middle East and the Church's influence in the area. The Bishop went on to have a luncheon and further talks with the university president, Dr. Eric Spina.

The visit concluded on a joyful note, with Bishop Martinelli showcasing his musical talents in a memorable singing and guitar performance for the VLCFF staff, leaving us inspired by his faith-filled artistry.




VLCFF Classes in Arabic!

For several years, the VLCFF had successfully piloted Catholic faith courses in the Arabic language. Recognizing the growing demand and the program's remarkable impact, the VLCFF has now expanded its Arabic course offerings to include a comprehensive range of 12 e-courses, catering to learners of all levels.

To learn more please contact us for information on when and where to register.

Trinity TV Collaboration

Trinity TV, a Catholic cable TV station broadcasting from Trinidad & Tobago, has launched an inspiring new program called Leap of Faith. Leap of Faith is the brainchild of Trinity TV station manager Lisa Bhajan. Her goal was to create a panel discussion program tackling issues affecting the modern Catholic Church.

To bring this idea to life, Lisa reached out to the IPI/VLCFF due to her over 20 year association with us. The VLCFF's Sister Angela Ann Zukowski enthusiastically supported developing the concept into a show. A regular episode of the half- hour show is called Ethos, and features well-informed guests from the University of Dayton and the IPI/VLCFF community. Feedback has been tremendously positive and we know you will enjoy the program. Individual episodes will be showcased here on our website, so check back often!

Leap of Faith, Ethos


Today's Topic:
The Season of Aging - Legacy and Spirituality

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Growing as catechists and community online and offline

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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

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"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!"

Sybil, Virginia
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"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."

Terrence, Trinidad & Tobago

University of Dayton Religious Studies

University of Dayton, St Mary's Hall

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

Sister Angela's Corner