Leap of Faith, Ethos
Today's Topic:
Laudato Si’ - Care for Our Common Home
The Month of Mary
May, traditionally recognized as the month of Mary, holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics worldwide. This month, devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an opportunity for the faithful to deepen their devotion and seek her intercession. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, embodies grace, humility, and unwavering faith, serving as an inspirational figure for all.
During May, many Catholics participate in various Marian devotions, such as praying the Rosary, May Crownings, and special Masses. These practices honor Mary’s pivotal role in salvation history and her constant maternal care for the Church. Parishes and families often create beautiful altars adorned with flowers and images of Mary, symbolizing their love and reverence.
Reflecting on Mary’s virtues and her “yes” to God encourages believers to live out their own faith with similar dedication and trust. May’s focus on Mary invites us to draw closer to her and, through her, to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Personalized Learning:
Small Class = Big Impact!
At the VLCFF, our small class sizes are designed to provide a personalized and enriching learning experience. With a maximum of 15 students per class, each participant receives individualized attention and support from experienced instructors (facilitators). This intimate setting fosters meaningful interactions, allowing students to engage deeply with course materials and with each other. Facilitators can also tailor their feedback to address specific topics, helping students to grasp complex concepts and apply them effectively in their faith formation journey.
Additionally, the close-knit environment encourages the formation of strong connections and a sense of community among learners. These relationships can provide ongoing support and inspiration, enhancing both personal and spiritual growth. Choose the VLCFF for a spiritual education that promotes collaborative learning and values individual voices.
Military Spiritual Mentoring
The VLCFF is thrilled to announce the success of a groundbreaking Catholic spiritual mentoring program for members of the armed forces. The brainchild of Suzy Streeter (Ret Col. US Space Force), this program aims to teach military personnel to serve as mentors to their peers, blending the VLCFF's online platform with in-person classes for a comprehensive hybrid experience.
Suzy pitched her idea to Sister Angela Zukowski in June 2023, envisioning a program that would eventually span all six military branches, starting with the Air Force. The VLCFF team created a special course tailored to meet the unique needs of military personnel, which became a central component of Suzy's practicum project for her master's degree in theology at the University of Dayton. We are proud to share that Suzy earned her degree in May.
The pilot programs, conducted from mid-August to early September 2023 and January to March 2024, received positive feedback from participants, demonstrating the program's effectiveness and potential for expansion. Archbishop Broglio from the Archdiocese for Military Services has approved a year-long pilot for 2025. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to support the spiritual growth of military personnel worldwide.
Earn a Certificate in Social Justice
Do social justice issues resonate with you? The VLCFF's Certificate in Social Justice can equip you to become a powerful advocate for change. This comprehensive program delves into Catholic Social Teaching, exploring themes like human dignity, the common good, and solidarity with the marginalized. Through engaging online courses, you'll understand critical social justice issues and their intersection with faith.
Designed for flexibility, this program suits busy professionals, dedicated volunteers, or those seeking personal growth. Tailor coursework to your schedule and integrate social justice principles into your work and life. You'll gain practical skills to analyze complex situations, develop effective communication strategies, and advocate for change within your community.
Investing in this program is an investment in a just world. Join a community of learners dedicated to making a difference. Explore the VLCFF's Certificate in Social Justice today and become an advocate for change. Learn More…
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!
Today's Topic:
Laudato Si’ - Care for Our Common Home
Trending: News & Social Media
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
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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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