After Mass last Sunday, a parishioner greeted me and said the following: “thank you for protecting the church, but what are you doing for us?” I appreciated her directness which I found refreshing. More than that, though, her question about security at our parish was perfect. Our new Parish Security Committee had just met for the first time the day before. The committee suggested that I present to you soon the security protocols we will be implementing for parish security. My answer to the parishioner’s direct question was an outline of those protocols, and she was grateful that they will be done. Our brief exchange taught me to present these to you now:
OLVP Parish Security 2022-23
1. Establish a Security Committee which consists of a team of five parishioners which includes a Montgomery County Police Officer.
2. Post the Parish Emergency Response Procedures flip chart as prepared by the Archdiocesan Parish Security Committee in a prominent place in our church. “The flip chart covers emergency response guidelines for many common scenarios such as medical emergency as well as infrequent scenarios such as an active shooter” (ADW).
3. Provide a QR code to parishioners for virtual and regular access to the flip chart.
4. Equip ushers with copies of the flip chart in pocket-size, laminated cards.
5. Train ushers and parishioners for emergency procedures (including CPR).
6. Request that parishioners who are professionals in the fields relevant to the flip chart scenarios present themselves to the pastor. This would include police officers, security specialists, firefighters, doctors, nurses, engineers, etc. The goal is to have one first-responder at every Sunday Mass.
7. Inform those in the congregation of all exits from the church pews. There are three including the stair case behind the choir and ramp in the front right side of the church.
8. Have a police presence (officer in uniform and cruiser in the lower parking lot) during every session of Faith Formation. This is a proven deterrent to school violence. This will be an investment in our children’s security; the parish will split the costs with parents of Faith Formation.
As I said last weekend at the start of Masses, I hope that we all will feel welcomed, safe, and at peace in God’s House.
May you know the peace of Christ,
Fr Greg