October 29, 2019

The Diocese of Springfield to launch new safe environment program

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Sarah Ehlers of the Archdiocese of Omaha led a training and information session on the Circle of Grace, the new safe environment program for the Springfield diocese. (IObserve photo/Bill Pacocha)

SPRINGFIELD – The Diocese of Springfield is launching a new safe environment program to educate and empower children and to protect them from potential abuse. The “Circle of Grace” program was developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha and is geared toward youth as young as preschool through grade 12.

Sarah Ehlers, from the Archdiocese of Omaha, led a training session for catechists, Catholic school teachers and administrators, Saturday, Oct. 26 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield.

“The Circle of Grace is a metaphor for the love of God,” Ehlers explained. Circle of Grace replaces the S.E.E.D. program that had been used for several years in the Springfield Diocese.

“It’s a two- or three-lesson program implemented once a year helping kids understand who is their trusted adult, what they should do if a problem would arise, how would teachers handle the situation if a student would reveal something to them, and what steps they would take,” she said.

Ehlers, a mother of nine children, said the program was developed by a team which included doctors, nurses, psychologists, clergy, and educators. According to the Circle of Grace curriculum, the program was developed because “God, our creator, desires his little ones, children/youth, to be safe more than we can imagine.” It is currently used in 48 dioceses across the country. It is also Catholic-based.

“They (children) have this relationship with Christ in this circle of grace. So they’re able to tell somebody if someone interferes with that beautiful relationship,” Ehlers said.

Several of those attending the training session said they felt empowered by the program.

“It is important because, number one, we need to keep our kids safe and also teach them that God is good and loves them and only wants what is best,” said Lisa Stankiewicz, director of faith formation for St. Agnes Parish in Dalton.

The program outlines how to help children go to a trusted adult if someone gives them an uncomfortable feeling.

“The diocese made the decision at the beginning of the year that we were going to change the safe environment program we were using in Catholic schools and faith formation programs,” said Celeste Labbe, the director of faith formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

“This is pure evil what has happened to some children and the whole premise of this program is to help kids better understand who is safe, who they should be with and what should be allowed to happen in their circle of grace,” said Labbe.

The Springfield Diocese has an Office of Child and Youth Protection. The diocese’s Safe Environment Program includes comprehensive criminal background checks for employees and volunteers in addition to online VIRTUS training, called “Protecting God’s Children.”

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.