spred

Special Religious Education Development (SPRED)

The fundamental premise of the program is that the Church, the Sacraments, and the Love of God are here for all of us.

The fundamental premise SPRED is that the Church, the Sacraments, and the Love of God are here for all of us. Every man, woman and child has a right to come into the Church and live her liturgy, experience her rich history and traditions, and feel the presence of God in their lives. It is our obligation as Christians to help as we can to make that right a reality for those with physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual challenges.

Mission

The mission of the Saint Edna SPRED Program is to assist in sharing the Word and the Love of God with people (ages 6 through adulthood) who have developmental disabilities. 


Age Group

The SPRED Program at Saint Edna ministers to children ages 6-10. We will seek placement for persons age 11 through adulthood in the nearest age appropriate parish SPRED Program.


Meeting

SPRED meets monthly on Saturday morning from 9:30-11:30.

If you have a child or know of someone with special challenges who would benefit from a SPRED Program, please contact our Parish Office at 847-398-3362 or the links below. 


Volunteers

If you are interested in participating as an adult volunteer in our community, please call our St. Edna office. No prior experience is needed. Training and observation is offered throughout the year.


Contacts

Jeannie Williams   Email   

Lorie Crepeau Email


SPRED Community

Kathie Galvani  - Leader Catechist
Jeannie Williams   - Activity Catechist
Cynthia Jochum - Catechist

SPRED Cathechist View - You've Got a Friend


      You’ve got a friend…

It is within the context of friendship that the person with developmental disabilities comes to know Jesus. We, the community of St. Edna, have a responsibility to each other to be that sign of Christ to our friends. When we gather, when we are happy, when we receive the sacraments, when we share food, when we hear God’s word, when we celebrate creation, and when we care for one another, we meet Jesus.


I have been involved with SPRED at various times in my life. It has always been a joyful experience and one in which I have learned so much from our friends. Laughter, prayer, kindness, patience, joy, acceptance, humility, steadfastness, and courage are ever present in our sessions together.


When I was a young child, my Uncle John had been a widower for a long time. He would come to family functions or stop by the house, but he wouldn’t stay long. Uncle John was deaf. He had all the characteristics I mentioned above, especially courage and joy. Our family and guests couldn’t fully communicate with him, but I recall just enjoying being in his company and seeing his smile. His challenging disability provided the ribbon that tied me to his presence.


Within the SPRED community of friends and catechists, just being present is the grace filled path that leads the developmentally challenged and the adults to a deeper experience of God. Together we put aside the outside and enter the center. It is there in the midst of the disabled of our community that I continually seek and find the connection between what I do in the mundane everyday events of life and our Lord. This ministry has gifted me with a sense of belonging to the larger community of St Edna.


The SPRED community shows me again and again, that when we gather, when we are happy, when we receive the sacraments, when we share food, when we hear God’s word, when we celebrate creation, and when we care for one another, we meet Jesus. That is the simple message of a Christian life. That is the simple message of SPRED.


We have children waiting to join our group but cannot without an adult catechist. Please consider saying “YES” to SPRED.


A friend is waiting!

  - Cynthia Jochum


From the Perspective of a Helper Catechist


Being a Helper Catechist in the SPRED Program for two years, I have grown in my appreciation for the way God's Word is taught to the children who need a little extra help learning about Jesus and His abundant love for them. Guiding, leading by example, and encouraging the 6-10 year old participants in the St. Edna SPRED program continues to be a satisfying and enriching experience for me. The support and camaraderie of my fellow catechists reinforces my desire to make a positive contribution to the spiritual growth of the children. "Blessed are the pure of heart: For they shall see God."


Participation in the SPRED Ministry is a gentle reminder to me of the Church's mission to help all enter, one day, the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us truly be one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.


Linda Hoskins

SPRED Catechist

IN NEED OF FRIENDS


The St. Edna Parish SPRED (Special Religious Development)  community has been welcoming 6-10 year old children with developmental disabilities for over 15 years. The goal of SPRED is to welcome persons with developmental disabilities into participation in the liturgical life of their parish. SPRED participants are identified as “Friends” in the community setting. SPRED communities in parishes throughout the archdiocese accommodate Friends into adulthood so there is continuity in their participation in liturgical life.


The St. Edna SPRED community needs catechists so that we may welcome new Friends. Every Friend needs a catechist to participate in the SPRED community. Currently we cannot welcome any more Friends until more catechists are available. The commitment involves one evening a month with an adult preparation session and one Saturday morning a month for the Total Community session with Friends and Catechists. Training and preparation for participation in SPRED for catechists is provided in the program. (The minimum age for catechists is 21.)


If you are interested in hearing more about joining the SPRED community, please email:

Jeannie Williams  -  Email