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                                   Safe Environment Program

As a pastoral leader, employee or serving as a volunteer of St. Mary’s, a person is required to participate in the “VIRTUS:  Protecting God’s Children Program.” 

The Virtus Program fulfills the requirements for safe environment training required for all pastoral leaders, employees and volunteers with regular contact with children or vulnerable adults.  Virtus is the brand name that identifies best practiced  programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote “right doing” within religious organizations.  The VIRTUS program  empowers organizations and people to better control risk as well as safeguard and protect the  lives of all those who interact with the Church.

All volunteers of St. Mary’s  who work with children/vulnerable adults, are required to participate in a background check, acknowledge receipt of the Sexual Misconduct Policy/Code of Conduct of the Diocese of New Ulm, and participate in the initial Virtus Training Session.  Once a person has participated in the training session, volunteers continue their training annually online.  Sessions will be offered on a regular basis throughout the Diocese.  You may check the diocesan website:  www.dnu.org, contact St. Mary’s office at 235-0118, or call the diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator at (507) 359-2966 for more information.