We all have gifts from God, and we are all called to serve one another through our Baptism. We do not always recognize how or even where to begin. As with most of us, we find it difficult to believe that we have something to share. But we do! When we are willing to share a piece of ourselves with others, our gifts unfold, and we, as well as others, benefit in ways that only God knows and directs.
Volunteer Screening & Training Process
The Diocese of Calgary’s volunteer screening process is designed to Strengthen Our Parish Communities. All clergy and religious, employees and volunteers are asked to commit to the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Accountability for their role. Once you have reviewed the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Accountability and the Policies and Procedures, we ask that you please sign and date the back of the Agreement to the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Accountability and return it to the parish office.
We also require that you complete a Volunteer Information Form. This includes basic information about yourself and lets us know what ministries you are interested in volunteering for. You will also need to provide 3 references. This can be returned to the parish office with your signed Agreement to the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Accountability.
In addition, volunteers over the age of 18 in all parishes are required to complete a Police Information Check. Please complete and take both the Police Information Check and the Authorization Letter (please contact the parish office for this) to Lethbridge Police Services along with your photo ID. The cost is $10 with the authorization letter. Without the authorization letter the cost is approximately $65 so please remember to bring the letter to the police station with you. If you wish to be reimbursed for the $10 cost please bring us your receipt. For those who live in a rural community, you can obtain your Police Information Check from your local RCMP at no cost.
Volunteers over the age of 18 in all parishes working with children and other vulnerable members of our community participating in any overnight activities are also required to complete an Intervention Record Check. This can be done by going to the Southwest Alberta Child and Family Services Authority located at Suite 200, 400 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge Centre Tower, Lethbridge, AB. It is free of charge but they do not send out a copy. You will need to pick it up from the Southwest Alberta Child and Family Services Authority and return it to the parish office.
The Catholic Diocese of Calgary requires that you participate in our Praesidium Academy Sexual Abuse Prevention training modules as appropriate for your role. Your participation demonstrates your commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons. Training is required once per year by all of our volunteers and staff working in these areas. Praesidium Academy courses can be taken from any web-connected computer. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes to complete each module of the course. To get started please contact the parish office.
Alternative live group training sessions will take place a few times per year at All Saints parish for those who do not have access to a computer or the internet or prefer to do the session in a group setting. Please contact the parish office to register if you plan to attend the group training. You are also welcome to make arrangements to do the training at the parish office anytime during the week if you are not available for the live training sessions or do not have access to a computer. This program has been implemented to ensure that all our parishes are committed to provide safe and caring environments in which to live and grow in our faith. We thank you for your time and talent!
