Pastoral Council

Contact:
DeeAnn Dorrico and George Ribellion: PastoralCouncil@StMatthewNorwalk.org


DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

A decree issued by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and published  mandates that all parishes throughout the diocese establish a parish pastoral council “for the good of the faithful of the diocese.”


VIRTUS INFORMATION

In cooperation and under the directives of our Diocese of Bridgeport, all parishes must participate in Virtus Protecting God’s Children Program.

All St. Matthew Parish volunteers over the age of 18 and employees are required by the Diocese to have a background check and register in a training program, “Protecting God’s Children.”

Volunteers: You may sign up for the class through online registration.
Upon completion of the class, a copy of the certificate must be submitted to the office prior to beginning duties as a volunteer.
Per Fr. Frank Hoffmann, Pastor of St. Matthew, all Ministries, Groups, and Volunteers will recertify every five years.
Any questions, please contact our Parish Office: 203-838-3788, ext. 101.

VIRTUS INFORMATION


PLEASE READ THIS COMPLETE PAGE FOR ALL REQUIREMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MET.

Important “Protecting God’s Children” Diocesan Requirements

Classes are held both in-person and online through the Virtus site.

Using the Virtus online site:
You will need to know your user name and password. You may also initiate your background check on the site.  After logging in, you will see a link in the green banner on the left-hand side that will say Background Check, click the link and it will take you to the site to fill in your information.  You do not need to input your Social Security number if you are a volunteer.  Just enter all 1’s (111-11-1111).  If you do not feel comfortable with this process, you will need to print out one of the forms (also on the site or below) & return it with all your paperwork as noted below.

Anyone who wishes to join a committee or participate in any ministry at St. Matthew Parish must be completely compliant with Protecting God’s Children. In order to be compliant, you must attend a PGC training workshop and fill out the necessary forms.  To register for a Virtus class, please go to Virtus.org and click on Registration.  Please return all paperwork along with a copy of your Virtus card to your parish.

Policy

A newly revised Policy and Procedures Relating to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons or by Lay Employees or Volunteers. This policy is in full accordance with state and federal laws and meets the Standards set forth in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young people. All clergy, employees, volunteers and contract employees of the Diocese of Bridgeport will receive a copy of the policy. This policy is contained within the 2015 Safe Environments Handbook below.

Safe Environment Handbook

Please print the below form that pertains to your affiliation (see paragraph below for clarification).  Sign it and return it to the noted department/person printed on the form.  If you are not sure who to return it to, please bring it to the office where you volunteer:

Lay Volunteers Form

Lay Employees Form 

Independent Contractors, Tenants, & Vendors Form 

Educators & Administrators Form

Religious Sisters & Brothers Form

Clergy & Men in Formation Form

All forms & a copy of your Virtus certificate should be submitted to your primary volunteer or work place for the diocese.  For example, if you participate at a school but not at church, then submit the form to the school for proper verification.  If you participate at both, then give the original to your church and copy the school to let them know that you have fulfilled all requirements.

The following authorization forms for the required background checks are to be used for people who work or volunteer for Diocese of Bridgeport and those who are contracted to perform work for the Diocese of Bridgeport. Please contact the Office of Safe Environment with any questions by mailing eneil@diobpt.org

  • Authorization and Release form for CLERGY (Social Security Number required)
  • Authorization and Release form for EMPLOYEES (Social Security Number required)
  • Authorization and Release form for VOLUNTEERS
    • Volunteers who are not working in scheduled contact with children are required to provide their date of birth however they are not required to provide a social security number on the form although they are strongly encouraged to do so. To bypass this field on the MYB form, the field must be populated with all 1’s (111-11-1111). Failing to provide a Social Security number may result in negative information returning to the Diocese of Bridgeport or it could result in duplicate names. In the event that this occurs, the Diocese of Bridgeport will contact you and you will be required to provide your social security number in order to positively identify you.

Independent Contractors who already have a criminal background check screening process in place through their company should first contact the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of Safe Environment. A letter on official company letterhead signed by an authorized representative of the company (preferably an officer) is required indicating that all site based individuals have successfully completed a criminal background check and they have been cleared of any crimes against children and sex crimes. The full names of all site based employees and the date of their background check must be included in this letter.

In the event that the company does not conduct background checks on their employees, the Diocese of Bridgeport will assist the company with establishing an MYB account below by calling (203) 416-1406.

Authorization and Release form for INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR/VENDOR/TENANT

Consumer Rights on background checks under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

 

Additional information:

Protecting God’s Children – A Quick Reference Guide – English                              

Protecting God’s Children – A Quick Reference Guide – Spanish

Child Lures Prevention— A site dedicated to important information about the protection of our children for over 25 years