Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name and contact information (email, phone number, address)
• Information submitted through contact forms or event registrations
• Prayer requests and pastoral care communications
• Donation information and financial details (processed securely)
• Ministry participation and volunteer information
• Sacramental preparation details

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and browser information
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website information
• Device and operating system information
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Parish Services and Communication

• Providing information about Mass times, events, and parish activities
• Processing event registrations and sacramental preparations
• Responding to inquiries and providing pastoral care
• Sending parish newsletters and important announcements
• Coordinating ministry activities and volunteer opportunities

Website Functionality

• Improving our website's performance and user experience
• Analyzing website usage to enhance our services
• Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
• Customizing content based on your preferences

Administrative Purposes

• Maintaining parish records and membership information
• Processing donations and providing tax receipts
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
• Protecting the rights and safety of our parish community

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Within Our Parish Community

• With parish staff and clergy for pastoral care and administrative purposes
• With ministry leaders for coordination of activities (with your consent)
• In parish directories (only with explicit permission)

Service Providers

• Third-party services that help us operate our website and services
• Payment processors for donation transactions (using secure methods)
• Email service providers for parish communications
• Website hosting and technical support services

Legal Requirements

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of our parish or others
• In connection with legal proceedings or investigations

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure storage of physical and electronic records
• Staff training on privacy and data protection practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Objection: Object to certain processing of your personal information
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where applicable

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

For parish programs involving minors, we obtain appropriate parental consent and follow child protection policies in accordance with Catholic Church guidelines.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers are conducted in accordance with applicable privacy laws and with appropriate safeguards in place.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Factors we consider in determining retention periods include:

• The nature and sensitivity of the information
• Legal and regulatory requirements
• Parish administrative needs
• Your relationship with our parish community

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.