The Deaf Catholic Ministry Formation Programs (“DCMFP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring transparency in how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes our practices concerning data collected through our website, online application forms, workshop registrations, donation portals, and direct electronic communications.

By accessing or using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the practices outlined in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information directly from you when you interact with our platform, as well as technical data automatically generated during your visit:

• Contact & Identification Data: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and affiliation when you submit an inquiry, complete our program contact form, or register for continuing education sessions.

• Academic, Ministerial & Background Information: Pastoral experience, diocesan affiliation, ASL proficiency level, educational background, personal statements, and letters of recommendation submitted as part of formal applications to the Deaf Catholic Ministry Formation Programs (DCMFP).

• Workshop Registration Data: Details submitted via direct electronic communication or dedicated intake forms to register for workshops (such as the Religious Education Workshop Series).

• Donation & Payment Information: When you make a financial contribution or pay tuition/workshop fees, transaction details are processed directly through our secure third-party payment processors. DCMFP does not store full credit card numbers, debit card numbers, or sensitive financial account credentials on its servers.

• Testimonials and Media Assets: Written statements, video recordings, or photographs provided with your explicit consent to highlight alumni and student experiences.

• Technical & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, referring URLs, and general interaction metrics collected through standard server logs and cookies.

2. How We Use Your Information

We process personal information strictly for legitimate organizational, educational, and pastoral purposes:

• Program Administration: Processing applications, evaluating candidates, administering pastoral formation courses, and maintaining student records.

• Event & Workshop Management: Coordinating registrations, delivering Zoom meeting access links, and communicating schedule updates for educational workshops.

• Donor Relations & Stewardship: Processing charitable gifts, issuing donation receipts for tax-deduction purposes, and sending acknowledgments.

• Inquiries & Communication: Responding to questions submitted through our contact forms or direct email inquiries.

• Platform Security & Optimization: Monitoring website traffic, diagnosing technical errors, preventing fraudulent activities, and enhancing responsive interface performance across devices.

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Fulfilling applicable federal, state, and local reporting requirements for non-profit and educational initiatives.

3. Legal Bases and Disclosure of Information

DCMFP does not sell, rent, lease, or trade your personal information to third parties or commercial brokers for marketing purposes. We share information only under the following limited circumstances:

• Authorized Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors and cloud infrastructure partners that help us operate our website, manage forms, process donations, and provide virtual conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Google Workspace, payment gateways). These vendors are granted access only to the extent necessary to perform their services under strict confidentiality obligations.

• Collaborating Educational & Pastoral Partners: Limited registration details may be shared with designated program partners (such as collaborating youth or pastoral initiatives like DCYIA) solely to coordinate joint workshops and ministry events.

• Legal & Regulatory Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, court order, or official governmental request, or to protect the safety, rights, and property of DCMFP, our participants, or the public.

4. Cookies and Analytical Tools

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to ensure core functionality, preserve user preferences, and compile aggregate analytics regarding site performance.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain functional cookies may impact your browsing experience or limit specific features of our platform.

5. Third-Party Links and External Platforms

Our website contains links to external platforms, including video communication tools (Zoom), video-sharing networks (YouTube/Vimeo), and third-party payment gateways. DCMFP is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or policies of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy notices of any external site you visit.

6. Data Retention and Security

• Retention: We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the educational, pastoral, and administrative purposes for which it was gathered, or to comply with applicable statutory, accounting, and reporting obligations.

• Security: We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. However, no data transmission over the Internet or electronic storage system is 100% secure.

7. Children’s Online Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Our website and core formation programs are designed for adults, educators, catechists, and pastoral leaders. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under the age of 13 without verifiable parental or guardian consent. If we become aware that personal information of a child under 13 has been collected without verified consent, we will promptly delete such records.

8. Your Rights and Preferences

Depending on your jurisdiction and subject to applicable United States federal and state privacy statutes, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.

• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.

• Request the deletion of your personal contact data from our active outreach lists.

• Opt out of non-essential electronic communications at any time by contacting us directly.

• To exercise any of these options, please contact us at mfpdirectorchicago@gmail.com.

9. Modifications to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our operational procedures, technical configurations, or applicable legal standards. When updates occur, the “Last Updated” date at the top of this document will be revised accordingly. We encourage users to check this page periodically.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or our data handling practices, please contact us at:

• Organization: Deaf Catholic Ministry Formation Programs (DCMFP)

• Attention: Program Administration / Director

• Website: www.mfpchicago.org

• Contact Email: mfpdirectorchicago@gmail.com