Virtus Training For Volunteers

If you are a volunteer and 18 years, or older, in any of the Tri-Parish programs listed below (groups that have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults) and have not yet attended a training session of the “Virtus – Protecting God’s Children” program, please pick up an instruction sheet on how to register on the tables at the Church entrances.

Advanced registration is required at http://www.virtus.org/. We have two local sessions scheduled for all volunteers of the Tri-Parish community (St Mary, St. Michael, St Charles, SCCS, and SCCFF) on Monday, September 24, in St. Michael’s Social Hall and also on Tuesday, October 16, in St. Michael’s Social Hall.  Both of these sessions will last approximately 3 hours, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  You will only have to attend one. It is important that you arrive on time for this training. 
If you do not have internet access, please RSVP to the office through which you volunteer by September 14, so an online registration can be completed for you. If you cannot attend one of these sessions, you may register for another session located throughout the Archdiocese. More dates and locations are available at http://www.virtus.org/. 

This training is important for two reasons: it is the right thing to do to heighten awareness of the need to provide children, youth and vulnerable adults with safe environments, especially within the church; and because the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is mandating that each diocese provide such programs.   This is one of three compliance steps all volunteers must complete.  Any volunteer who does not attend a Virtus session, sign a Code of Conduct form, and agree to a background check will not be able to volunteer with children in any school, faith formation, or parish program.

Attendance will be required for volunteers in the following groups:  ALL SCCS & SCCFF volunteers and chaperones (classroom, fieldtrip, coaches, etc.), BeFrienders, Legion of Mary, Sunday Nursery volunteers, all childcare providers, Catholic Worker Group, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Cub, Boy and Girl Scout Leaders, Children’s Choir volunteers, and John Paul II Player adult volunteers. 

NOTE:  If you have attended a Virtus Training session in previous years you do not have to attend another one.