VIRTUS
Protecting God's Children

In September, 2003, St. Michael the Archangel began implementing the VIRTUS program which is a program designed to prevent and protect children from child sexual abuse. This program is being required throughout the Archdiocese and is in response to the United States Catholic Bishops request that all diocese demonstrate they are working to present child sexual abuse. The educational component of this program is called "Protecting God's Children." All adults in the parish who work and vounteer around children are required to take this awareness session, and we are encouraging all adults in our faith community to consider taking an awareness session. To date, we have trained approximately 300 people who are currently working in ministries that serve the children in our parish. This includes priests, school staff, parish staff, Religious Education, Little One's Worship and nursery volunteers. The class is designed to help us prevent child sexual abuse by being aware of the environment and minimizing risk factors. In addition, it teaches us to recognize suspicious behaviour and warning signs of abuse.

Not only do we believe this helps us to be a better parish and to better serve the children in our faith community but we believe it will help each of you serve children in all aspects of your life. It is excellent information for parents to have to make you more aware of your own children. In addition, most parents are around children in many roles (scouting, coaching, and public schools) and the information will be put to use in all facets of your life.

Our parish is dedicated to providing children with the safest environment possible. All adults are protectors of children and it is your role in the community to keep your eyes and ears open. The Protecting God's Children awareness session will help you be a better protector of God's precious gifts, our children.

Whether you work with children on a daily, weekly, or a once a year basis, we ask that you register for a session.

Please follow these instructions:

1. Using the internet, go to www.virtusonline.org
2. On the left side of the page - click on Registration (yellow letters). This screen asks for a registration password, type trust and click on Enter
3. This screen asks you to select your organization. Click the down arrow and click on Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and then click the select button.
4. Choose the I would like to attend a Protecting God's Children session
5. Complete the registration form that appears. The User ID and Password you select will be used in the future (you will need to know this for the future). The "your location" refers to St. Michael the Archangel. After all required fields have been filled in, click Submit.
6. This screen displays a list of the Awareness Sessions scheduled. Click the circle next to the Protecting God's Children for Adults session you prefer and click the Submit Registration button.
7. You should see a screen that says "Thank you for registering"
8. You have completed the registration process.

Please note that there are many sessions going on in the Archdiocese and you may register for any one that you wish. If you do not have internet access, please contact Denise Ogilvie at 402-3949 so we can register you another way. Upon completion of the class, we will ask you to fill out and return to us the Child Protection Form and the Ethical Conduct Form. If you have any questions, please contact the Christian Education Office.