UDayton's Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation

04/01/2026

As we journey through Holy Week, we ask.....what does it look like to form your faith and grow into the disciple God is calling you to be? 🤔✝️✨Our ministry is here to help you with this.➡️

🌸Until APRIL 9TH, you can register for any of our online, faith-formation courses available in the upcoming Cycle 3. All our e-courses are specifically designed for deep, Catholic faith formation, strengthening your own, personal faith, applying it to your local parish, connecting you with the global Church, and even preparing you for ministerial or catechetical leadership!

🌸Cycle 3 Course List:
ENGLISH- https://vlcff.udayton.edu/calendar/?lang=en
ESPAÑOL- https://vlcff.udayton.edu/calendar/?lang=es
Learn how to register for our courses here: https://vlcff.udayton.edu/profile/become_student.php

🌸Here are just some of the courses available now:
--Catholic Teachings on Chastity and Human Sexuality
--Discernment in Practical Morality
--Ecclesiology: Pilgrim Church
--Facilitating Adult Learning and Faith Formation
--Fundamentals in Deaf Faith Formation Methodologies
--Galatians
--Introduction to Sacraments of Initiation
--Scripture and Justice
--The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA): A Process, Not a Program
--Understanding Culture in Ministry: Building Bridges
--Veteran and Military Family Outreach
--Currículo del Idioma Español para el Ministerio Litúrgico
--Diaconado Permanente-Discernimiento en el Llamado
--El Líder: Un Buen Administrador de los Bienes de la Creación
--Herramientas y Habilidades Interculturales para el Ministerio
--La Familia Como Iglesia Doméstica
--Pastoral Hispana..and SO many more!

🌸CYCLE 3 BEGINS APRIL 13TH! Register today!

🌸Visit https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ to log in, make a profile, learn about our payment policy, check if you belong to one of our 70+ Partner Dioceses for a course discount, OR view the entire year's course calendar. 📲 For any questions, please feel free to comment below OR contact us at [email protected] / (888) 300-8436.

🌸We would love for you to join the VLCFF community! 🥰🌐💫
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Traducción al Español en nuestra página de Facebook en Español: VLCFF en Español

03/12/2026

Happy National Catholic Sisters' Week! ✝️👩💟

This week is an opportunity for us to be grateful for all the women religious who have offered, and continue to offer, outstanding service and ministry both within the Catholic Church, and in our diverse, virtual community around the world.

When our Executive Director, Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH (a member of Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart), arrived at the University of Dayton in 1979, there were around 28-35 Catholic Sisters on campus, and as one of them, she strived, alongside the others, to live out God’s calling for her life. 47 years later, this is still evident today, as we actively witness Sr. Angela Ann’s inspiring leadership, wisdom, and dedication that ripples through halls of UD and touches the lives of so many.

So, let us remember all those women religious, not only those who were on UD campus, but also those around the WORLD who've helped us facilitate and design e-courses for the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF). All of these women have, at one point, contributed to UD’s Catholic, Marianist mission/identity as fantastic, faith-filled women who've made a rich difference. They include (though not all are pictured):
-Sr. Kathleen Burton, SSJ
-Sr. Rita Hawk, SC
-Sr. Susan Imburgia, CSJ
-Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI
-Sr. Marilyn Kerber, SNDdeN
-Sr. Maria Lai, CSJ
-Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP
-Sr. Sally Russell, SSJ
-Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP
-Sr. Maureen Shaughnessy, SC
-Sr. Ruth Bolarte, IHM
-Sr. Gleudy Lara, PVM
-Misionera Luz Arango (Fraternidad Misionera Verbum Dei)
-Misionera María de la Luz Jiménez Sánchez (Fraternidad Misionera Verbum Dei)
-Misionera Kalina Becerra Ochoa (Fraternidad Misionera Verbum Dei)
-Sr. Luz Mondragon, HMRF

The Institute for Pastoral Initiatives recognizes and celebrates the many Sisters who are dedicated to delivering quality faith formation and ensuring that each and every VLCFF student experiences a fresh awakening of their Catholic knowledge and faith. Let us remember and salute each one and assure them of our deep gratitude and prayers!

03/07/2026

📣New Blog Post!/¡Nueva Blog! 📣

Read all about how a UD alumna’s project, shaped through the guidance of our Executive Director, Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, and how it has developed into a global, spiritual mentoring ministry serving Catholic military members and spouses. 🪖✝️✨

You can read this blog (and all the other blogs from the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives) on our official UD page here: https://udayton.edu/blogs/ipi/2025/2025-military-mentoring.php
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El blog está en inglés, pero se puede traducir a través de la mayoría de los navegadores de Internet.✨📲

03/06/2026

On Feb. 7th, a few members of our team (Dorothy Mensah-Aggrey, Associate Director for English Curriculum, & Liliana Montoya, Associate Director of Spanish Curriculum and Ministry) were invited to attend the Radiate Christ Awards, organized by one of our Partners, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and their Center for the New Evangelization, where six awardees received recognition for their inspiring work within their parishes!

