“If every little flower wished to be a rose, nature would lose
her spring adornments, and the fields would be no longer enameled with their
varied flowers.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
In Special Religious Development (SPRED), we rejoice that God
made each one of us just as he intended.
There is a growing need in the church to provide faith formation
to children with special learning needs. It is estimated that one in seven
children has intellectual or physical disabilities. These are God’s beloved
children, and through loving and joyful instruction, SPRED helps guide people
with significant disabilities to full communion with the church.
During the recent celebration of the Mass for Persons with
Disabilities, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge challenged Catholics to be more
inclusive of people with special needs. The SPRED program helps people with
disabilities to become active in their faith community and to be included and
recognized as full faith participants.
SPRED is unlike typical religious education programs. Through
bonds of friendship and deep personal relationships, catechists help those with
disabilities discover the presence of God in everyday life situations.
Symbolism is used extensively to make instruction simple, yet meaningful, while
the practices and customs of the Catholic faith are integrated into each
lesson. SPRED catechists instruct and guide participants to the graces received
through the sacraments, and catechists become trusted faith friends, openly
sharing their personal love for Jesus.
SPRED catechesis leads children and adults to develop a sense of
the sacred, a sense of the church, a sense of Christ and a sense of God. People
with disabilities begin to know and love God so that they may be able to share
their gifts and talents with others.
SPRED helps teach people to see God’s likeness and image in
everyone.
This year, the diocese expanded the SPRED program from four to 10
parishes, with the ultimate goal of having at least one SPRED program in every diocesan
parish.
SPRED, which serves people with disabilities ages 6-60, must
expand as more families become aware of the value and success of SPRED
programs. Parishes recognize the need to include everyone in religious
education programs and SPRED helps provide religious instruction for those who
learn differently and may not be comfortable in large, general classroom
settings. Volunteers staff SPRED sessions
and training/guidance is provided for new programs and new staff.
Accessibility to SPRED and other religious education programs is
critical to promoting inclusivity in church communities for all families and
children, providing services based on abilities, not disabilities. SPRED can be a welcome addition to religious
education services at all parishes.
Emanuel is diocesan coordinator for special needs ministries.
Find out more
For more info on SPRED or sensory-sensitive Masses,
contact Nancy Emanuel, 703/224-1633 or [email protected].
To visit or enroll in a SPRED program, contact one of
these parish programs:
All Saints Parish, Manassas — ages 6–16
Church of the Nativity, Burke — ages 6–16
Sacred Heart Parish, Manassas — ages 22+
Holy Spirit Parish, Annandale — ages 22+
Corpus Christi Parish, South Riding — ages 6–16
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish,
Fredericksburg — ages 6–10 (regional program)
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Potomac Falls — ages 6-16
Our Lady of Angels Parish, Woodbridge — ages 6–10
Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington — ages 6–10
(regional program)
