PRIVACY POLICY
St. Catherine of Siena Parish respects the privacy of parishioners, visitors, volunteers, and all those who participate in our parish community. We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and to being transparent about the information we collect and how it may be used.
Information We Collect Through Our Website
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically. This may include:
- Your Internet Protocol (IP) address
- Browser and device type
- Date and time of your visit
- Pages viewed on our website
- Referring website or search engine
- Other general website usage information
This information may be used to understand how visitors use our website, maintain its security and functionality, and improve the information and services we provide.
We may also collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, such as your name, email address, telephone number, or other information submitted through a contact form, registration form, email, or other communication with the parish.
We collect only information reasonably needed for the purpose for which it is provided.
How We Use Personal Information
Information provided to St. Catherine of Siena Parish may be used to:
- Respond to inquiries and requests
- Communicate parish information and announcements
- Administer parish programs, ministries, events, and registrations
- Maintain and improve our website
- Protect the security and proper operation of our website
- Fulfil other reasonable parish and pastoral purposes for which the information was provided
We do not sell or rent personal information.
We may disclose information where required by law or where reasonably necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of individuals or the parish.
Photographs, Video and Audio at Parish Events
St. Catherine of Siena Parish occasionally takes photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings during Masses, parish celebrations, special events, ministry activities, concerts, community gatherings, and other parish activities.
These photographs or recordings may be used to document and share the life of our parish. They may appear on the parish website, parish social media accounts, video-sharing platforms, parish publications, newsletters, promotional materials, or other parish communications.
Whenever reasonably practical, the parish will provide notice when an event is being photographed or recorded. Notice may be given through an announcement, signage, event information, registration materials, the parish bulletin, the parish website, or another appropriate method.
If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the photographer, videographer, event organizer, or a parish representative. We will make reasonable efforts to respect your request and avoid intentionally including you in photographs or recordings intended for publication.
At events where photography or recording occurs spontaneously or where advance notice has inadvertently not been provided, individuals may still ask not to be photographed or recorded.
If a photograph or video containing your identifiable image has already been published by the parish and you have a privacy concern or would prefer that it not be used, please contact the parish. Where reasonably possible and appropriate, we will review the request and take reasonable steps to address the concern.
Children and Youth
We take particular care when photographs, videos, or personal information involve children and youth.
For activities specifically involving minors, the parish may seek permission from a parent or legal guardian when appropriate. Parents and guardians who do not want their child photographed or recorded should inform the parish or the organizer of the activity.
The parish will make reasonable efforts to respect these requests.
Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to other websites or use services provided by third parties, such as video platforms, social media services, maps, forms, or other online tools.
When you visit or interact with a third-party website or service, that organization’s own privacy policy and practices apply. St. Catherine of Siena Parish is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of websites and services operated by third parties.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website or services used on our website may use cookies or similar technologies to help the website function properly, understand website usage, improve performance, or provide embedded content.
Your browser may allow you to control or disable cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some parts of the website function.
Protecting Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information in our care against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, or misuse.
Access to personal information is limited, as reasonably appropriate, to individuals who require it for parish administration, ministry, communication, or other legitimate parish purposes.
Retention of Information
Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, for legitimate parish administrative or historical purposes, or as otherwise required by law.
Your Privacy Choices
You may contact us if you:
- Have questions about how your personal information is being used
- Wish to correct information you have provided
- No longer wish to receive certain parish communications
- Have a concern about a photograph or video in which you appear
- Wish to raise another privacy-related concern
We will make reasonable efforts to respond appropriately to privacy requests.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
St. Catherine of Siena Parish may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our website, parish activities, technology, or privacy practices. The most current version will be posted on this website.
Contact Us
Questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the parish’s handling of personal information may be directed to:
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Hamilton, Ontario
Please contact the parish through the contact information provided on this website.