The Church of the Sacred Heart:
1.Values and encourages the participation of children and young people in the life of the Church, including liturgy and other activities that contribute to their spiritual , physical and psychological development.
2.Recognises that all—but especially those who work with children and young people in church-related activities—have a special duty to provide a safe environment that fosters their integrity as children of God and respects their dignity and human rights.
3.Co-operates with parents/guardians and relevant agencies in promoting the wellbeing of children and young people in developing the policies that affect them; and responds in accordance with the best practice guidelines set out in Our Children, Our Church to any reported concern about the safety of children and young people in the context of Church-related activities.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND LITURGIES IN CHURCH
1. Sacrament of Reconciliation for school going children should be taken in the Confessional Box unless it takes place publicly in the church.
2. The school when preparing the children in the church, for the Christmas Pageant, the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation, supervision should take place in accordance with the school guidelines . These guidelines require two adults be with any group of children attending the church activities.
3. Supervision, in accordance with school guidelines, is required at all times including the use of the toilet facilities.
4. Any display work or photographs of children should not have name and address details.
TOILET FACILITIES OF THE CHURCH
1. No loitering in the Toilet Areas.
2. Young children should be accompanied by a parent/guardian or older member of the family when using the toilet facilities.
CODE OF GOOD PRACTISE FOR SERVERS
We encourage and are glad to invite children to participate in the Liturgy as Servers and we are introducing the following guidelines as best practise.
(a) All children who volunteer should have the written permissions of parents or guardians before serving and sign the attached consent form.
(b) All children should serve at the mass at which their parents/guardians attend.
(c) Children should sign a Book of Attendance in the Sacristy before and after the Mass they serve.
(d) It is recommended children should vest not more than five minutes before Mass and unvest immediately after Mass and leave the Sacristy.
(e) The children will vest in the main Sacristy after getting the vestments from the cloakroom.
(f) The Main Sacristy door must remain open at all times.
(g) All parents/guardians of children volunteering to serve are required to read and accept these guidelines before giving written permission.
Any meeting /gathering involving
groups of children taking place in the
church or church rooms must have
full parent/guardian supervision.
If you have any child protection concern,
please contact one of our Diocesan
Designated Persons:
Fr. Anthony Minniter, PP
Ballinderreen
Kilcolgan
Co. Galway.
091 796 118
Mrs Eileen Kelly
Diocesan Pastoral Centre
Newtownsmyth
Galway.
085 1112660
You may also contact
the Health Services Executive (HSE)
during office hours.
Ask for the Duty Social Worker at:
Galway City & County Tel: 091 546370 or 546366
Clare Health Services Executive: 065 6863907
Salthill, Garda Siochana 091 514720
Mill Street, Garda Siochana 091 538000
Thank you to our Child Protection Team here in the Sacred Heart, who, having undergone extensive training, have helped prepare our policy and will, with Monsignor Malachy and Father David, oversee its implementation.
