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St. Mary Parish follows the Safe Environment Training Program set forth by the Diocese of Worcester. This training is for all individuals who wish to volunteer in the parish. This program increases awareness of sexual abuse, helps to prevent abuse, and encourages survivors of abuse to seek the healing they deserve.
We at St. Mary Parish are concerned about the safety of all children and adults. To further understand the program, to report abuse or to seek healing for past hurts please contact the diocesan office of Prevention and Healing https://worcesterdiocese.org/healing-prevention-1 or call (508) 929-4363.
In keeping with the National Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), training about the signs and symptoms of child abuse is required at least once for all staff and volunteers. The program is designed to help protect the youth and adults of our parish as they participate in activities within our community.
St. Mary Parish holds trainings on site for those wishing to volunteer in the parish. Liz Wondolowski (email here) conducts the Safe Environment Trainings for the parish. Please contact Liz or the office if you need to take this training. St. Mary Parish strictly adheres to the parameters of the program and has been randomly selected and audited for compliance. St. Mary Parish met all criteria in the audit and was deemed in compliance.
A Prayer of Healing
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong:
your only Son was delivered into the hands of the wicked
yet healed us by the blood of his cross.
May the gentle Jesus, join to his own suffering,
the pains of those abused by priests who have betrayed your love,
and servants of your Church, whose sin has brought us shame.
May Christ hear the cries of those abused,
may he quell their restless fears with faith in your protection,
their doubt, with confidence in your love,
and all rage with trust in your healing mercy.
Grant all Shepherds of his Church the compassion to protect his lambs,
the strength to guide his flock, and the wisdom to model their lives
on Christ, the Good Shepherd.
God of justice and compassion, protect all children from abuse,
and deliver us from hate.
May we seek only justice and truth, and trust in your unending mercy.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.