Volunteering

Thank you for your interest in sharing your time by volunteering at St. Thomas More Parish. 
 
This weekend Sept 6th and 7th and for the next two weekends we are actively calling for volunteers. Clipboards with sign-up sheets are at the church entrance, along with ministry descriptions. Our parish needs: 
  • Greeters and ushers, 
  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion,
  • Youth and adult altar servers, 
  • Sound board operators, 
  • Singers and musicians for the choir, 
  • Children’s choir & 
  • Children’s liturgy leaders.
For the above ministries, training takes place in the early fall so acting now is important.
 
The place to start is by providing a completed Volunteer Information Form to the parish office, either in person or via email to communications.stm@caedm.ca  
 

Basic Volunteer Training Requirements

All volunteer roles are assessed to determine the level of risk associated with the role based on various factors (see Policy 361A). To view necessary screening requirements for each risk level associated with volunteer roles, click on the links below.
 
These training requirements have been established across the Archdiocese of Edmonton. 
 
Low risk ministries
Medium risk ministries
High risk ministries
 

Accessing Praesidium Online Academy

Praesidium Online Academy is the provider for the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton’s “Safe Environment” training.
 
https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/learn/sign_in?return_to=%2Flearn%2F 
 
Tips for logging in:
  • Use the email address that you used on your volunteer information form.
  • If this is your first time logging int, click “forgot password” using the email address from your volunteer form.
  • If you have trouble, please call the parish office at 780-434-6313.

Low Risk Ministries

Examples of low risk ministries (to include but not limited to):

  • Adoration coordinator
  • Adult choir member
  • Adult choir director
  • Adult formation coordinator
  • Adult server
  • Altar server
  • Envelope stuffers
  • Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
  • EMHC coordinator
  • Greeters
  • Hospitality ministers
  • Lector
  • Liturgical event coordinator
  • Office assistant
  • PPC & PFC & Liturgy committee member
  • Sacristan
  • Sound board operator
 

Volunteers in low risk ministries are required to complete the following:

 
Since Praesidium’s discontinuation of the Called to Protect program, the Archdiocese of Edmonton has adopted updated training requirements to ensure continued vigilance and best practices for the safeguarding of those served throughout the Archdiocese.
 
In place of the Called to Protect program, the new safe environment training platform is called “Praesidium Academy.” Praesidium Academy is an online, self-directed, module based training program where clergy, staff and volunteers will complete courses based on their risk assessment of low, medium or high (see Policy 361A).
 
Once you have completed the forms linked above, new volunteers will be sent an email invite to join Praesidium Academy. Volunteers in low risk ministries must complete the following modules:
 
  1. Keeping your Church Safe (~20mins)
  2. Preventing Abuse & Exploitation in Pastoral Ministry (~30mins)
  3. Duty to Report (~30mins)
  4. Abuse Preventing Refresher (taken after the second year and every two years) (~45mins)
 
 

Medium Risk Ministries

Examples of medium risk ministries (to include but not limited to):

  • Collection counter 
  • Hospitality coordinator
  • Hospital spiritual care member
  • Pastoral care member
  • PPC, PFC, and other committee chairs
 
Volunteers in medium risk ministries are required to complete the following:
  • Volunteer Information Form
  • Covenant of Care Form (if over 18)
  • Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector (PIC-VS): Once you have completed the forms above, the Parish office can provide an online link via email from the Edmonton Police Service and there will be no cost to you. Once the result is received by you from EPS, you then must provide a copy to the parish office.
  • Praesidium safe environment training (see below)
 
Since Praesidium’s discontinuation of the Called to Protect program, the Archdiocese of Edmonton has adopted updated training requirements to ensure continued vigilance and best practices for the safeguarding of those served throughout the Archdiocese.
 
In place of the Called to Protect program, the new safe environment training platform is called “Praesidium Academy.” Praesidium Academy is an online, self-directed, module based training program where clergy, staff and volunteers will complete courses based on their risk assessment of low, medium or high (see Policy 361A).
 
Once you have completed the forms linked above, you will be sent an email invite to join Praesidium Academy. Volunteers in medium risk ministries must complete the following modules:
 
  1. Keeping your Church Safe (~20mins)
  2. Preventing Abuse & Exploitation in Pastoral Ministry (~30mins)
  3. Duty to Report (~30mins)
  4. Abuse Preventing Refresher (taken after the second year and every two years) (~45mins)
 

If serving children and youth:

  1. Foundations: Preventing Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations (~45mins)
 

If serving elder and disabled persons:

  1. Preventing Elder Abuse & Neglect (~30mins)
  2. Preventing Abuse Against Disabilities (~30mins)
 
 

High Risk Ministries

Examples of high risk ministries (to include but not limited to):

  • Altar server coordinators
  • Babysitters
  • Catechism for Children/Youth
  • Children’s choir volunteers
  • Driver for the vulnerable
  • Parish key holders
  • RCIA coordinator
  • RCIC coordinator
  • Sacramental prep coordinator
  • Youth ministry coordinator & team members
 
Volunteers in high risk ministries are required to complete the following:
  • Volunteer Information Form
  • Covenant of Care Form (if over 18)
  • Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector (PIC-VS): Once you have completed the forms above, the Parish office can provide an online link via email from the Edmonton Police Service and there will be no cost to you. Once the result is received by you from EPS, you then must provide a copy to the parish office.
  • Intervention Records Check (IRC) if you are over 18 and volunteering with children: You must apply directly through Alberta Government Children’s Services, which can be done via email directly to cs.ircedmonton@gov.ab.ca attaching the IRC form and two pieces of photo ID. Once the result is received by you from Children’s Services, you then must provide a copy to the parish office.
  • Praesidium safe environment training (see below)
 
Since Praesidium’s discontinuation of the Called to Protect program, the Archdiocese of Edmonton has adopted updated training requirements to ensure continued vigilance and best practices for the safeguarding of those served throughout the Archdiocese.
 
In place of the Called to Protect program, the new safe environment training platform is called “Praesidium Academy.” Praesidium Academy is an online, self-directed, module based training program where clergy, staff and volunteers will complete courses based on their risk assessment of low, medium or high (see Policy 361A).
 
Once you have completed the forms linked above, you will be sent an email invite to join Praesidium Academy. Volunteers in high risk ministries must complete the following modules:
 
  1. Keeping your Church Safe (~20mins)
  2. Preventing Abuse & Exploitation in Pastoral Ministry (~30mins)
  3. Duty to Report (~30mins)
  4. Abuse Preventing Refresher (taken after the second year and every two years) (~45mins)
  5. Safety Equation (~20mins)
  6. Social Media (~30mins)
  7. Preventing Sexual Activity Between Young Children (~30mins)
  8. Preventing Sexual Activity Between Adolescents (~30mins)
 

If serving children and youth:

  1. Foundations: Preventing Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations (~45mins)
 

If serving elder and disabled persons:

  1. Preventing Elder Abuse & Neglect (~30mins)
  2. Preventing Abuse Against Disabilities (~30mins)