Welcome from the Director!
The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is one of many means to enhance quality adult faith, catechist and lay ministry formation in the Catholic Church today. We are pleased that you have selected The University of Dayton's program. As a Catholic Marianist university, we strive to reflect the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church. We invite you to join other Catholics in your diocese and dioceses across the country and around the world seeking to intensify their understanding and appreciation of the faith.
The USCCB (United States Catholic Bishops Conference) in 1999 published an imperative document called Our Hearts Were Burning (OHWB). The document presents directions for creating a pastoral plan for adult faith formation within the Church. The VLCFF is a foremost resource for supporting diocesan and parish pastoral plans.
The Bishops state: "...adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well equipped to share the Gospel, promoting it in every family circle, in every church gathering, in every place of work, and in every public forum. They must be women and men of prayer whose faith is alive and vital, grounded in deep commitment to the person and message of Jesus (#2). The bishops continue: "We are convinced that the energy and resources we devote to adult faith formation will strengthen and invigorate all the charisms that adults receive and the activities they undertake: (#39).
It is in this spirit that the VLCFF, in collaboration with our 40+ VLCFF Diocesan Partners, strives to identify, design and advance quality online adult faith, catechist and lay ministry formation courses. Our courses emerge out of the current needs of the Church. The course designers are qualified-faithfilled women and men who are in touch with the current pastoral needs of the Church, profile of Catholic peoples and attuned to the Church’s official teachings.
VLCFF Course facilitators have a documented history for effectively engaging in faith formation. They have been approved by The Institute for Pastoral Initiatives and their diocese as committed to the authentic mission of the Church. They have passed through the VLCFF formal facilitator’s formation process. Many have taught for copious years within the VLCFF program. The facilitators bring a wealth of collective Catholic wisdom and vibrancy to the online discussions and interaction with each student.
We hope you discover the VLCFF experience to be enlightening, challenging and enriching for your faith journey. Whether you are joining us as a Catholic seeking to deepen your personal faith experience, or within one of our online certificate programs, we are here to support you. Please feel free to contact one of our staff, or myself if you have any comments, questions along the way. We are always eager to hear affirmations of how the online experience is impacting your life.
As you journey along the way, know that we hold each one of you in prayer each day. You are important to us! The Bishops closing words in OHWB resonate within our mission with and for you: "Awakened and energized by the Spirit, let us strengthen our commitment and intensify our efforts to help the adults in our communities be touched and transformed by the life-giving message of Jesus, to explore its meaning, experience its power, and live in its light as faith adult disciples today" (#183).
Sincerely,
Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, D.Min.
VLCFF/IPI Director
Professor - Department of Religious Studies