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Safe Enviornment

The Enhanced Essential 3 Requirements for Volunteers

A key to our commitment to promoting a safe environment in our parishand community is for all persons in positions of trust in regard to minors and vulnerable adults to fufill the Enhanced Essential 3 requirements (EE3) as set forth by the Archdiocese of St Paul & Minneapolis. The EE3 relates to 1) the Code of Conduct, 2) safe environment training (VIRTUS) and 3) background checks, with re-credentialing required every three years. 

You can complete a background check, register for a VIRTUS session, as well as read and sign a Code of Conduct online at the VIRTUS Website.  If you are a new volunteer, follow the Registration Instructions for New Volunteers.  If you are a current volunteer, follow the Log-in Guide for Current Volunteers.

All adult volunteers in this Archdiocese who have ongoing contact with minors and/or vulnerable adults are required to:

  1. Complete the online background check
  2. Attend a VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children for Adults session
  3. Complete Code of Conduct training and Mandatory Reporting training online. Read and sign the online Code of Conduct for adult volunteers

These are mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for volunteers and staff alike to help protect children and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care. Some examples of volunteers who need to attend a VIRTUS session are:

  • Catechists
  • Elementary Program Volunteers
  • Youth Ministry Volunteers
  • Nursery Workers
  • Volunteers for Hope for the Journey Shelter
  • Liturgy of the Word Volunteers
  • *any who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults

VIRTUS session, complete an online background check,  and read and sign the online Code of Conduct, please visit the VIRTUS Website. It is very important that you pre-register for a VIRTUS session to make sure your attendance is counted. Pre-registration also allows the Archdiocese to contact you if your session is canceled. If none of the sessions offered at St Rita's work within your schedule, please feel free to choose another session listed on the VIRTUS website hosted at another parish. There are dozens of other sessions scheduled throughout the Archdiocese, and you may register for any session.

If you would like more information about the safe environment policy and requirements, please contact Rory Gilbert via email or visit the Archdiocese's website and click on "The Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment."

Important Documents and Forms

Registration Instructions for New Volunteers

Log-in Guide for Current Volunteers

Requirements for Youth Volunteers and Reference Forms

Code of Conduct for Youth Volunteers

 

St Rita's Safe Environment Coordinator is Rory Gilbert, if you have questions about your volunteer status you can email or call him at the parish office 651-459-4596