Safe Environment

Thank you for showing an interest in volunteering at St. Catharine Church and/or the Academy of Our Lady school.  The Archdiocese of Newark’s Safe Environment Policy has THREE requirements for all volunteers and employees (18 years and older) who work with children in any programs sponsored by our parish or school.  This includes CCD teachers and aides, CYO chaperones, HSA members, coaches, classroom, lunch & library volunteers, class parents, Scout leaders, and any others working with children.

For the safety of our children, all volunteers must meet the three requirements listed below:

1. Attend a workshop entitled, 'Protecting God's Children'.  This requirement must be re-certified every five years either by attending the new 'Keeping the Promise Alive' workshop, reattending the 'Protecting God's Children' workshop or commiting to online training for the three year period beginning with the attendance of the first workshop.
2. Complete a 'Volunteer Application' , read the 'Archdiocesan Code of Conduct' and sign/print/return the last page of the Conduct document,.
3. Complete a Criminal Background check.

Details on each is provided below: 

• Volunteers that are NEW to PGC should register online for a workshop. Go to www.virtusonline.org, select ‘Registration’ and follow the instructions. Choose a convenient location and session.  Once you have completed the class, please submit a copy of your PGC certificate to the Rectory. 
• Volunteers who have PREVIOUSLY TAKEN PGC need to re-certify every 5 years.   These volunteers need to contact Maryann King (see contact information below) for their original VIRTUS ‘User ID’, which is needed to register for a subsequent workshop. Please DO NOT sign up for a new ‘User ID’ as this creates a duplicate account and complicates re-certification.  Contact Maryann King for information regarding the online re-certification option.

Complete a Volunteer Application and Read/Sign Archdiocesan Code of Conduct
These two required forms are available at the rectory or online here.  Please fill out the Volunteer Application in its entirety – especially pages 4-5 with appropriate initials and signatures.  This form must be returned to the Rectory or may be scanned and emailed back to Maryann King (see contact information below).  The Volunteer Application may be downloaded here.  The Archdiocesan Code of Conduct form may be downloaded here.  Please note that only the last page needs to be printed (and signed/returned).

Complete a Criminal Background Check
Please provide your email address to Maryann King at the Rectory (see contact information below)  She will then instruct Verified Volunteers (our background check company) to email you a link to perform your background check.  You will do this on your own and then will receive an email notification once it is complete - there is no cost to you for this.  Background checks are valid for five years.  After five years, you must run another background check.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in ensuring that we always provide a safe environment for all children in our church and school.

If you have any questions, please contact Maryann King, our Local Safe Environment Coordinator (contact information shown below).