April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Providing a healthy and safe environment in our parishes and schools is a ministry to which we are all called. To foster our common diocesan vision of Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship Through God’s Love, the diocese will be marking Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The weekend of April 30, Bishop DeGrood will celebrate the 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph for the healing of victims/survivors and all affected by abuse.

Attached is a Rosary for Healing handout and a Novena for Healing from Abuse that can be provided to groups (especially prayer groups) in your parish. Media to post on your website or share on social media will be posted on the diocesan website and social medial pages throughout the month.  Please share these posts on your own platforms.

All parishes are encouraged to include in the bulletin a special “thank you” message to the local coordinator for Safe Environment at your location.

Please plan to participate with us in prayer for the safety and wellbeing of all children, that they may flourish as healthy, happy and holy Catholics within our communities.

Please contact the Safe Environment Coordinator, Alison Conemac (aconemac@sfcatholic.org) with your questions.