Family Formation parents who complete VIRTUS receive a $25 discount (one per household) on their registration.

What is VIRTUS Training?

VIRTUS is a special training that serves the purpose of educating adults in the Catholic community about abuse prevention and how to recognize signs of and report abuse in order to create safer environments for children and vulnerable adults. This training is required of all adults who work or serve in a Catholic church or school in our diocese in any capacity.

Adults complete a 3-hour in-person or online course (Spanish is offered), which includes a background check and must be renewed every five years (if employed by the diocese or working directly with children) or every ten years (if not in contact with children).


Why do we ask parents to consider VIRTUS training?

We want to be sure all of our children are well supervised and safe at our in-person events, so upon registering a child or children for Family Formation, we are asking parents to consider completing VIRTUS training so we have plenty of volunteers to reach out to when we need extra supervision.


What if I'm not a parent with children in Family Formation?

All adults who are interested in working at or serving in our parish are invited to become VIRTUS trained. There are many wonderful opportunities to serve:

• Liturgical Ministries - Reader, Usher, Greeter, Minister of Holy Communion, etc.
• Social Outreach - food pantry, The Lord's Kitchen, etc.
• Catechists (First Communion, Confirmation, Teen Catechism)
• Family Ambassadors (outreach to families enrolled in Family Formation)Hospitality (helping set up and serve refreshments at meetings and parish social events)
• Teen Ministry leader
• Many more opportunities! 

How to begin registering for VIRTUS...

If this if your first time registering:

1. Click here to begin.
2. Click "First Time Registrant."
3. Click "View a list of sessions."
4. Choose "Bridgeport, CT (Diocese)" from the dropdown to view a list of sessions.
5. Once you find a session that works for your schedule, click "Start Registration" at the top of the screen to register. You will be asked to create a User ID and Password;  please record this so you will have it on hand if you need to log on in the future. Continue to provide the information you are asked to enter on the next screens.

If you have already been VIRTUS trained and need to re-certify, click here for instructions.
If you are already a user and do not remember your login information, email maria.aguirre@stjct.org for help.

Once you have completed your VIRTUS training, please forward a copy of your certificate to karen.smith@stjct.org.

You can also contact Ruth at receptionist@stjct.org or call (203) 375-5887 Monday - Thursday between 9:00am-1:00pm if you need help beginning your process of VIRTUS training.