Lay Pastoral Ministry Program
Welcome to the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program of the Ballarat Diocese
“The VLCFF is a pioneer in the e-learning field, delivering 24/7 remote classes to dioceses worldwide long before the Covid 19 pandemic prompted schools to go online and offer hybrid learning.”
Eric F. Spina
University of Dayton President
The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is an initiative that provides adult religious education and faith formation opportunities anytime and anywhere through online learning. Its mission is to support the Church’s ministry of religious education and formation in the digital space. The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton.
Explore the subjects available in each cycle!
Cycle 1 for 2026 begins on January 19, with registrations open until January 14. This cycle offers 32 subjects across a 5-week period—there’s sure to be something that fits your interests.
Cycle 2 begins on March 9, 2026, with 15 e-seminars delivered over just 3 weeks.
See below for further details …
The Lay Pastoral Ministry Program provides opportunities for formation, support, study, and certification for lay pastoral employees and volunteers in the Ballarat Diocese, offered in partnership with the Virtual Learning Community at the University of Dayton.
Information about the Ballarat Diocese Lay Pastoral Ministry Program can be found in the documents attached below.
Please contact us to discuss your current ministry involvement or your hopes for future ministry so we can assist you in discerning the right formation pathway. Explore the Virtual Learning Program here
Information for participants in the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program:
New participants wishing to register to study in the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program should complete the Application Form
If you’d like to sample a course before you commit, you can do so here.
Documents for download:
Dates for 2026:
- Cycle 1: Jan 19 – Feb 22 Registrations open Oct 29
- Cycle 2: Mar 09 – Mar 29 Registrations open Jan 21 (3-week e-seminars only)
- Cycle 3: Apr 13 – May 17 Registrations open Mar 11
- Cycle 4: Jun 01 – Jul 05 Registrations open Apr 15
- Cycle 5: Jul 20 – Aug 23 Registrations open Jun 3
- Cycle 6: Sep 07 – Oct 11 Registrations open Jul 22
- Cycle 7: Oct 26 – Nov 29 Registrations open Sep 09
Click the links above to view subjects available in each Cycle.
Participant reviews:
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For more information please contact:
Lay Pastoral Ministry Program Facilitator
Djurdja Klaric
Ph: 5337 7121
email: djurdja.klaric@ballarat.catholic.org.au