Stewards of Our Common Home
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September 8, 2022
By The VIRTUS® Programs
Introduction
While we all value the protection of children and youth from harm, the protection of adults who could be considered vulnerable is equally important. While each of us can be vulnerable in any given set of circumstances, the phrase “vulnerable adults” can apply, but is not limited to:
- Persons 18 years of age and older, with physical, mental, emotional or behavioral conditions or deficiencies,
- Adults living with intellectual or developmental disabilities,
- Adults with an infirmity or illness, or situation that renders an inability to defend, protect or get help when injured or abused, or even a deprivation of personal liberty that, even if only occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want or otherwise resist an offense;1
- Individuals whose condition or disability impairs their ability to provide adequately for their own care,
- Adults who habitually lack the use of reason,2
- Individuals who have a court-appointed guardian,
- The elderly, whose various circumstances might make them susceptible to persons or situations that may cause them harm,
- People who receive services within ministerial or shelter-type environments, including persons who are homeless, receiving immigration or refugee services, or who are residents of shelters, and,
- Adults who receive care services from a licensed home care or personal care service within their own homes.
Abuse of vulnerable adults
Each year, approximately 500,000 allegations of abuse of vulnerable adults are reported to Adult Protection Services. Studies indicate that as many as 10 percent of the vulnerable adult population is subject to abuse, and that only one in six cases of abuse are ever reported. It’s often difficult for vulnerable adults to tell anyone about the abuse. One reason is because the people who are abusive are often relatives, business professionals and institutions, con artists and care providers. Vulnerable adults who fall victim to one of these people are often afraid to communicate—sometimes because of fear of retribution or because they are dependent on their abuser. They may also have feelings of shame, may not remember what happened, or they may have a debilitating physical, verbal, emotional, and/or intellectual psychological impediment that prevents them from communicating or coming forward to report an abusive situation.
Among vulnerable adults, the patterns and methods used by abusers are similar to the behavioral patterns of those who abuse children. In particular, there are those who seek out and “groom” vulnerable adults and those who take advantage of particular situations by abusing others. These abusers are primarily found among the family members, care providers, and others who are known and trusted by the adults. When the victim is an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the offender is often a care provider. However, when the victim is an elderly person, the most likely offender is a family member.
What we can do
The good news is that the five steps outlined in the Protecting God’s Children® Program can also help us prevent and respond to the abuse of vulnerable adults. The steps are:
- Know the Warning Signs
- Screen and Select Employees and Volunteers
- Monitor All Environments
- Be Attentive, and,
- Communicate Your Concerns
Some of the warning signs of an adult’s inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable adult are the same as those that indicate someone is a potential risk of harm to a child. Additional signs that indicate a care provider could be a risk of harm to a vulnerable adult are when the person:
- Acts with indifference toward the vulnerable adult in his or her care, pays little attention or shows little patience toward them
- Prevents the adult from speaking to visitors
- Gives the vulnerable adult “dirty” looks or “stares down” to intimidate them
- Uses fear, or a threat of force to get the vulnerable adult to follow instructions
- Takes privileges away from the vulnerable adult
- Suddenly seems to have a larger cash flow or more expensive things, whereas the vulnerable adult may appear to have less or is struggling financially
- Isolates the vulnerable adult from other people; refuses to allow visitors; keeps the vulnerable adult away from others who might observe warning signs
- Yells at the vulnerable adult, and,
- Uses excessive or frequent physical force to restrain the adult or “force” them to “comply” or follow instructions.
Screening and selecting employees and volunteers to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults should follow the same procedures as screening and selecting those who are working or within ministry with minors. The monitoring of environments involving vulnerable adults should include taking note of the environment, watching for warning signs of abuse, and assessing if there are any potential grooming behaviors present. Monitoring environments also includes adequate supervision for those using technology to interact with vulnerable adults.
Being attentive to vulnerable adults means we notice if there are any indicators that might show that a vulnerable adult could be experiencing neglect, physical abuse or sexual abuse. This could include observing:
- Injuries such as cuts, bruises, and other wounds that appear to be uncared for or never seem to heal
- Poor skin color, sunken eyes, dehydration or apparent malnutrition
- Frequent trips to the hospital (for reasons unassociated with a chronic medical condition)
- Soiled clothing, apparent pain from touching
- Lack of social contact
- Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, and confusion
- Apparent disorientation or confusion and far-fetched stories to explain their situation and/or circumstances
- Living conditions that are inadequate or consistently unclean is cause for concern
- Room temperatures that are too extreme in both winter and summer, and foul odors in the house, and,
- Possible financial abuse, which could include the purchase of expensive care provider gifts, the disappearance of personal items and financial issues such as credit card problems, missing bank account funds or bounced checks.
Communicate Your Concerns
Just like if we see or hear something concerning regarding children and youth, we must also communicate our concerns if we have a suspicion of neglect or abuse of a vulnerable adult. A suspicion of neglect or abuse of a vulnerable adult must be reported to local law enforcement, or your local Adult Protective Services agencies.3
In addition to reporting suspected abuse of vulnerable adults, we must also communicate concerns that arise about the behavior of their care provider or other adults visiting and/or providing a service to vulnerable adults. If we notice that a care provider, family member or another adult is behaving in a way that indicates that they are a risk to the vulnerable adult (even if it is just one time, or the risk seems minor in comparison with others), we must communicate our concerns. In this case, communicate your concern to someone who can do something about it, such as the supervisor of the care provider, or the supervisor of the adult who is visiting or providing a service. If you are not sure with whom to communicate your concern, contact the organization the individual in question represents.
