Our talks and workshops
NOTE: Previously active talks and workshops are currently being phased out
At Virtue Ministry, we cater to adult human formation of varying levels. We understand not everyone experiences the world through the same lens as us, and we tailor our sessions to suit your group or community. Whilst upholding Christian values of love, respect and dignity - we strive to meet people where they are at.
What is Virtue?
The beginning and end of Virtue is always Love. So, to answer this question, we first look at 'what is love?', and why the opposite of love is not hate, but use. We explore various thoughts and answer where habits come into play, and both how and why we grow in virtue — tying the question, why Virtue is essential for Holiness?
Workshop: Includes group and community appropriate exploration of personal values, beliefs about self and life goals.
Suitable for: ALL
Self-Knowledge
The hardest and most crucial skill necessary to learn to grow in virtue, is self-reflection. In this session we begin to look at 'What is self-knowledge?' and its place in the life of holiness. Using different tools of learning about self, this session includes a guided exploration of strengths and weaknesses, including temperaments, in order to grow in self-knowledge individually AND as a community. This talk will also increase community cohesion and unity. The session is directly linked back to our relationship with Christ.
Suitable for: Any adult group or community
Foundational Virtues
Each of the four foundational virtues of justice, temperance, fortitude and prudence are explored in separate workshops.
In each workshop, the virtue is outlined including the areas in which the four virtues work together and overlap. The workshop involves an interactive exploration of ways we can exercise and grow in these virtues particularly in relationship with others. This workshop is tailored to a particular relationship (selected by the host) ie. Friendship, work setting, family, couples/marriage, or religious community.
Suitable for: Any adult group or community
The 7 capital Sins
This interactive workshop looks at the various elements of the 7 capital sins (pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth) including what someone struggling from each sin might prioritise. Then we explore their opposing virtues, what Christ teaches us from the cross about these virtues and ways in which we can exercise and grow in each of these areas.
Suitable for: Seminary students and those in active ministry.
Coming SOON
Supernatural Virtues vs Natural Virtue
In this session we take a closer look at the gift of the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity (Love). These gifts drive and direct us to God. Though given to us as gifts, they require our full cooperation in order to grow, and the human virtues assist in this growth in the moral life.
Suitable for: Seminaries and those in active ministry
Virtue-led Leadership
In this session we explore the misconceptions of leadership including seeing the difference between a simply assertive person and an authentic leader. We also explore ways in which we can become leaders in our own lives, and the integral part character development plays into this.
The workshop includes identifying personal strengths, areas for growth and a model of leadership.
Suitable for: Those is active ministry inc. Youth ministers
Building Resilience
This talk/workshop will identify 8 ways we can become more resilient in our lives AND teach our children to build resilience. The workshop is geared towards a foundation of parents being rooted in their identity as a beloved child of God, and an awareness of the challenges life may have imposed on them. Followed by 8 specific and practical areas for growth in both mindset and spirituality, and way's these translate into parenting children.
Tailored for: Mother's ONLY, Father's ONLY, OR Parent/Caregiver Session
Sincere Friendship
Friendship is a relationship seldom spoken about and often expected to be taught by the playground. But in fact, friendship has certain universal qualities and others which have become apparent to be missing in our current times. We explore what a sincere friend is and how we can become one. We also help to identify toxic and un-healthy patterns and ways in which we can draw healthy friendships from the communities we-re part of.
Suitable for: Seminaries and Communities
COMING SOON
PREVENTING MINISTRY BURN OUT
In this session we compare a Christian outlook on flourishing based on human dignity vs modern day self-care practices. The workshop will delve into long-term stress, compassion fatigue and burn out as well as identify some of the pitfalls for those in active ministry.
Suitable for: Seminaries and those in active ministry
Other
Our speakers are always excited to explore topic areas if your institution, or event organisers have particular needs.
The following are some topics our presenters have spoken on previously;
Stina Constantine
- Jesus, I trust in you - Called from Norway to Australia, to face unjust deportation (Personal Testimony)
- YesYear turned FIATLife.
- ‘I thirst’ – Love on the cross
- Battleground of the mind (Capturing lies)
- Being a Christian in the a post-Christian workspace and educational setting.
- Work ethic and sanctifying work
- Jealousy & Envy (for Women ONLY)
- Beauty; physical and the interior (Women ONLY)
Andrew Flores
- Personal Testimony; from lukewarm to being plucked as diocesan Youth Worker.
- Fight the Good Fight
- Marriage (secular and sacred perspectives)
- Life of a husband and father
- Young Catholic professionals entering the workforce
- Being a Catholic University student
- Classroom lessons into Virtue
Virtue Challenge
This session begins with a personal testimony from the speaker about the impact of the challenge spiritually, growth in character as well as practical implications. We then walk though a step-by-step guide on the How and why of the virtue challenge as well as the practicals for being successful and potential pitfalls to look out for.
Workshop: Creating a practical plan to implement beyond the session for growing in Virtue
Suitable for: ALL
Ambassadors
What does it mean to be an ambassador for something? Before we can each answer what our role as ambassadors should be, we need to first know what our Mission and Purpose in life is. From here we discuss flourishing, success, and happiness as gifts along the way of fighting for and working towards human excellence.
One practical element of being an Ambassador involves public speaking. This workshop will include public speaking skills and opportunities for students to practice what they are taught.
Suitable for: Middle Primary School through to High School
Your True Self – (Split stream)
Feminine/ Daughter – Feminine genius (female only)
This session explores the heart of a daughter and what it reveals about God, as well as his love. As we take a walk through the garden of Eden, we explore the profound dignity that is the crown of creation, as well as the genius in the way we relate to another. This session also explores different facets of the culture that attempts to undermine and tarnish the heart of woman, and ways to overcome this.
Workshop: Age appropriate exploration of who am I as a daughter of God, who is another woman to me, and what do I have to offer this world?
Suitable for: 14+
Your True Self – (Split stream)
Masculine/ Son – Masculine Brilliance (male only)
This session explores the heart of a son and what it reveals about God, as well as his love. As we take a walk through the garden of Eden, we explore the profound calling placed upon man, as well as the brilliance in the way we live among others on this earth. In this session we explore different facets of the culture that tries to tame the strength of a man’s heart by undermining it, and we instead offer ways to guide and steer this same heart towards the heroism that he is made for.
Workshop: Age-appropriate exploration of 'who I am as a Son of God, who am I in relation to another'? And, 'what is the mission set before me?'
Suitable for: Age 14+
How we relate to one another (presenter swap) — Complementarity
My Brother’s Keeper (female audience, male presenter).
This session explores ‘Why we need each other’ and the need for Complementarity, not just sameness. We take a walk through the Garden of Eden through the eyes of Adam and explore the nature of the original design as a cherished and delighted sister in Christ. Through an exploration of modern wounds played out from the fall – the heart of a man (VM Speaker) boldly speaks words of truth and healing to his sisters before him. The women are invited to embrace their calling to wholeness as ‘women and daughters’ of God.
Suitable for: Age 14+
My Sister’s Keeper (male audience, female presenter).
This session explores ‘Why we need each other’ and the need for Complementarity, not just sameness. We take a walk through the Garden of Eden through the eyes of Eve and explore the nature of the original design and her need for Adam’s brilliance, including being the fierce guardian of a woman’s heart. Through an exploration of modern wounds played out from the fall – the heart of a woman (VM Speaker) pours of truth and healing to her brothers before her. The men are left with a calling to embrace their wholeness as ‘men and sons’ of God.
Suitable for: Age 14+