The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) University of Dayton is an 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. The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton. The Archdiocese of Louisville is a partner diocese with VLCFF. VLCFF courses are preapproved for Catechist Credit with the Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute (ALMI).
To register and pay for Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) courses, go to the VLCFF University of Dayton web site at vlcff.udayton.edu. Click on “Students” to register for courses. Click on “Courses” or “Calendar” to view available courses. Course Cost: $50.00 – $60.00 per course. All VLCFF courses have set start, end, and registration dates. Courses are offered in 3-5 week cycles.
Many courses have required resources (textbooks or reading materials). To find the required resources for a course, go to the course description at vlcff.udayton.edu. The Office of Faith Formation may have these resources available to loan. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or 502-636-0296, ext. 1267, to inquire about borrowing the resources.
For more information about VLCFF courses, go to vlcff.udayton.edu or contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or 502-636-0296 ext. 1267. To view a list of all courses from VLCFF that are approved for catechist credit with the Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute, and to view where those credits apply on catechist’s, click here.
Below is the list of upcoming courses from VLCFF. Click on the class title for more details. Click here to view classes from VLCFF that are available in Spanish.
Cycle 1: January 18 – February 21, 2027 (Registration: Opens October 30, 2026; Closes January 13, 2027)
- Bible Basics
- Catechetical Methodology – AMS
- Catholic Beliefs
- Christology
- Church History 1
- Disabilities in Parish Life: An Overview
- Discernment in Practical Morality
- Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church
- Faith and Human Development
- Foundations and Vision for Evangelizing Catechesis
- Images of Jesus
- Introduction to Christian Morality
- Introduction to Liturgy
- Introduction to Paul’s Life and Letters
- Introduction to Prayer
- Introduction to Scripture
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Pastoral Approach to Culture
- Principles for Addressing Diversity Issues in Youth Ministry (YM)
- Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Survey of Catholic Doctrine
- This Land is Home to Me: The Cry of Appalachia (Sem)
- Who is Mary of Nazareth, and Why Should We Care? (MS)
Cycle 2: April 5 – May 9, 2027 (Registration: Opens January 20, 2027; Closes March 31, 2027)
- Bible Basics
- Catholic Beliefs
- Catholic Teachings on Chastity and Human Sexuality (Sem)
- Church History 2
- Ecclesiology: A Theological, Historical and Pastoral Summary (Sem)
- Evangelization and Discipleship
- Fundamentals in Deaf Faith Formation Methodologies
- Galatians Revised
- Images of Jesus
- Introduction to Scripture
- Leadership in Ministry
- Liturgical Books
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Permanent Deacons: Discerning a Call to Holy Orders
- Planning Youth Ministry Events (YM)
- Praying With Children
- Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Scripture, the Soul of Mariology (MS)
- Survey of Catholic Doctrine
- The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA): A Process, Not a Program
- Theological Reflection: Key to Connecting Faith and Life (Sem)
Cycle 3: June 14 – July 18, 2027 (Registration: Opens April 7, 2027; Closes June 9, 2027)
- A Vision for Catholic Youth Ministry (YM)
- An Introduction to Catholic Doctrine on the Blessed Virgin Mary (MS)
- Bible Basics
- Catechetical Methodology – AMS
- Catholic Beliefs
- Church History 1
- Creative Methodologies: ADHD in Parish Life – Pastoral Implications
- Discernment in Practical Morality
- Faith and Human Development
- Foundations and Vision for Evangelizing Catechesis
- Images of Jesus
- Introduction to Christian Morality
- Introduction to Paul’s Life and Letters
- Introduction to Prayer
- Introduction to Scripture
- Music in Liturgy
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Poverty: A Global Perspective
- Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Survey of Catholic Doctrine
- The Role of Missionary Discipleship in Evangelizing Catechesis (Sem)
- Theology of Migration (Sem)
- Tolkien, Pope Leo XIV and the Call to Stewardship (Sem)
- Vocation to Ministry
- Vocation, Spirituality, and Discipleship of Catechists
Cycle 4: August 23 – September 26, 2027 (Registration: Opens June 16, 2027; Closes August 18, 2027)
- Administration in Ministry
- Autism in Faith Formation (SN 4)
- Bereavement Ministry: A Christian Perspective
- Bible Basics
- Catholic Beliefs
- Christology
- Church History 2
- Disabilities in Parish Life: An Overview
- Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church
- Images of Jesus
- Images of Mary (Sem)
- Introduction to Liturgy
- Introduction to Scripture
- Mary in the Liturgical Life of the Church (MS)
- Mary’s Guide to Marriage Through the Rosary (Sem)
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Pastoral Approach to Culture
- Praying With Children
- Relational Ministry with Youth (YM)
- Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Survey of Catholic Doctrine
- The Mass
- Theological Reflection: Key to Connecting Faith and Life (Sem)
Cycle 5: November 1 – December 5, 2027 (Registration: Opens August 25, 2027; Closes October 27, 2027)
- Advanced Catholic Social Teaching (SJ)
- Angels in the Bible (Sem)
- Bible Basics
- Catechetical Methodology – AMS
- Catholic Beliefs
- Catholic Identity and Culture (Sem)
- Community, Communication, and Collaboration
- Discernment in Practical Morality
- Ecclesiology: A Theological, Historical and Pastoral Summary (Sem)
- Faith Formation for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Images of Jesus
- Introduction to Prayer
- Introduction to Scripture
- Mary and Spirituality: A Journey of Holiness (MS)
- Music in Liturgy
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Prayer and Worship with Adolescents (YM)
- Prophets
- Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
- Sacraments
- Survey of Catholic Doctrine
- The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA): A Process, Not a Program
- The Role of Missionary Discipleship in Evangelizing Catechesis (Sem)
