Empowering God's Children by Virtus
Beginning in the fall of 2026, all K-8 students in our Catholic schools and Parish Faith Formation programs will participate in formal training through a VIRTUS program called, “Empowering God’s Children.” The focus of this program is to equip our young people with the tools and knowledge they need to understand personal boundaries and protect themselves. In this program, students will engage in learning about safe/unsafe adults and friends, safe/unsafe touches, and personal safety boundaries. A piece of the VIRTUS program also focuses on technology safety.
Our parishes provide formation through a variety of models, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), traditional religious education, family faith formation, and youth ministry. Because these models vary significantly, and because the amount of time we have directly with children and youth is already limited, incorporating additional Safe Environment lessons consistently into parish formation is challenging.
We are currently in the process of working with our parish faith formation leaders on a process to equip parents with the tools to help form their own children around safe environment. The linked Empowering God Children Virtus Curriculum Parish Instructions document proposes adapting the VIRTUS lessons from what is being offered in our Catholic schools and providing the materials directly to parents so they can complete the formation with their children at home. The proposed model includes two lessons each year, organized by grades.
An important part of this approach would be accountability rather than simply distributing materials. Parents would be asked to complete the lessons with their children within one month. Parish staff would follow up with families, provide a reminder, invite feedback or questions, and document responses so that participation can be reported through our Safe Environment processes. The proposal also maintains the parent opt-out option.
Before moving forward, we would appreciate your review (as well as your pastor and any other member of your parish team) of the linked materials and, particularly, your thoughts on these questions:
- Is it appropriate for parents to provide this formation at home rather than requiring it to be delivered during a parish faith formation session? Why?
- Does the proposed follow-up and accountability process provide sufficient documentation?
- Are there concerns or unintended consequences that we should consider?
- What changes would strengthen this approach before it is presented more broadly?
Please provide feedback by October 14, 2026 so that it can be presented to Bishop Joensen. Contact jgaffney@dmdiocese.org with questions or to visit about the curriculum plan.
Empowering God's Children Virtus Curriculum Proposed Parish Instructions
Kindergarten Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
First Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Second Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Third Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Fourth Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Fifth Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Sixth Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Seventh Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2
Eighth Grade Safety Formation for Home Lessons 1 and 2