As part of the Archdiocesan response to the scandal of sexual abuse of children in the Church, the Archdiocesan Office of Child Advocacy, Implementation and Oversight has launched an annual mandatory program that focuses on teaching children basic skills that will help keep them safe in a variety of situations. The curriculum is based on national child safety programs, adapted to incorporate and embrace the message of our Catholic faith to love God, others, and ourselves.
CHILD SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
All children will participate in the safety program, Keeping Children Safe. Classes will be held in January for grades K-7. This program will be led by trained facilitators and will help children recognize appropriate and inappropriate contact with adults and help them develop the skills to communicate with parents and caregivers.
Parents may elect to have their child not attend these sessions. (not recommended)
How Blessed Trinity Parish is Keeping God’s Children Protected and Safe
To know that we are children of God is to live in complete love, with deep abiding security and the ability to dream, to sing, to create, to laugh, and to play without worry. As we grow older, we learn, through sometimes hurtful and damaging experiences, that some people reject the ability that God gave them to love and respect others—they ignore God’s call. At Blessed Trinity Parish we strive to ensure the safety of our children, youth, elderly and disabled brothers and sisters. All volunteers must adhere to the guidelines set forth for the Archdiocese of Boston:
Volunteer Requirements:
NEW! Diocesan Volunteer Application: Please CLICK HERE to fill out the Diocesan Volunteer Application. This form is now required for all volunteers, feel free to download it and fill it out now if you haven't already (only needs to be done once)!
Protecting God’s Children Workshops / VIRTUS (PGC) - All volunteers, age 18 and above, are required to participate in a one-time Protecting God’s Children (PGC) awareness training – regardless of whether or not you work directly with children. If you have attended a workshop elsewhere, please furnish the parish office with a copy of your certificate of attendance. This workshop is offered several times within our parish during the year. If you need to attend a session soon, please CLICK HERE to find a workshop, either at Blessed Trinity or at another parish (Select “Boston, MA Archdiocese” from the drop-down menu). (If you do attend elsewhere, please make sure to provide a copy of your certificate of attendance to the parish office.)
Annual Background Checks - It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Boston that all staff and volunteers (age 18 and above) have an annual background check (CORI). All CORI forms must be verified, in person, using a government issued photo ID. You can do this at the Parish Office during regular office hours. CLICK HERE for the current year's CORI Form.
Code of Ministerial Behavior - It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Boston that all staff and volunteers (age 18 and above) read the Code. CLICK HERE to read the Code.
Sexual Harassment Policy - All volunteers are asked to review this policy. This is updated on an annual basis. Please CLICK HERE for the most recent version of this document.
Child Protection Policy - Please CLICK HERE to view the recently updated policy of the Archdiocese of Boston. This applies to all clergy, archdiocesan personnel and all volunteers who minister, work or serve within the Archdiocese of Boston.