The Valley Catholic September 10, 2019 | Page 3

tvc.dsj.org | September 10, 2019 IN THE DIOCESE 3 Diocese of San José Safe Environment Requirements By Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults The Diocese of San José remains steadfast in its commitment to main- taining a safe environment for our children in Catholic schools and par- ishes. As outlined in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we recognize that clergy, Diocesan personnel, volunteers, parents, and youth play a critical role in safety and prevention. Thus, it is important that we are all aware of our safe environ- ment requirements and responsibilities as delineated in diocesan procedures, policies, and codes of conduct. All clergy and Diocesan personnel, as well as any adult volunteers who serve in positions of trust with children and/or vulnerable adults, must go through: 1. the proper background screen- ing requirements and 2. complete a diocesan safe en- vironment training every three years covering indicators of abuse, grooming behaviors, and reporting process. The s a fe e nv i ron me nt t ra i n- ing - which is available in English, Spa n ish, a nd Viet namese - may be completed through VIRTUS © at www.virtusonline.org. Dates for live training options can be found at www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children. Further, all parish and school per- sonnel, including clergy, are Mandated Reporters and are required by state law to report any reasonable suspicion of immediately (or as soon as practically possible within 24 hours). However, anyone who has reason to believe or sus- pects that a child has been or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities. The safe environment training is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and may be completed through VIRTUS © at www.virtusonline.org. Additional information can be found at www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children. child abuse, sexual or otherwise, to civil authorities. Failure to report a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable in California by six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. Additionally, adult volunteers are considered Ethical Reporters. It is the responsibility of Ethical Reporters to report any suspicions of abuse to a Diocesan staff member on site, who is then responsible for reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities Students, both in our private schools and faith formation programs from Kin- dergarten through 12th grade, annually participate in a VIRTUS® Catholic Safe Environment Curriculum lesson. This program is founded on the principles of appropriate relationship boundar- ies in the broader context of Christian values. All lessons are age-appropriate, and help children and youth develop the vocabulary and boundary distinc- tions necessary to empower them to begin to recognize inappropriate be- havior by others and tell a safe adult. Parents are encouraged to continue the conversation at home and can find helpful resources and lesson plans at www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children/ virtus-resources-for-teachers-catechist. If you would like to volunteer at a parish or school and are not yet compli- ant with all requirements, please take a moment to contact your site’s volunteer coordinator to begin the process. As always, the Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults is also available to answer your ques- tions at [phone] or via email at [email protected]. The Diocese of San José encour- ages anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Roman Catholic Church to contact law enforcement. In addition, the Diocese of San José- Office for the Protection on Vulnerable Adults provides support services. Please contact Griselda Cervantez, Victim Assistance Coordinator & Prevention Advocate, at [phone] or email [email protected]. Addition- al reporting information is available on the Diocesan website at www.dsj.org/ protecting-gods-children/reporting- abuse-misconduct. Please continue to pray for the end of all abuse and a greater respect of the dignity of the human person. 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign Begins September 25 Here’s the story of one woman’s return to her faith after participating in the Walk for Life. “At my third year at the West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco last Janu- ary, I was overcome with the massive attendance of loving souls gathering, praying, and walking–very safely–to end the sin of abortion.” Alberta grate- fully reverted to her Catholic faith after forty years away, when she was “look- ing for love in all the wrong places.” And she’s never been happier than she is now worshiping at the traditional Latin Mass of her childhood. Alberta believes that every life is precious and a gift from God: “What if Beethoven or Marie Curie had been aborted? It is so very important that we pray and work for the end of this killing, because of all human rights, the first is the right to life. Therefore I have tried to pray the Holy Rosary at the Naglee Avenue Planned Parenthood at least once a week during the 40 Days cam- paigns for the last three years. I haven’t personally experienced any dramatic change of heart by a woman considering abortion, but one experience touched me. A very nice young man was doing his early morning jog up the Alameda, stopped at the light and thanked us for our presence. He asked if he could join us praying a decade of the Rosary; we were grateful to him and afterward he continued his run.” Alberta believes that God hears our prayers, “We merely need to ask respectfully, gratefully, and constantly. Please find in your heart the desire to be present and pray to end the killing of innocents, sixty million preborns in our country so far.” The 40 Days for Life Fall campaign runs from Sept. 25 until Nov. 3. Visit 40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/ san-jose-2 for more details. September 20-22 Married Couples Non-Silent Retreat in English (Sponsored by Teams of Our Lady): Father Serge Propst, OP - Living with Grace October 11-13 A.A. & Al-Anon Women: Contact Colleen [phone] November 1-3 Retiro No Silencioso en Español 1 (Mujeres): Padre Eugenio Aramburp - Bendito Sea El Señor, Que Hizo Maravillas November 8-10 Retiro No Silencioso en Español 2 (Hombres y Mujeres): Padre Roberto Vera - Somos El Pueblo De La Alianza December 6-8 Men’s & Women’s Silent Retreat: Daughters of Carmel Nuns - Be Still and Know That I Am God To register call [phone] or email [email protected] 831-423-8093 • www.stclaresretreat.com Email: [email protected] Staffed by Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows