The recent Feast of Pentecost and this weekend’s Gospel of sending forth the disciples, provides us with a sense of renewal around our engagement with our parish community. It also provides us with a great opportunity to acknowledge the many parishioners who support our various ministries.
Across our parishes, we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our care. We also recognise that children, young people and vulnerable adults may require additional safeguards where they are respected, where their voices are heard and where they feel safe, and are safe. Every person who shares in the work of our parishes plays a part in realising this commitment.
There are ways that we can embrace and contribute to a culture of participation, wellbeing and safety for our whole community, especially children, young people and vulnerable people. Let’s take a look at the work done so far across our three parishes:
- A Child Safe Organisation’s self-assessment tool provided by Catholic Professional Standards Limited (CSPL) was completed in 2020 to identify priority areas for improvement in our child safety policies, procedures and practices.
- The Terms of Reference for a Safeguarding Committee was approved by the Parish Councils in 2020.
- The existing Surrey Hills Wattle Parish Safeguarding Committee moved to a combined team overseeing safeguarding across the three parishes.
- Parish Council and parish staff meetings have Safeguarding as a permanent agenda item.
- Regular communication with parishioners in the parish newsletter and websites about safeguarding initiatives and involvement by the whole community.
- Current background checks, such as Working with Children Checks and National Police Certificates, for parishioners involved in parish activities and ministries.
These upcoming safeguarding initiatives seek your involvement:
- Clarity around your role in parish ministry, including how you support child safeguarding values in practice: role descriptions are being developed to ensure that they are well-defined and that the responsibilities are clear for those assisting with parish life. These will be shared with you shortly. We look forward to your input and acknowledge the contributions so far of our Sacristans and members of liturgical ministry groups who have already provided valuable feedback during the process of reviewing these roles.
- Understand the Parish Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct around which our parishes operate. This code of conduct assists in setting clear expectations of appropriate behaviour of all those engaged in parish programs, activities and events and those involved in ministry roles and activities are asked to acknowledge and renew this each year.
- Participation in regular training around awareness of child safety responsibilities and reporting requirements. A link to an online training module will be provided shortly.
In the coming weeks, liturgical rosters will be distributed, along with a copy of the relevant role description and the Parish Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct.
Involvement in parish ministry and activities is always welcome and we hope that having these role descriptions available may give you an opportunity to consider where you may be able to assist in the life of the parish. If you would like to join any of our parish ministries, activities or would like to find out more about involvement in parish life, please contact the Parish Office.
