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SPRED is a programme for children, teenagers, young adults and adults with disability, learning-disabled, mental limitation.

Aims of SPRED

• To accompany people with developmental disabilities on their faith journey.
• To enable these people to take their rightful place in the parish community.

The concept of friendship is central to the SPRED method. Jesus said, "I call you friends". FRIEND! What is more precious than a true friend, one who is there for us ? In SPRED we use the word friend of one another.

SPRED is a life-long programme as we can never stop growing in our relationship with God. Respectful of the life experience of each person, SPRED groups are formed according to chronological age.

Things you might like to know about SPRED

1. At Baptism a parish welcomes a new member to the community and promises support on the journey of faith.
2. Baptised, learning-disabled people are members of our parish communities.
3. Learning-disabled people, like others, have gifts to share with the parish community.
4. Baptised, learning-disabled people have a right to the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist.
5. Learning-disabled people are educable in Faith if an appropriate catechetical methodology is used.
6. SPRED offers parishes the materials and training to support its learning-disabled members.
7. SPRED groups meet locally.
8. SPRED groups need a sacred place to meet as they gather to experience the Presence of God with them.
9. SPRED volunteers are parishioners
10. Every volunteer in SPRED is trained before joining a group.
11. Respecting chronological age, SPRED works with different age groups: children, teenagers, young adults and adults.
12. Inclusion in the life of the parish community - at all levels - is the goal of SPRED

HOW DOES SPRED WORK

How many people are in a SPRED group?

There are 6 friends and 6 trained volunteer helpers working on a one-to-one relationship. There are also 2 people in leadership roles, i.e. a total of 14 maximum.

How often are SPRED Sessions held? Twice a fortnight for the volunteer helpers and once a fortnight for the friends. There is the usual holiday period in the winter and summer.

Are there different age groups?
There are 4 age groups:
6-10 year olds; 11-16 year olds; 17-21 young adults, and adult groups. Ther is no age limit as SPRED nourishes the life of faith and no one ever stops growing in their relationship with God.

LEARN AND SHARE FAITH

RELATIONSHIP WITH A FRIEND

PRACTICAL DETAILS

How many people are in each SPRED group?
A total of fourteen (14). Eight (8) trained volunteer helpers and six (6) friends.

How often are SPRED Sessions held?
The SPRED session for you will be once a week. The sessions run from February through to June, and August to November. A calendar of dates as to when you are due to attend will be issued to you.

When are the Sessions held?
Usually on the weekends. It depends on your parish SPRED group.

TRAINING

Need to train
SPRED is essentially about passing on faith and therefore there is a need to learn how this is done. A training programme that runs for one night or day a week for ten weeks caters for this need.

Commitment
Because SPRED is based on forming relationships with other people, especially our friends, there is a need for definite commitment. It is this faithfulness that speaks louder than words.

For any more information, queries and questions, or if you would like to start a group in your parish please contact the Office at:

SPRED is an internationally tried and tested programme, having been developed from the method "Vivre" researched and written by Fr. Jean Mesny of Lyon, in the late 1950's and the doctoral thesis of priest-psychologist Euchariste Paulhas:-L' Educabilite Religieuse des Deficients Mentaux. These two works were enhanced by research and refined by personnel in the Chicago Diocesan Cathechetical Department. The programme is sound educationally, psychologically as well as theologically. Each country which adopts SPRED is given a basic outline from which a locally based programme evolves, ensuring that both the programme and the training are centered within the local church.

Sr. Kathleen

Hi - it was marvellous to read your beautiful web page today - congratulations. I need to get someone to write one for us. Our AGM is tomorrow 3rd. March. All good wishes to all involved in SPRED

-- Kathleen Hogg on March 03, 2005 02:32 PM (view details)