Protecting God’s Children

The safety and protection of children is a concern we all share and one to which the Catholic Church is strongly committed. In fall of 2003, the Archdiocese of Chicago initiated policies and procedures to ensure confidence that anyone who is ministering in our parishes and schools can be trusted with our children. The Archdiocese will conduct random compliance check through the Archdiocese and we ask your help as we prepare our files to be ready for inspection at any time.

All employees and volunteers who have contact with children must complete the following four requirements.
1. Online Criminal Background Check
2. VIRTUS/Protecting God's Children training session. A VIRTUS Certificate is kept in the employee/volunteer personnel file.
3. CANTS form. A Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System form. A Parish/School liaison sends the original to Springfield and a copy is kept in the volunteer/personnel file.
4. Code of Conduct Acknowledgment form. A signed copy is kept in the personnel/volunteer file.

You are asked to contact the parish staff liaison (see below) to find out details on how you can complete the above requirements. The staff person can also help in determining whether or not all the necessary documentation is on file. These requirements are meant to safeguard children but also to protect you in your ministry. Please know the Archdiocese is serious about all employees and volunteers meeting these requirements and we are complying with these requirements.

We all need to be about providing a safe environment for our children as we work with them. Many thanks for all you do for our children and youth and for our parish.

Sincerely,

Fr. William Sheridan, Pastor


SFX Liaisons for Protecting God's Children:
School Employees/Volunteers--Marge Kaup (margekaup@sfx-school.org)
PREP Volunteers--Sr. Casey (sfxprep@comcast.net)
Children's Liturgy of the Word and Altar Servers--Fr. Mariusz (sfxfrmariusz@hotmail.com)
Children & Youth Choir Volunteers--Kieran Lyons (sfxkieran@comcast.net)
Scouts and ACTION--Patty Jane Pelton (sfxaction@comcast.net)
Music Volunteers--Jo Ebert (jebsing@sbcglobalnet)


Chicago Archdiocesan Requirements


*Click here for information about reporting allegations of abuse.