Cluster Parishes of Portsmouth and Chesapeake

With the Holiday Season underway, we want to offer a reminder to all to be vigilant against online Scams.  Scammers are out i full force during the holiday and we've gotten a few reports from the field already.   Don't be taken by those out to use the busyness and good of the season to do harm.  A few things to look out for as always:

Call, Emails, Tets, Instant Messgaes, Etc. asking for gift cards, funds, cash apps or money wires on behalf of the Biship, pastors, church staff other parishioners, etc. 

Calls, Emails, Texts, Instant Messages, Etc. indicating that your account or purchase shipment has been compromised or that you need to "click this link" to confirm your accout or order. 

Unknow person asking for your passsord, Social Security Number or access to your computer.  

If you receive suspicious communications:

Delete it.  Don't engage with the person on the other end. 

Great News!!  We are now using Flock Notes to better communicate with our parishioners.   If you haven't received a flock note it's because we don't have a good email for you.  Please send an email to [email protected] with the email you read most often.  If you are a new parishioner, please register with a good email and phone number.    

Greetings Everyone, 

Currently we have been using a Facebook Group called "Cluster Parishes of Portsmouth and Chesapeake Official Group".  We will be moving over to using a Facebook page (Cluster Parishes of Portsmouth and Chesapeake).  This allows us to be more transparent.  You don't have to join, you just have to like and follow the group to get updates.  Otherwise you can just go look at the page without any other action.  We will be live streaming masses from the Page.  I will update on the group where to go but for anyone, you can go to the page and see what is going on.   I hope this helps.  Just trying to survive the IT learning curve.  Theresa

Bishop Knestout announces the implementation of a hotline to report suspected financial, administrative or human resource misconduct within the Diocese of Richmond.

The hotline is handled through EthicsPoint, an independent, third-party reporting system, to ensure accountability and transparency. This helps to safeguard the resources entrusted to us by the people of our diocese. Reports can be made online or by phone. Employees, volunteers, clergy, parishioners and any other individual wishing to make a report can do so anonymously.

The toll-free number is 844-739-3210 and is offered in multiple languages. To submit a report online, visit the diocesan website, www.richmonddiocese.org, and select “EthicsPoint.”

The hotline number is not a 911 or emergency service number. Individuals should not use this number to report information that is of an immediate threat to life or property.

Additionally, EthicsPoint is NOT intended to receive information about sexual abuse allegations. Abuse allegations should be reported immediately to local law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-833-454-9064.

Additional information including a video message and letter from Bishop Knestout, a list of frequently asked questions and other resources regarding EthicsPoint can be found by visiting the diocesan website.

Bishop Knestout encourages anyone aware of sexual abuse of minors on the part of clergy or staff of our diocese to notify civil authorities, call the Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-833-454-9064, and reach out to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, Jennifer Sloan at 1-877-887-9603.  

Click here for additional information on how to report abuse and harassment.

Bishop Knestout has released the names of clergy in the Diocese of Richmond that have a credible and substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. The list also includes clergy from other dioceses and religious communities who served in the Diocese. Click here to view the list.

For more information on our Diocese's responses to the clergy sex abuse scandal, click here.

A smart device application for the Cluster Parishes is available for Apple and Android devices. Search for “Parish App” from WeConnect by Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Alternatively, iPhone users can text ParishApp1 to 555888 or click here and Android users can text ParishApp2 to 555888 or click here to download the application.

Enter “Cluster Parishes of Portsmouth and Chesapeake” to set your home parish. Be sure to enable messages in your device to receive push notifications, such as changes in Mass times, weather cancellations, or other important information.