The Diocese of Worcester created Safe Environment programs for all individuals in the diocese to help promote awareness of sexual abuse, help to prevent abuse, and to encourage survivors of abuse to seek the healing they deserve.
Why Safe Environment Programs?
Article 12 of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People calls for a Safe Environment program for each diocese in the United States:
ARTICLE 12. Dioceses/eparchies will establish "safe environment" programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. Dioceses/eparchies will make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.
You may also wish to read the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) charter booklet "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People".
Ages 17+: You must sign the CORI form, provide the last 6 digits of your social security number and attach a copy of a PHOTO ID.
Ages 14-16: A parent or guardian should complete the form by providing the child's name and address and the last six digits of his/her social security number. The parent or guardian should sign the form as "Mary Smith, parent" (or guardian).
For those under 17 years of age, the only information the State will release to the Diocese is for sexual offenses.
All staff members, employees and volunteers in our parish help to create and maintain a safe environment by completing the following screening and training programs:
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
Each employee or volunteer must complete a CORI Request Form, which is then submitted for processing to the Commonwealth of MA through the Diocese of Worcester. The CORI background check must be renewed every five (5) years.
The Parish specific forms are at the bottom of this page. Please include a copy of a government issued photo ID, such as a drivers license, with the form.
NOTE: Please leave the date you signed the Code of Conduct and the date of your Safe Environment Training blank on the CORI form. These will be filled in based on what is recorded in our parish database. If the Code of Conduct has not been signed and/or you have not completed Safe Environment Training, you will be notified.
Code of Conduct
Each staff member, employee and volunteer must read the Code of Conduct and sign the Acknowledgment Form which is offered as part of Safe Environment Training.
Safe Environment Training
Periodically throughout the year, group training sessions may be offered at St. Mary parish, St. Philip parish or another parish in the area. If we are aware of dates when Safe Environment Training will be offered, we will list them on this page.
A more timely option is available through on-line training. This allows you to complete the training from your own computer. At the completion of your training, you should print a certificate of completion. If you do not print a certificate of completion at the end of your on-line training, we will not be able to capture that you completed the training!
Please call or send an email to the appropriate parish coordinator (see below) to request access to the on-line training.
St. Mary Parish
Jill Sullivan serves as the St. Mary Parish Safe Environment Coordinator. She is available to answer your questions and concerns. Jill can be reached at (508) 839-3993 x10 Sunday 8:30am-12:30pm or Mon–Thurs 9:00am–3:30pm or at jsullivan@stmarysgrafton.org. The CORI form is available here: St. Mary CORI form. The completed CORI form, signed Code of Conduct Acknowledgment Form and Safe Environment Training certificate should be returned to the St. Mary parish office to the attention of Jill Sullivan.
St. Philip Parish
Carole LeBlanc serves as the St. Philip Parish Safe Environment Coordinator. She is available to answer your questions and concerns. Carole can be reached at 508-839-3325 or at cleb1329@aol.com. The CORI form is available here: St. Philip CORI form. The completed CORI form, signed Code of Conduct Acknowledgment Form and Safe Environment Training certificate should be returned to the St. Philip parish office to the attention of Carole LeBlanc.