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Holy Spirit would like to welcome you to our parish whether as a
staff member or a volunteer; we are all important elements of a successful
parish. We consider you an important and valued member of our parish. We
appreciate your gift of “time, treasure and talent” in the service of this
community. All administrators, staff and volunteers must uphold Christian values
and conduct. All of us can inspire and motivate people, however at all times we
need to be aware of our responsibilities that accompany our work. God’s goodness
and grace supports us in our ministry.
A new law was enacted in Ohio on March 22, 2001. This new law directly affects
religious organizations including Churches, Parish Schools and Parish Schools of
Religion with volunteers who have unsupervised access to children on a regular
basis. Such parish activities include but are not limited to parish athletic
programs, religious education teachers, and aids, office aids and youth ministry
volunteers, nursery or child care volunteers, children’s choir directors,
Children’s Liturgy of the Word catechists, drivers and chaperones.
According to this new law, each current volunteer who has regular unsupervised
access to a child on a regular basis must be notified of this law and advised
that he/she will be required to provide fingerprints and have a criminal records
check undertaken. New staff members and volunteers will be notified of this law
at the beginning of their service.
The Catholic Diocese of Columbus takes this new law very seriously. Our programs
are so extensive; many people are affected by this ruling. Our primary
motivation in complying with this law is the protection of your/our children.
We are requesting therefore, that you will comply willingly and quickly by
reading and completing the forms necessary to provide verification of your
understanding and compliance with all the policies that govern our parish
activities.
We would like to thank you for your service to our parish by the offering of
your time and talent to so many!
Sincerely,
Rev. Raymond Larussa,
Pastor
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