All Saints on the Hudson

Virtual Platforms in Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to the use of a variety of virtual platforms in faith formation and youth ministry programs. What began out of necessity, now has the potential to become a vehicle for offering faith formation and youth ministry in new and creative ways – even beyond the time of COVID-19. Therefore, we offer the following guidance which is based on our existing diocesan policies, advice gleaned from organizations as well as insights from diocesan staff.

1. The decision to use virtual means in general – and which platform(s) in particular - should be made in a collaborative fashion between the pastor/parish life coordinator and the catechetical/youth ministry leader(s).
2. The choice of platforms will be reputable, registered in the United States and provide good privacy and security features.
3. Any virtual gathering (using Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meets etc..) is to be conducted as If it were an in-person gathering. All safe environment protocols (catechist volunteer application, background check, Virtus or CMG Connect, the diocesan Standard Code of Conduct, Technology Policy and Social Media Use Policy all still apply.
4. Due to the extraordinary circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, parental permission for your child/youth to participate in catechetical/youth ministry sessions – whether using virtual, in-person, or hybrid model – has to be obtained either as part of the registration form, or by way that is laid out by the priest.
5. Parents should be advised of the schedule and topics for all virtual sessions. Parents who express a hesitation to have their child/youth participate should be met with the utmost pastoral sensitivity and be given a mutually agreed-upon alternative, if applicable.
6. Parents should be given the option of having their child/youth participate by audio only.
7. Catechetical/Youth Ministry Leaders should always have access to all scheduled sessions, and should regularly join sessions.
8. Catechists cannot initiate any unscheduled virtual sessions without the prior approval of the catechetical/youth ministry leader, and the catechetical/youth ministry leader should have full access to the session.
9. There should be no one-on-one virtual sessions with children or young people unless absolutely necessary and only if a parent is present for the entire time.
10. Unless parents are present for a family-based session, as a best practice, virtual sessions should include the catechist and either: a.) another catechist; or b.) the catechetical/youth ministry leader, or c.) another adult (such as a parent) who has satisfactorily completed all diocesan safe environment requirements. As noted above, it is expected that catechetical/youth ministry leaders regularly join all virtual sessions.
11. Professional and modest dress is required for adults, children, and youth during all virtual sessions.
12. Please be mindful of your screen background (i.e. what others can see behind you on camera). All views should be appropriate. Appropriate spaces could be a home office, living room, dining room but never a bedroom. If possible, a bare background is advised. Please remind parents and young people to make sure their screen backgrounds are appropriate as well. Remember - you are generally visible on camera throughout the entire session no matter what appears on the screen.
13. Publicly advertising a virtual session is discouraged. Sessions are by invitation only.
14. Parents should be encouraged to have updated security features installed on computers and to exercise prudence as to the location in the home where children/young people use computers for online sessions.
15. While direct text and/or messaging with young people during normal circumstances is discouraged, in this time of pandemic restrictions, it may be more of a reality. The directives about text-based communications outlined in the diocesan Social Media Use Policy should be observed, especially informing parents of such communication, and maintaining professionalism and appropriate boundaries.

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Office of Safe Environment can be reached at 518-453-6655, or by email at [email protected]
Office of Lay Ministry & Parish Faith Formation can be reached at (518) 453-6670, or by email at [email protected].

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12206