Safe Environment

St. Rita is a Safe Environment

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in
heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
                                                                                                                                                               -Matthew 18:10

Our diocesan policies, ethics and integrity in ministry, are rooted in the Catholic understanding that each individual must be respected and honored. Jesus had a deep, abiding respect for each human being and would not harm or mislead anyone in his or her personal or spiritual life. We, the church, must do likewise. Our policies cover four areas of possible harm: immoral conduct, exploitation, harassment, and abuse. Volunteers at St. Rita Parish who work with minors and vulnerable adults, and St. Rita School, must successfully complete the Safe Environment approval process before he or she may do so. As St. Rita values safety, we have a gradual process for all parish volunteers so that starting at the age of 15, one is introduced to the safety training process and its values.  

If you are a current badge holder that needs to renew your safe environment certification,
please click here. 

If you are a new applicant, please see the steps below.

This process is mandated and strictly enforced by the Catholic Diocese of Dallas; it consists of the following steps:

1. Complete a Diocese of Dallas SEP screening form, in which you will be asked to provide:
             A. Three personal references who will be contacted.
             B. Consent to a criminal background check
                    (must be re-checked every two years).
2. Go back to Diocesan site here and login with your name and address.
3. Confirm all the information on the screen, scroll to the bottom and hit "Update information and continue."
4. Look at "Classes available to take online" and watch the suggested Safe Environment training session listed there called, "Ministry Safe." English and Spanish versions are available.,
5. Upon completion of the online training session, contact the Parish Office, or Sonbol Mannas if you are a school family,  to arrange for a personal interview (approximately 15 minutes), at which time a photo I.D. will be taken for your Volunteer Badge. 

It takes approximately three weeks to complete the initial Safe Environment screening process. If you have children that attend St. Rita School and you wish to participate in their activities as a volunteer, you must have already completed this process before you are permitted to volunteer, so please plan accordingly.

With the implementation of the Diocesan Safe Environment Program, St. Rita Catholic Community demonstrates the standard to which we, as Christians living in a faith community, will hold all those who are privileged to work with our children, elderly, vulnerable adults, and indeed all of our church family.

If you have questions, please e-mail
Susan Sheetz at [email protected]
Parish Safe Environment Director
or
Sonbol Mannas at [email protected]
School Safe Environment Director

If you have been abused by a member of the clergy, or church personnel at any point in your life, or know someone who has been, please report the abuse to law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400  or www.txabusehotline.org

You may also contact the Diocesan Victims’ Assistance Coordinator, Brenda Martinez, at 214-379-2812.  Let us always pray that God our Heavenly Father will bring comfort and healing to all victims and their loved ones.