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Diocese introduces 'Circle of Grace' program

CHARLOTTE — More than 75 faith formation coordinators, educators and priests from around the diocese gathered recently to learn about a new initiative in creating safe environments for children and teens called "Circle of Grace."

A "Circle of Grace" is the love and goodness of God that surrounds us and others. It is the recognition that God is always with us and is there to help us in difficult situations.

The Circle of Grace program was developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha to educate children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and with others. It is a program both rich in the Catholic faith and clinically sound, offering lesson plans for children from kindergarten through grade 12.

Mary Beth Hanus of the Archdiocese of Omaha, who is one of the program's creators, conducted the all-day training.

The Circle of Grace program is intended to ensure the safety, well-being and spiritual formation of children and youths in response to Article 12 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Through this program, adults assist children and youths to recognize God's love by understanding that each of us lives and moves within a Circle of Grace. This Circle of Grace encompasses each person's body, mind, heart, soul and sexuality. A prayer is used to help illustrate this concept.

Another goal of the program is to teach children and youths to seek help from a trusted adult, reinforcing God's presence in their real-life struggles.

Terri Wilhelm, director of human resources for the Diocese of Charlotte, helped coordinate the training and assists in distributing the materials to interested parishes and Catholic schools.

"It is more of a Catholic program than what we already had," Wilhelm said. "Father (Roger) Arnsparger brought it to me... The response to the training was great, which is a good sign."

The materials are also available in Spanish and the lesson plans are available in Vietnamese as well.

One educator who attended the training commented afterwards that the program is a "great Catholic framework to teach these safety lessons to our youth."

The diocese hopes to see the materials widely used in next year's classes in the parishes and schools.

Learn more

For details about the Circle of Grace program, go to www.archomaha.org, and click on the "safe environment" and "Circle of Grace" tabs. Training materials are available from the Diocese of Charlotte Human Resources office. Contact Terri Wilhelm at 704-370-3338 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

— SueAnn Howell, staff writer

A Circle of Grace

Raising your hands above your head and then

bringing your arms slowly down

keeping them outstretched.

Extending your arms

in front of you

and then behind you

embracing all of the space around you

knowing that God is in this space with you.

Then slowly

reach down to your feet.

This is your

Circle of Grace.

You are in it.