Back to School
Cycle 6 Begins Soon!

As summer begins to wind down and August settles in, many of us are preparing for a new season: back to school, new routines, and a fresh start. Why not take this time to renew your own journey in faith?

Cycle 6 begins September 8, and it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into online faith formation before summer ends. Whether you're continuing your path toward certification, exploring a new area of interest, or starting for the first time, the VLCFF offers over 250 courses in English, Spanish, and Arabic, all fully online and accessible from anywhere in the world.

No need for a backpack or a bus. Just bring your curiosity and commitment to grow in faith. From theology and Scripture to catechesis and social justice, there’s something for everyone, whether you're a parish volunteer, a pastoral leader, or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith.

Make the most of these final weeks of summer. Registration is open now through September 4. See you in e-class!

A Month for Mary

August offers us a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to the Virgin Mary and deepen our faith as a community. As we dedicate this month to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are invited to reflect on her boundless love, humility, and trust in God’s will. The Feast of the Assumption on August 15th reminds us of the hope and promise that awaits those who follow Christ with a faithful heart, just as Mary did.

Later, as we celebrate the Queenship of Mary on August 22nd, we honor her as our spiritual mother and Queen, always interceding for us and guiding us toward her Son. These special feasts encourage us to open our hearts more fully to God’s grace and to seek Mary’s example in our daily lives. Let us use this month to renew our devotion, pray together, and support one another in faith. Through Mary’s loving intercession, may we grow ever closer to Christ and become instruments of His peace and love in the world.

Learn more about the VLCFF Certificate in Marian Studies.

Build a Culture of Belonging

Last month, the USA celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensured that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else by greatly improving accessibility, inclusion, and protections for individuals with disabilities across America.

In the spirit of this important occasion, the IPI held a bilingual webinar titled, Disabilities in Parish Life: Building a Culture of Belonging. The webinar featured Beth Potts from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) and Esther Garcia, an advocate for the rights of the disabled. Both shared their deep, cross-cultural experience into how we can make our Parishes more welcoming, accessible, and spiritually enriching for all of God’s people, a theme we encourage in our VLCFF students.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, consider enrolling in our Certificate in Ministry with Persons with Disabilities or registering for the upcoming Cycle 6 course, Faith Formation for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Together, we can foster communities where every person is seen, valued, and empowered to fully participate in the life of the Church.

Proclaim a Holy Year

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton, a milestone in faithful service to the Catholic Church since its founding in 1995. For decades under the visionary leadership of Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, the IPI has mobilized UD’s resources to share and articulate the Catholic faith across the globe.This includes the incredible work done by the VLCFF, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year!

Throughout 2025, we have been joyfully celebrating our own kind of jubilee alongside the Church’s Jubilee in Rome. This Holy Year reminds us of Jesus’ mission in the Gospel of Luke: “[to] bring good news to the poor… proclaim liberty to captives… let the oppressed go free, and… proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

Through the work of our staff, collaborators, facilitators, course designers, partners, and students, we strive to live out that mission each day. With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, we continue this year of celebration with open hearts.

As we begin the second half of this exciting celebration, we invite you to hear a special message from University of Dayton President, Dr. Eric Spina. Enjoy!