PROTECTING
GOD'S CHILDREN (VIRTUS)
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Do you, in
connection with the staff or volunteer work you
do for our parish (or school), interact with
children, even if only occasionally?
If the answer to
this question is YES, you should select one of
the fall 2007 dates for the VIRTUS “Protecting
God’s Children” presentation. This presentation,
which is mandated by the Archdiocese, helps all
of us become aware of the dangers relating to
child abuse.
This fall the
program will be offered by all of the parishes
that serve Medford. If you are a volunteer or
staff member that has not yet attended a
Protecting God’s Children presentation you may
attend any one of the following scheduled
sessions:
Sept. 13, 7:00 PM - Saint Joseph Parish
(Contact: 781 396-0423, Joe Feltz or Betty
Guerra)
Sept. 27, 7:00 PM - Saint
Francis of Assisi Parish
(Contact: 781
396-3400, Fran Mavko)
Oct 27, 9:00 AM. –
Immaculate Conception Parish
(Contact: 781
324-4941, Sr. Margo Shea or Elaine Connelly)
Oct. 29, 7:00 PM – Saint
Raphael Parish
(Contact: 781
483-1139, Ginny McCabe or Margo Malone)
Nov. 1, 10:00 AM – Saint
Clements Parish
Contact: 781
393-5600 x17, Lucia Papile)
It is necessary
that you call and pre-register at the location
you plan to attend. Allow a minimum of two hours
for the presentation. Each attendee will receive
a certificate evidencing attendance.
Members of the
Saint Joseph CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) team
all have received special training and are
qualified to facilitate Protecting God’s
Children presentations. |
“Protecting God’s Children” is a VIRTUS program promoted by
the Archdiocese of Boston to train and educate parish adults
to become more aware of the dangers of child abuse, the
signs of abuse, the ways to prevent abuse, and the methods
to properly report suspicions of abuse.
The
program consists of the viewing of two videos, followed by
discussions of each. Normally a “refreshment break” is
included. The entire program usually lasts from two to two
and one half hours.
“Protecting God’s Children” presentations are conducted by
members of the parish who have gone through a two-day
facilitators training program.
All
adult parish and school employees, and all adult parish and
school volunteers who interact with children, no matter how
minimal, are required to attend a “Protecting God’s
Children” session.
Usually
sessions are conducted co-operatively in each of the area
parishes in the Fall and the Spring. The locations, dates,
and times of presentations in the Medford area will be
published in the parish bulletin, the parish web site, and
Archdiocesan web site, when known.
Should
you have specific questions about the “Protecting God’s
Children” program… or should you wish to consider becoming a
trained facilitator… contact Joe Feltz at
jhfeltz@comcast.net
or at the parish office (781) 396-0423.The trained
facilitators at Saint Joseph are Joe Feltz and Nancy Carney.
Links:
Archdiocese of Boston Office of Child Advocacy:
www.RCAB.org
Virtus:
www.virtusonline.org
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