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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.

A Track for Everyone

The VLCFF has an e-course for everyone—in a wide variety of subjects and tracks designed to help form disciples and strengthen the life of the Body of Christ in every season of ministry. For those called to accompany others, we provide tracks in Adult Formation Leadership, Youth Ministry, Catechesis, and Disabilities Ministry—equipping learners to serve with pastoral skill, knowledge, and compassion. For deeper grounding in what the Church believes, our Catholic Culture, Catholic Doctrine, and Church History tracks connect tradition to today's questions and opportunities for evangelization.

We also invite focused study through tracks on Scripture and Spirituality, helping learners pray, interpret, and proclaim the Word with confidence. Marian Studies offers a contemplative path into discipleship with Mary, while Social Justice formation integrates Catholic social teaching with concrete practices of mercy and mission. Across every track, our aim is the same: to form mature, Spirit-led disciples who can build up the Church and witness Christ to the world. Check out our Course Catalog to view all these tracks and the courses within them!

Visit our calendar page then register for a course today.

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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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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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