Institute for Pastoral Initiatives News

Educate the Global Catholic Church by bringing faith to people and people to faith.

That’s just one of the goals of the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, the online platform where participants can use the knowledge gained for their personal growth or career development.

Jose Gomes, Nigel Thomas and Curtis Cazeau emailed us to share their gratitude. Here are a few excerpts about their online learning experience.

• “The format (asynchronous) allowed me to balance other aspects of my life.”
• “Our opportunity to share and learn from each other helped our growth.” 
• “The facilitators' (instructors) interest in our success was of immeasurable value.” 
•  “The VLCFF format facilitates deep learning and brings participants together as a community.” 
• “Even as a lay minister, the knowledge I received from your courses equipped me with the necessary skills needed to engage my new ministry with confidence.” 

Gomes, Thomas and Cazeau were among 15 candidates conferred to the Permanent Diaconate this year by The Most Reverend Jason Gordon, Archbishop of the Port of Spain.

It was the culmination of studies with the VLCFF that began in 2019, when Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, visited Trinidad for an orientation session.

The Rev. Deacon Gomes told us that being able to participate and share online with the other Deacons helped form a strong bond of brotherhood and friendship.

“I pray the VLCFF will continue to play a key role in helping others to grow in their faith wherever they are in this world, and in whatever area of work they are called to,” Gomes said.

“The work in our vineyard is ahead of us, and we move forward with hope, faith and selfless love for what our Lord has called us to do.”

“Thank you, University of Dayton!”

VLCFF cycle of classes in 2022: March 7, April 25,May 30, July 18,September 5, October 24. See the complete list here.

Thanks to generous donors, scholarships are available for the VLCFF diaconate program. Contact Sr. Angela Ann for details. Again, congratulations to all fifteen Deacons.

Hilary Juan Bengochea (St. Joseph, St. Joseph)

Ian Bourne (Our Lady of Monserrat, Tortuga)

Terrence Ceasar (St. Charles Borromeo, Tunapuna)

Curtis Cazeau (Church of the Assumption, South Oropouche)

Keith Dass (Our Lady of Monserrat, Tortuga)

Joseph 'Jose' Gomes (St. Peter, Carenage)

Dennis Hamid (St. Philip & St. James, Chaguanas)

Joachim Hernandez ( Church of the Holy Spirit, Malabar)

Malcolm Holdip (Church of the Holy Family, Mt. Lambert)

Kelvin Noel (St. Anthony, Point Fortin)

Charles Oliveire (St. John the Baptist, San Juan)

Donald Parris (St. Joseph the Worker, Erin)

Andy Singh (St. Paul, Couva)

Nigel Thomas (St. John the Baptist, San Juan)

Peter Timothy (St. John the Evangelist, Diego Martin)