Policies

ST. BRIGID’S BALLYBANE COVID 19 PARISH POLICY STATEMENT
 

The Parish of St. Brigid’s Ballybane is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace all our Volunteers, Staff, Parishioners and Visitors.

To ensure that, we have developed a parish COVID-19 plan. All members of the parish community have a shared responsibility for the implementation ofthis plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus.

We will:

Continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our staff

  • Provide up to date information to our staff and volunteers on the Public Health advice issued by the HSe and Gov.ie
  • Display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques
  • Establish a system by means of which staff and volunteers can report concerns relating to COVID-19
  • Inform all volunteers, staff, parishioners and visitors of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette andphysical distancing requirements
  • Adapt the Church and Parish Buildings to facilitate physical distancing
  • Keep a log of Volunteers and Staff to help with contact tracing
  • Have all Volunteers and Staff attend an induction / familiarisation briefing
  • Provide instructions for Volunteers and Staff to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during work
  • Intensify cleaning in line with government advice

The plan is a live working document and it will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and amended to takeinto account new guidance from www.Gov.ie, www.dbei.ie,www.hse.ie, www.hpsc.ie, www.hsa.ie

Feedback on any concerns can be made to Fr. Martin Glynn.

 
 
 
Policy in relation to Child Protection:
 
Safeguarding Children and Young  People Policy Statement of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
 
 
The Diocese values and encourages the participation of children and young people in the life of the Church, including liturgy and other activities that contribute to their spiritual, physical, social and emotional development.
 
 
It commits itself to ensuring that when children and young people take part in Church-related activities, their safety and well-being will be of paramount importance.
 
 
It recognises, that all-but especially those who work with children and young people in Church-related activities –have a duty to provide a safe environment that fosters their dignity as children of God and respects their human rights.
 
 
It co-operates with parents/guardians and relevant agencies in promoting the well–being of children and young people.
 
 
It responds in accordance with the best practice procedures set out in the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church’s Safeguarding Children: Standards and Guidance Document (2008) to any reported concern about the safety of children and young people in the context of Church-related activities.
 
 
Policy on Baptism in St Brigid’s Parish
In St Brigid’s Parish baptism is celebrated on the 4th Saturday of each month. Parents requesting baptism for their children in St Brigid’s Church are required to engage in the Parish Baptismal Programme. Where possible a minimum of two children will be presented for baptism at any one celebration. Visiting priests who request to use the Church for Baptisms will be made aware of the Parish Policy based on best practice for celebrating what is a communal sacrament.
 
Church Gate Collections Policy 
At  all times, those collecting for their named charity proximate to St. Brigid’s Church Ballybane must do so (a) at the gateways only and remain outside the wall on the public footpath at the front entrance and outside the gate at the side entrance: (b) they must check in with Fr. Martin Glynn in the sacristy before they set up outside.