In his welcome address, Sean Ater, the Director of this office, noted, “Through your leadership....parishes, homes, and hearts are being transformed into places of welcome, encounter, discipleship, and mission.”❤️

It was a wonderful celebration of lay-ministers who go the extra mile as missionary disciples in their areas of ministry. Archbishop Emeritus Dennis M. Schnurs was in attendance, as was about 200 people from all over the archdiocese. We, along with many other organizations, were so glad to show our support by being able to donate towards this important ceremony.

We are truly blessed to work with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (one of our 70+ Diocesan Partners!) to promote and celebrate the English and Español lay-ministry happening there! ✨✝️🌐

Learn more about the awards here: https://www.centerforthenewevangelization.org/radiate-christ-awards
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Traducción al Español en nuestra página de Facebook en Español: VLCFF en Español

02/02/2026

Cycle 2 is officially open!!⛪️📚✝️🌐

Until MARCH 5TH, you can register for any of the online courses available in Cycle 2, all specifically designed to teach you about the Catholic faith, strengthen your personal faith, and even prepare you for ministerial or catechetical leadership.

Cycle 2 Course List:
ENGLISH- https://vlcff.udayton.edu/calendar/
ESPAÑOL- https://vlcff.udayton.edu/calendar/?lang=es
Learn how to register for our courses here: https://vlcff.udayton.edu/profile/become_student.php

PLEASE NOTE: ALL Cycle 2 courses are "e-seminars," meaning they will be 3 weeks long instead of the usual 5 weeks. If this is more convenient for you, now might be the perfect time to register!

Here are just some of the courses available now:
--Images of Mary
--Praying with Creative Arts: Poetry
--Summary of Catholic Social Teaching
--Introducción a la Pastoral Misionera
--Introduccion a la Revelación Cristiana
--Reflexión Teológica
--María, Madre de la Iglesia
--Oscar Romero: Sacerdote, Profeta, Martir y Santo
--On Bended Knee (Based on a pastoral letter by Bsp. Anthony G. Bosco that takes you on a prayerful journey with your relationship to the Eucharist & its connection to service)
--Our Hearts Were Burning (Based off a USCCB pastoral plan about adult faith formation, and how to weave it into the fabric of parish life)..and many more!

Visit https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ to log in, learn about our payment policy, check if you belong to one of our more than 70 partner dioceses for a course discount, OR view the entire year's course calendar. 📲 For any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] OR (888) 300-8436.

We would love for you to join the VLCFF community! 🥰🌐💫
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Traducción al Español en nuestra página de Facebook en Español: VLCFF en Español

01/30/2026

On November 1st, 2025, St. John Henry Newman was declared the newest Doctor of the Catholic Church…........but who was he?🧐❓

In this engaging video collaboration, we got to join Fr. James Heft S.M. (Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Dayton, Marianist, and our dear friend), as he answers this question with a compelling overview of Newman’s life and enduring influence on the Catholic Church.

Listen as he explores Newman’s spiritual journey from Anglicanism to Catholicism, emphasizing his conversion, scholarship, and deep commitment to faith. Newman’s thoughtful engagement with doctrine, history, and the challenges of Church life will show you EXACTLY why he was declared a Church Doctor, or as Fr. Heft says, “someone whose teachings are considered solid and worth reflecting on for the entire Church.”

Watch Fr. Heft’s overview, and let Newman’s legacy invite you to reflect on your own faith journey:
https://youtu.be/KfNtqqaVRD8?si=2Db8XhanSFPn9VTf

On November 1st, 2025 (All Saint's Day), St. John Henry Newman became the newest Doctor of the Catholic Church. In this video collaboration between the Univ...

01/07/2026

To our brothers and sisters around the world....welcome to 2026!!✨ We're so excited to log back into the virtual community and begin a brand, new year of faith formation. ✝👏

If you're new to the VLCFF, let us share how it goes: each year we have SEVEN cycles of e-courses that are specially designed to teach you about the Catholic faith, edify & ground your own personal faith, and even prepare you for ministerial or catechetical leadership.

Until JANUARY 14TH, the FIRST cycle of e-courses will be OPEN for registration and awaiting to be filled with eager learners. All you have to do is create a VLCFF profile (if you haven't already before), and you're ready to begin.

