CIRCLE OF GRACE

Safe Environment Program

Kindergarten through Grade 12

“Respecting All God’s People” Circle of Grace  

Dear Parent,  

Out of concern for all God’s people and in response to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we have a program for the safe environment education of children and young people.   

Diocese/eparchies will establish ‘safe environment’ programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children.  Dioceses/eparchies will make clear to clergy and members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.          
Article 12 – Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People  

This program is called Circle of Grace.  It is meant to supplement and be integrated into the excellent programs and curricula for the formation of children and young people in our schools and religious education programs.  Circle of Grace aims to equip our children and young people by arming them with essential knowledge and skills grounded in the richness of our faith.  This program helps children and young people to understand their own (and other’s) dignity in mind, body, and spirit.

What is a Circle of Grace?

The Catholic Church teaches that God has created each of us as unique and special. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created “male and female in God’s image” and that God saw this as “very good.”  In that goodness, we are meant to respect ourselves and everyone else as persons created and loved by God.

Adults assist children and young people to recognize God’s love by helping them to understand that each of us lives and moves in a Circle of Grace. You can imagine your own circle of grace by putting your arms above your head then circle down in front of your body including side to side. This circle, front to back, holds who you are in your body and through your senses.  It holds your very essence in mind, heart, soul, and sexuality.

Why is it important to help our children understand the Circle of Grace?

God intends our relationships in life to be experiences of divine love.  Respectful, nurturing, loving relationships increase our understanding of our own value and help us to love others.  It is never too early to help children and young people understand Circle of Grace – Administrator/Directors how very special they are and how relationships in life are called to be sacred.   Understanding this can help them to protect the special person they are and to be respectful of others.

Adults, especially parents, as they strive to provide a safe and protective environment, hold the responsibility to help children and young people understand and respect their own dignity and that of others.   A truly safe and protective environment is one where children and young people recognize when they are safe or unsafe and know how to bring their concerns, fears, and uncertainties to the trusted adults in their lives.   

How is the Circle of Grace Program different from other protection programs?

According to research, one in four girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused by age eighteen.2   Many protection programs focus on “stranger danger”; however, up to ninety percent (90%) of the time the perpetrator of abuse is known to the child or young person such as a relative or family friend.   Circle of Grace goes beyond just protection by helping children and young people understand the sacredness of who they are and how to seek help through their relationships with trusted adults.

What are the topics of the high school curriculum?

Grades 9‐12 curriculum is formatted to be used in two ways.  The traditional way, in which the lessons are taught to the identified grade.  The second way is to use the Grades 9‐11 alternate lessons for any grade or setting.  We encourage you to have a conversation with your youth about these important lessons below:

Grade 9 ‐ 

Lesson 1: Communion of Saints,  
Lesson 2: Mary and Joseph say “Yes”
Lesson 3: When the Circle is Broken
Lesson 4: Action PLAAN‐ How Safe are your relationships?

Grade 10 ‐ Levels of Intimacy and Influence
Grade 11 ‐ N.O.T.I.C.E.: When Boundaries Go Wrong

Grade 12 ‐ Love and the Theology of the Body, How Healthy are your relationships?

**Lesson is only for seniors**   

Alternate Lessons 1. What is your Motto?   2. A.C.T.I.O.N.: Steps Needed When Concerns Don’t Go Away 3. Modesty: A Thing of the Past or Not? 4. Tech Savvy or Tech Safe? 5. Circle of Grace Again… Really?

Please feel free to contact the Faith Formation Office if you have questions or want more information.

God gives each of us a Circle of Grace (see below) where He is always “Present”:

Raise your hands above your head, then bring your outstretched arms slowly down. Extend your arms in front of you and then behind you embrace all of the space around you slowly reach down to your feet. Knowing that God is in this space with you.  This is your Circle of Grace; you are in it.

God is “Present” because He desires a relationship with us.  

• God is with us when we are happy and sad. God does not cause bad things to happen to us.  He loves us very much.
• God desires to help us when we are hurt, scared or confused (unsafe).
• Having faith may not take away all of life’s struggles.  It is because of these struggles, God promised to always “be present”; providing guidance and comfort in our time of need.

• Our feelings help us know about ourselves and the world around us.  
• God helps us know what belongs in our Circle of Grace by experiencing peace, love or contentment when something or someone good comes into our Circle of Grace.

• God desires to help us when we are hurt, scared or confused (unsafe).
• The Holy Spirit prompts (alerts) us that something does not belong in our Circle of Grace by giving us “a funny or uncomfortable feeling” that something is not safe. This feeling is there because God wants us to be safe.

• God gives us people in our lives to help us
• God wants us to talk to trusted grownups about our worries, concerns or “funny/ uncomfortable feelings” so they can help us be safe.

 1) How is this connected to the “Safe Environment” program?

Circle of Grace is the safe environment program for children/youth.  The goal is to help children/youth understand the sacredness of who they are and how to seek help when needed through their relationships with trusted adults.

2) What information can this program give my child that they are not getting already?

The Circle of Grace Program reinforces in a peer setting that their faith community cares about their safety and wants them to understand how to seek help if they feel unsafe for any reason.  It will help them identify potentially unsafe situations and know how to handle them by seeking help from trusted adults.

3) You indicate that this program will provide them with “life skills”, what do you mean by this?

It reinforces that they are valued by God and others.  It gives them information on boundaries and practical directives of what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable when in their Circle of Grace.  It is a good foundation for healthy relationships that will help them throughout their lives.

4) Will this program be age appropriate?

Yes! The lessons were written with great attention to the stages of child development.  

5) How can parents support what is being taught in the program?

Parents will receive parent letters as well as take home activities for several of the lessons to do with their children.  Talking with your children about the Circle of Grace at home will help your children to understand the importance of the lessons and that the lessons apply everywhere, not just at school.  Additionally, you are your child’s most important teacher in the area of relationships.  Much of what your child will learn and later imitate about relationships comes from what they learn by your example.  Creating an atmosphere where they know that they can talk to you about anything provides a valuable safety net for your child because they know they have you to turn to whenever they have a concern.

6) Is there accountability attached to this program implementation?

Yes! There will be an ongoing evaluation of the program to ensure its effectiveness and to incorporate any suggestions that would improve the quality of the program.

7) Will there be resources (people and material) available if I have questions?

Yes! There will be a parent packet given to all parents that includes contact numbers.

8) Shouldn’t parents be the ones teaching their children about sexuality?

Absolutely!  This is NOT a sex education program.  Circle of Grace will provide children with a sound understanding of their own value and of God’s care and presence in their lives.  It will also help them notice the signals that tell them when they do not feel safe and how to talk to a trusted adult.  All of this will be a good foundation for healthy relationships.  However, this is not a sexuality education program.  Many parents will appreciate that this program will provide a spiritual framework that will allow parent‐child communication about the value of all that they are, including their sexuality.  Those conversations are most effective between parent and child.  There are grade specific Parents First newsletters to assist you in these conversations.

9) Is this a mandatory program for my child?

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) developed the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People.  Article 12 of this document states that each Diocese will have a safe environment program for adults and children/youth.  If you have questions or concerns about your child participating in the Circle of Grace Program, please contact your Director of Religious Education, Principal, etc.

IDENTIFYING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

www.childwelfare.gov/can/identifying
Resources and information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway website abou tsigns and symptoms of child maltreatment, including training resources.

PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

www.childwelfare.gov/preventing
Resources and information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.

NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

PROTECT KIDS . COM