All volunteers must attend a Protecting God’s Children workshop. This 2½ hour program is intended to educate volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. Preregistration is required. You can sign up online at www.virtus.org. After completing the registration for a Virtus account, you will be asked to acknowledge receipt of other required notices and to choose a date to attend a workshop. You will then be prompted to enter the necessary information and sign off on a required background release form. After the workshop, you will be asked to keep your training updated through online monthly bulletins. The monthly training requires approximately fifteen (15) minutes. There is an additional yearly recertification. You will be notified by Virtus, through email, of the bulletins and the recertification. It is important that you select the appropriate diocesan location when you register. Please select St. Matthew Church.

  • Please check the parish bulletin and website for upcoming dates of Protecting God’s Children at St. Matthew.
  •  If you do not have access to the internet, or are unable to work online, please contact Lisa Hornung, Safe Environment Coordinator, at 704-543-7677 x 1016.
  •  Please visit the Virtus website or the diocesan website, for additional information about the Protecting God’s Children program.