September 1, 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002, requires parishes and schools to provide formation for children in the areas of safety and the integrity of their persons. To assist our families with this important task, we have developed the “Circles of Care Safe Environment Program” for our high school youth.
Circles of Care addresses topics presented in The Catechism of the Catholic Church; in particular, Section Three: Life in Christ (pp 421- 611) which addresses The Dignity of the Human Person, The Human Community, God’s Salvation: Law and Grace, and The Ten Commandments, and covers the topic of safety of our youth in every day experiences.
As part of the program, parents will receive materials on teaching their children about the issues of safety. The materials include information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, information on internet safety, social networking and telephone safety, including documents from Connect Safely, a website assisting parents and educators in safety in technology, as well as additional materials for parents’ use at home that complement the subjects being taught simultaneously in the classroom.
The Diocese has also encouraged our educators’ use in grades 9 and 10 of tools found on Netsmartz, an interactive, educational safety resource developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to teach children and youth how to stay safer on the internet. Netsmartz provides videos and corresponding lesson plans relevant to our youths’ experiences.
The Diocese of Rockford “Circles of Care Safe Environment Program” replaces previous programs promulgated by the Diocesan Catholic Education Office, and is mandatory for all Catholic High Schools in the Diocese of Rockford.
I ask the blessing of our Lord on all of our children and youth and on those entrusted with their care on behalf of the Church.
Cordially yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Rockford