Parish Volunteers MUST Complete Safe Environment Training

I want to thank everyone who has completed the CMG Safe Environment Training required by the Diocese of Houston-Galveston to volunteer at the parish. I know for some of you it was a new experience to do the training on-line.

If you are interested in participating in any volunteer capacity in the future at St. Catherine’s please visit the website resources for information on how to register for the 1 ½ hour on-line training. This certification process takes an additional 2 weeks for a background check once you have completed the training so don’t leave it to the last minute. Certifications are good for 5 years.

We truly appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers at St. Catherine of Siena, we could not do it without you!

In accordance with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Safe Environment Policy,  all clergy, employees, volunteers, members of groups, organizations over the age of 18, who work, volunteer or participate in any capacity are required to complete the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training AND a criminal background check BEFORE they may be employed, volunteer, or participate with ministries, groups, movements and organizations.  In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every 5 years and a new background check submitted before the 5 year expiration of prior training.  The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministries in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

WHAT TO DO:

Click CMG Connect (logo below) and register a new account.

The training is online and will take you 1-1/2 hrs to complete.  Once you have finished the training the Diocese will run a background check.  Once cleared, the Diocese will advise the parish that you are cleared to volunteer at the church.

🚨 DO NOT SIGN UP TO TAKE THE NON-ARCH SAFE HAVEN TRAINING 🚨

This training format will not prompt the diocese to complete a background check and you will not cleared to participate in activities at the parish.

This applies to ALL employees, CCE teachers, Eucharistic Ministers, Musicians, Readers, Ushers, Greeters, Money Counters, and volunteers in any capacity.

Please know that we value your participation and appreciate the gifts you offer to our parish community through your volunteering.  We hope that you will continue to volunteer as you play an important role in our church. 

Once you have completed the on-line training, Fr. Niall can let you know when you are cleared by the diocese to participate at St. Catherine of Siena.

Thank you for all that you do for our parish!

The CMG Safe Environment online training is replacing the VIRTUS training. The training consists of 3 vignette style training videos that is approximately 60 minutes and will include a criminal background check that must be completed.

These trainings are available in English and Spanish. There will no longer be live trainings, all Safe Environment trainings will only be available online.

• All new employees and volunteers will complete the Safe Haven online training program instead of VIRTUS PGC training. The turnaround time for approval may be approximately two weeks or less.
• All individuals must complete the training and complete a background check prior to the start of employment and/or volunteer service.
• The 5-year anniversary date is still in place, individuals who recently attended VIRTUS will not be due to complete refresher trainings until they have met their 5-year anniversary date.
• As the 5-year anniversary date is met, individuals will need to log into CMGConnect with their previous personal VIRTUS user id and 1234 as the password. Once the individual logs into their CMGConnect account, they will be able to change their password. If a parishioner does not remember their user id, they may  the customer service line at 833-993-1667 or email cmgconnect@catholicmutual.org.