St. Augustine Parish

The purpose of the Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) program is to create a community of support within each parish or cluster for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  The CAP team at St. Augustine Parish has completed training in a program called "Protecting God's Children" - a program selected by the Archdiocese of Boston for educating adults on ways to prevent child abuse and create safe environments for children. The program consists of classroom presentations, printed and AV materials that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Training focuses on recognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited, environmental factors to be aware of in the physical space of the parish, how abusers operate and things parents can do to help educate their children about how to respond to inappropriate adult behavior toward them. Training also includes a presentation from the Department of Social Services and the District Attorney's Association on the responsibilities and procedures to follow when making a report of suspected child abuse.  Our responsibility as a CAP team is to train the staff, employees and volunteers in our parish, and to advocate for and be an ongoing resource to the parish community in child protection issues.

Parish CAP Programs

Protecting God’s Children for Adults

The prevention and awareness training at the parish level for adults - called "Protecting God's Children", and administered by the Catholic Risk Retention Group under an umbrella called VIRTUS - consists of classroom presentations, printed and AV materials that will focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children.

The program is designed particularly for those adults who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues will also be included, as will training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the Archdiocese of Boston's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse. An on-line component called "VIRTUS On-Line" will provide continued training through monthly bulletins and annual recertification. For more information about VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" , see:  http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/protecting_children.cfm

Talking About Touching for Children

The Religious Education curriculum includes a unit called Talking about Touching (TAT) for Grades 1 - 3, and Keeping Children Safe (KCS)  for Grades 4 - 8 which will begin in January 2009 for all grades.  The program  includes age appropriate materials pertaining to personal safety – including information about improper touching and when they should seek assistance from trusted adults.   For more information about "Talking About Touching" see http://www.cfchildren.org/programs.  An informational meeting will be held for parents on November 9 at 1:30PM in the Center for Education and Ministry.

All new volunteers in the parish are required to participate in this once only training.  Opportunities for the fall 2008 season are as follows:

Click here for the Code of Ministerial Behavior.

Dear Lord we Pray, Help us, empowered by Your grace to open our eyes, hearts and minds in order to better protect Your precious children.  As their guardians, help us show courage and vigilance in ensuring their safety.  Help us to be that good and faithful servant who did well in small matters, and therefore was given even more responsibility.  We especially pray for the victims and their families, for their suffering.  Help us to model Your compassion and be Your instrument of healing tin their lives.  Bless those who choose to help bear the pain of their cross.  We pray, knowing that the approach to You is always open, that the perpetrators of this crime against the innocence of children, abandon their ways and turn instead to You.  Bless us in our endeavor, helping us to remember that who are God's children, if not all of us, and that in serving others, we serve You.  We are filled with great gratitude for Your presence with us.  In Christ's Name, Amen.