Many have inquired regarding the Small Group Leader Safe Environment protocols shared in the Practical Formation Day videos this past November. Thank you for your candor and feedback and the Office of Synod Evangelization acknowledges that some of the Archdiocesan guidelines might seem counter-intuitive to the work of relational evangelization. Please note that these are not Parish Evangelization Cell (PECS) guidelines. These are in fact the existing guidelines developed with Catholic Mutual, the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, and the Chancellor for Civil Affairs for our Archdiocese pertaining to ANY off-site parish-sponsored event, PECS or otherwise.
While risk mitigation is of the utmost importance, especially as it pertains to the safety of our youth, as well as all parishioners or guests at parish-sponsored events, all protocols must be read through the lenses of prudence and common sense. To this end, we’ve prepared the attached Frequently Asked Questions document, along with the documents needed for Small Group Leaders meeting offsite.
And with this prayerful prudence in mind, remember:
- Always have in mind the safety and status of the most vulnerable among us, especially youth and vulnerable adults.
- Use common sense and be alert to food safety guidelines, especially to potential allergies such as nuts, dairy, or gluten intolerance.
- Be mindful of and responsive to the weather conditions; keep walkways and stairs clear of ice and snow. Discern whether or not meetings should be postponed.
- Recognize the responsibility of each participating member in the care and wellbeing of one another, as members in the shared Body of Christ, our Church.
Resources for Safe Environment:
