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It’s Everyone’s Responsibility to
Protect God’s Children
St. Blase, along with all other churches in the Archdiocese of
Detroit, is committed to providing safe environments for children
and youth. During the past three years, we’ve offered a special
workshop called “Protecting God’s Children” and have
required catechists and others to file
a “Criminal History Background Check Form.” In accord
with the Archdiocese, the time has come to implement a new policy
so that children everywhere can be kept safe. This is not just for
catechists anymore. It is even for persons who minister only once
a year at MCREST or Summer Circle.
Attending a “Protecting God’s
Children” Workshop:
You may register two ways. If you have internet access, go
to www.virtus.org. Find
a date and a session that suit your schedule. Sessions held
at St. Blase will be publicized in advance in The
Flame Bulletin. Click on “registration” in the
left column. Then, follow the instructions. You will have
to create a User ID and Password for the virtus site. For
a User ID, we suggest your name in all lowercase (such as
marysmith) and for a password, just your last name (smith).
If you do not have internet access, the parish office can
go online to register you. Please complete the
form found in The Flame and return it. Also, please mark
your calendars. No further reminders will be sent.
*** If these dates are not convenient for you, you can attend
the “Protecting God’s Workshop” at any parish
in the Archdiocese—just register in the same manner as
above and
file a copy of your certificate with the parish office.
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Therefore, by June of 2007, in accordance with the Archdiocese,
it will be mandatory that all persons, ages 16 and older that minister
in any of the following groups listed below, be required to:
- Complete a “Criminal
History Background Check Form”
- Receive a “Volunteer
Code of Conduct”.
- Participate in a “Protecting God’s Children Workshop”
offered anywhere (Office will require you to bring in a copy of
your certificate if you’ve attended offsite.)
- Note: Volunteers ages 16 to 18 are required to have parental
permission to attend the workshop and to have a criminal history
background check.
These are just some of the groups that must complete the requirements
above by June of 2007 in order to continue in their ministries:
- Babysitters
- VIP Choir, Remnant Choir, Teens Loving Christ members &
Musicians
- Kingdom Chorus Parents & Musicians
- Summer Circle Volunteers
- Catechists, Aides and Assistants
- U.N.I.T.Y. Youth Team
- CLW Ministers
- Knights of Columbus
- Circle of Families & their teens age 16 and older
- MCREST Volunteers
- Warming Center Volunteers
- Altar Server Coordinator
Persons strongly urged to attend the “Protecting God’s
Workshop”:
- Scout Leaders
- ALL PARENTS, GUARDIANS or GRANDPARENTS
While several of these groups seemingly do not involve children,
a closer look at activities shows otherwise. Choirs gather together
several times during the year for special liturgies; Knights of
Columbus sponsors a family Christmas Party; MCREST & Warming
Center may include children participants; etc.
CLICK HERE for a PDF reprint of the Code
of Pastoral Conduct For Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators,
Staff and Volunteers from the Archdiocese of Detroit.
CLICK HERE for a PDF reprint of the Criminal
Background Check Authorization Form available from the Archidiocese
of Detroit.
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