Saint Gerald Catholic Church

Safe Environment Information and Training

All parishioners and parents who volunteer at our parish and school must attend a Safe Environment Training. Classes are offered at various locations in the Omaha Metro area. You must pre-register for class at https://omaha.cmgconnect.org.

Volunteers include:

• Lunch helpers
• Coaches and assistant coaches
• Field trip helpers
• Childcare
• Catechist
• Children's Liturgy teachers and helpers
• Any group that hosts events where children are invited

Instructions for First-Time Safe Environment Certification
In 2002, the USCCB created the Protection of Children and Young People charter. This charter mandates that all adults who interact with children/vulnerable adults in the name of the Church are required to become Safe Environment Certified. The Archdiocese of Omaha requires this mandate to be implemented.

• Register for a new account on the Catholic Mutual Platform: https://omaha.cmgconnect.org
• Complete all sections of the Registration Box
• Choose a username and password
• Enter contact and profile information
• Select the primary parish/school at which you volunteer or are employed
• Choose your role (employee, volunteer, etc.) and select the check box that describes the specific participation category that reflects your involvement
• Click “Register” to complete your account setup
• Click “Start” for the SE Live Training & Background Check curriculum in order to:
• Acknowledge and agree to the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct
• RSVP for a live training
• Give consent and submit information for a background check
• Attend the training –The background check request will not be processed until the training is completed (training takes approximately 2 ½ hours)

Usually, SE certification takes 7-10 days following this process and is valid for six years.

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That Man Is You

That Man Is You is a group study dedicated to helping men grow in their faith through Biblical principles. We have two groups that meet on Friday or Saturday mornings. You pick your day and show up. During our time together, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us as we watch a video presentation, share our thoughts and reflections in small groups, and conclude with prayer. So if you want to grow deeper in your faith, grow as a man of God, or connect more with the men of St. Gerald, please join us.

· Fridays at 6:30 am – Family Room (Library) No food provided. Bring what you want.
· Saturdays at 6:30 am – Fellowship Hall Coffee and donuts available.

Men of all ages are welcome to join. There is no fee for joining or required sign up. A free will offering is taken throughout the study to help purchase materials. If you have questions, please get in touch with the parish office at 402-331-1955.

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What is a Nazareth Group?

To express your interest in joining a group or to find out more click here to go to https://www.nazarethgroups.com/.

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Journey of Faith

Our commitment to the Journey of Faith as a Family of Parishes continues. Our combined committee of representatives from St. Columbkille and St. Gerald have been meeting and discussing our path forward together as a community of faith. Recently each parish group took time to reflect and assess the strengths of the parish as well as areas in need of improvement. The teams used an assessment tool provided by the Archdiocese that directed each parish team to look at liturgy, leadership, path to discipleship, culture of generosity, adult formation, religious education, the Catholic school, sacramental preparation, finance and facilities. Once each individual parish team had time to reflect, both teams came together to share their findings. Knowing where each parish stands, we can then move forward and discuss ways that we may be able to support each other while we build each of our parishes into more flourishing and missional faith communities.

Understanding that this Journey of Faith process is intended to span the next 10 years, the framework and ideas that come from the Family of Parishes relationship will be things that can grow and transform as time progresses. An immediate area that is being discussed is creating an invitational spirit and promoting faith events within each parish. Recently an invitation was extended to the teens of St. Gerald to join St. Columbkille's teen faith program. Likewise, an invitation from St. Gerald was extended to the women of St. Columbkille to attend their "Women of Grace" Bible study. While these are small beginning steps, it is the hope that continued cooperation and collaboration will help lead our two parishes into a closer relationship as we work together to strengthen the faith of the members in each of our communities.

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Pray For Priestly Vocations

This year, unfortunately, we had no young men ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese of Omaha. Please pray that more young men will hear and respond to God's call to the priesthood.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS (by Pope St. John Paul II)
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, bless all our parishes with numerous priests, deacons, men and women in religious life, consecrated laity and missionaries, according to the needs of the entire world, which you love and wish to save. Assist our pastors and all who live a consecrated life. Guide the steps of those who have responded generously to your call and are preparing to receive Holy Orders or to profess vows. Look with love on young people and call them to follow you. Help them to understand that in you alone can they attain complete fulfillment. To this end we call on the powerful intercession of Mary, Mother and model of all vocations. We beseech you to sustain our faith that the Father will grant what you command us to ask. Amen.

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Vision
Encountering Jesus · Making Disciples · Transforming Lives

Mission
Led by the Holy Spirit, we are a Catholic community of faith whose primary purpose is to know Jesus, to love Him, and to serve Him in serving others. Sent to make disciples, we invite and welcome everyone to come and share our Master's joy.

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