The Baptismal guidelines (English and Spanish), is provided by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Office of Catechesis to offer best practices for parish leaders preparing parents for the Baptism of their infant children. Recommended resources are also available on the website.

Adopted by the late Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, the Confirmation Guidelines provide clarity to those responsible for planning and preparation of youth receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Reception guidelines for marriage, the most sacred covenant between a man and woman, can be found here.

Pastoral guidelines for local Churches prepared by Pope Francis guide the marriage process for catechumen.

Pastoral guidelines for local Churches prepared by Pope Francis guide the marriage process for catechumen.

The Sacramental Records Handbook provides guidance for pastors and their appointed delegates who are responsible for the accurate recording, maintenance, and preservation of parish sacramental records. These records document the sacramental life of the faithful and are an important part of both an individual’s relationship with the Church and the historical record of the parish and Archdiocese.

Curriculum Guidelines provided by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis are the primary guide for the content taught in parish catechetical programs and Catholic schools.

Spiritual direction can be a valuable part of a young person’s growth in faith, helping them recognize God’s presence and respond more fully to His call in their lives. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis provides specific guidelines to ensure these relationships maintain appropriate boundaries, transparency, and a safe environment for young people.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis provides practical guidelines for those who engage in ministry to minors, endangered adults, or vulnerable adults. The following set of guidelines for conduct must be observed by all staff and volunteers of the archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis utilizes Safe Parish as part of its ongoing commitment to the care and protection of children. This program is designed to raise awareness of child abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse, and to provide clear guidance on how to report concerns.

The training is available online, in both English and Spanish, 24/7. It can be completed in about an hour and must be renewed every five years. Step-by-step user guides are provided for general youth ministry volunteers and athletic officials.

Archbishop Thompson has outlined the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ expectations for Safe Environment training for youth in this memo. Additional information, resources, and guidance are available through the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment website.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis provides the Circle of Grace curriculum at no cost to all parishes. Curriculum materials are available through a password-protected page. To request the password and access the materials, please contact team@catalystcatholic.org.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis requires each parish and school to complete an annual Accountability Form annually by December 31. If a parish also has a school reporting, the numbers should be combined and submitted together on one accountability form.

Parents may choose whether their child participates in Safe Environment training, such as Circle of Grace. Parents who do not wish for their child to participate are asked to complete and return the Safe Environment Training Opt-Out Form.

Each employee should receive a hard copy of, or have digital access to, the current Employee Handbook, dated October 1, 2024. The handbook should be used as the primary reference for employment-related questions.

WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, and the like make it easy for leaders and minors to have one-on-one communication. To ensure all interactions are transparent and safety-minded, follow these tips provided by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has established social media and electronic communication policies to help ensure that interactions with minors remain safe, appropriate, transparent, and consistent with the Church’s commitment to child protection.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis provides protocols for vetting speakers invited to participate in parish, school, and Archdiocesan events. These guidelines help ensure that speakers demonstrate fidelity to Catholic teaching and that their participation supports the Church’s mission to evangelize, catechize, and form the faithful while avoiding confusion or scandal.

Although it is strongly recommended that medication be given in the home, the health of some youth may require that they take medication or receive other medical care while in the care of the parish staff during parish/deanery activities. For this reason, a medical policy has been implemented and a sample medical release is recommended.

**Please note that Archdiocesan personnel are generally protected from liability for administering emergency first aid in good faith by the Indiana Good Samaritan Law (IC 34-30-12).

A memo, provided by General Counsel for the Archdiocese, provides guidelines for the use of inflatable rentals.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis van policy prohibits the use of 15-passenger vans for ministry-related transportation. The Deanery maintains a mini-bus and 12-passenger van, which are permitted, to provide safer transportation options for ministry and program needs. Learn more about our available resources here.