Most Cycle 1 e-courses will run for 5 weeks, Jan.19th to Feb. 22nd, and will be led by one of our many friendly facilitators. Here are some of the many English & Español courses you can choose from:

-Bible Basics
-Disabilities in Parish Life
-Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church
-History of Catholic Social Action
-Intro to Paul’s Life and Letters
-This Land is Home to Me: The Cry of Appalachia
-Caminos para conocer el Directorio para la Catequesis
-Comunicación y Comunidad
-Currículo del Idioma Español para el Ministerio Litúrgico
-Introducción a la Espiritualidad Cristiana
-Pastoral Migratoria-Ecologia
-La Fraternidad desde el Evangelio....and many more!!!

Visit https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ to log in, learn about our payment policy, check to see if you're in one of our 70+ partnering dioceses, or browse this year's course calendar..📲

We would love to have you join the VLCFF community!🥰🌐💫
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❗Para obtener más información sobre nuestro ministerio en Español, visite nuestra página VLCFF en Español.

11/19/2025

Beginning Nov. 30th, "Advent: A Holy Waiting," is a 4-week "e-retreat" you can take through the VLCFF!📚🌐✝️ (and there are still seats available for you!)😊💜

Led by one of our friendly facilitators, you will be guided in weekly reflections through Scripture, spiritual reading/listening, prayer, sacred music, and opportunities for shared conversation alongside people of God from around the world. By providing this intentional space for reflecting, we aim to create an oasis of peace for you as we wait for the coming of the Light in a dark, over-busy world.

All for a reduced rate of $20—REGISTER BY NOV. 28th!‼️

HOW TO REGISTER:
First, visit VLCFF.udayton.edu.
Click "Log In" in the upper right corner to create a profile if this is your first time with us, OR login if you've taken courses with us before.
After you’ve logged in, you'll be on the “My VLCFF” page, and you can register by clicking “Register for a Course.”
Once on the Registration page, you'll scroll to find "Advent: A Holy Waiting," and click, "Register" next to it. From there, you'll proceed to follow the registration prompts accordingly.

For any questions or assistance, contact Richard Drabik at [email protected] / 937-229-3874.

Hope to have you on this journey with us!🙏

10/13/2025

‼️UPDATE-- Over the weekend, we received news that His Eminence Cardinal Francis Leo’s father has passed away, and he will no longer be able to visit Dayton for the IMRI + IPI Anniversary events on Oct. 14th, 2025. Even so, while Cardinal Leo cannot be with us, we will continue to celebrate our anniversaries with these adjusted plans:

--The lecture/reception will now feature a presentation by Dr. Neomi De Anda on the topic of Mary and Hope, followed by a Marian Vesper Service. The time/location remain the same. 5:00-7:00 PM. Roger Glass Center for the Arts at the University of Dayton Concert Hall.

--The Eucharistic Mass will also be the same time/location, but will now be celebrated by Fr. Kip Stander. 12:30 pm-1:00 PM. Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. UD Main Campus.

The University of Dayton extends our deepest sympathy to the Cardinal and his family during these days and holds each one in prayer. We also thank you for your understanding and sympathy through these sudden changes.🙏

10/01/2025

As you may have seen, the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (or IPI) & the International Marian Research Institute (or IMRI) are celebrating two very special anniversaries this year (30 years for IPI and 50 years for IMRI)! WOW!🎉🙏💟

Along with the special lecture + reception we posted about (see previous post), Cardinal Francis Leo, of the Archdiocese of Toronto will ALSO be celebrating Mass with us at UD's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, October 14th from 12:30-1pm!

Cardinal Leo is a two-time graduate of UD IMRI and Diocesan Partner of the IPI! We are SO excited to have him visit us here in Dayton, Ohio! We'd be blessed if you could join us!😊✨

09/25/2025

2025 marks 30 YEARS for the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (or "IPI,") and 50 YEARS for the International Marian Research Institute, (or "IMRI"), one of our fellow faith-focused organizations here at UD! WOW! Two very special anniversaries!🎉🙏💟

To celebrate, we have a couple of events coming up next month. 🍁 First, there is a special lecture by Cardinal Francis Leo, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto , entitled, "Mary's Gazes in a Polarized World" in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts at the University of Dayton (followed by a reception!).

Card. Leo is a two-time graduate of UD IMRI and Diocesan Partner of the IPI! We are SO excited to have him visit us here in Dayton!

Please, RSVP for this free event by emailing or calling the contact we put below! We'd be blessed to see you there!😊✨