Safe Environment

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish requires that all employees must complete the Safe Environment Training Program regardless of their level of contact with children. The program teaches adults how to create and maintain a safe environment in which all persons, especially children, can grow in faith. This training is meant to help protect children and also those adults who minister to them.  

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and  St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish partners with Catholic Mutual Group to offer an online safe environment training curriculum for all adults who are required to complete it.  

Examples of volunteer roles include but are not limited to:

• Religious education catechists, aides and substitutes
• Sports team coaches, trainers and assistants
• Youth Choir directors/leaders
• Vacation bible school teachers
• Instructors for sacramental preparation and RCIC instructors
• Youth group leaders, aides, and chaperones
• Overnight chaperones, regular drivers
• Altar server trainers
• Adults volunteering for children’s events
• Nursery workers
• Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leaders and helpers
• Junior Achievement instructors
• School tutors and assistants
• Those who assist in Catholic schools in a variety of ways and as such the service adds up to ongoing contact: field trip drivers & chaperones, classroom project helpers, classroom party helpers, library volunteers, etc.