Conclusion
As members of the community, we must learn about the threats at-risk populations face and practice these steps to prevent abuse from happening in the first place and stop any abuse from continuing for all vulnerable people. By understanding the reality of vulnerable adult abuse, considering our own behavior, learning these warning signs and communicating concerns—we strive to protect others who may not be in a position to protect themselves. Thank you for your commitment to helping the vulnerable in any situation.
References
1 Vos Estis Lux Mundi. Accessible online at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20190507_vos-estis-lux-mundi.html
2 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Accessible online at https://www.usccb.org/resources/Charter-for-the-Protection-of-Children-and-Young-People-2018-final%281%29.pdf
3 https://www.napsa-now.org/aps-program-list/
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Director of Liturgy and Music, Holy Spirit Parish
The Director of Liturgy and Music at Holy Spirit Parish requires a creative, hard-working, innovative, solutions-oriented, and passionate individual. The Director of Liturgy and Worship’s main objective is to ensure a superb caliber of liturgy is experienced by all. The ideal Director is self-motivated, innovative, and able to perform key tasks independently in a timely manner. The Director of Liturgy and Worship will collaborate very closely with the Pastor to ensure his vision of liturgy for the entire parish is fulfilled. In addition, the Director of Liturgy and Worship will work closely with the volunteer liturgical ministry leaders to ensure each liturgical ministry (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Mass coordinators, Ushers, Greeters, Cantors, and Musicians) meet the worship needs of the parish.
In addition, the Director will provide effective planning, coordination, and execution of music for all parish liturgies, wedding masses or liturgies of the Word and Masses of Christian Burial. The main goal of the music director is to prepare music that will lead the parishioners of Holy Spirit and provide a deeper relationship with God and with one another.This individual must be a self-starter who enjoys working in a team environment and is excited to be part a strong Catholic community with a diverse culture. This role will require a firm understanding of our church’s vision and values. The Director of Liturgy and Worship will require a flexible work schedule which will include weekends and evenings.
The position is a full-time, exempt position and is eligible for benefits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position
Mass/Liturgy Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for ensuring the best liturgical and spiritual experience possible for Mass attendees for both Sunday (including Saturday vigil) and daily (Monday – Saturday) Masses.
- Ensures that the schedules of Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Sacristan Assistants, Ushers, Greeters, Cantors, and Musicians are completed and communicated to all volunteers in a timely fashion. Oversees liturgy volunteers to ensure parish scheduling is accurate and up to date.
- Oversees, in conjunction with the pastor, the environment and decoration of worship area including Sanctuary.
Responsible for developing weekly Ministry notes for Sunday (including Saturday vigil) Masses which includes prayers of the faithful, coordinating all announcements, Mass intentions, etc. - Collaborates with members of Holy Spirit School on worship and liturgy programs, including but not limited to, school masses and worship events/activities.
- Potential Future Responsibility: Responsible for leading the coordination of Children’s, Youth and Young Adult Liturgies. Collaborate with necessary staff such as Youth and Young Adult Director and team.
- Responsible for leading monthly Liturgy Team meeting consisting of Pastor, Parochial Vicar, liturgy committee, and others as needed. Responsible for developing and leading the agenda, including gathering any feedback from other staff, parishioners, volunteers as necessary for consideration by the Liturgy Team. Responsible for ordering hosts, wine, candles, and liturgical materials, as needed.Specific duties include:
- Provide for music and musicians for all Sunday liturgies and other major celebrations.
- Build repertoire and select liturgically appropriate music for all liturgies with a goal of engaging the congregation in worship.
- Train, direct, supervise and expand choirs, ensembles, and volunteer cantors, etc.
- Work to foster unity among all parish musicians and to create a spirit of harmony with the presider and liturgical ministers.
- Keep abreast of developments in liturgical practice and music nationally as well as Diocesan policies and guidelines and update the parish on these matters.
- Is open to ideas, concerns and suggestions that come from the Liturgy Committee concerning the execution of liturgies. Provides consultation in considering and responding to these inputs.
- Acts on any feedback from the formal evaluation process of parish life that is relevant to the music for worship and liturgies.
- Resource to School Liturgy
- Attends Liturgy Committees and Parish Staff meetings.
- Acts as liturgy liaison from parish to diocese.
- Develop children’s choir
- Attends appropriate conferences, workshops, training presented by the Diocese and other entities to remain current on Catholic liturgy and spiritual life.Stays current on developments in liturgy and music (e.g., attend LA Congress/national or regional NPM Conference).
Qualifications:
- Must be a practicing Catholic and possess strong knowledge of Catholic music and liturgy.
- The preferred applicant will have a bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent education or experience
- Strong leadership and communication skills. Good team collaboration, morale and positive conflict solving.
- Pleasant singing voice and ability to lead congregational singing.
- Skilled accompanist with ability to lead ensembles.
- Working knowledge of sound systems, microphones and projection systems.
- Computer proficiency including slide creations.
- Dependable, responsible, self-motivated, creative, accountable, and flexible with time
- Must successfully pass required background and fingerprint check.
How to apply:
Please send your completed DSJ application through DSJ website https://www.dsj.org/carerrs and send your DSJ completed application, resume and cover letter to Fr. Ritche Bueza at ritche.bueza@dsj.org