Special Religious Education Division (SPRED)
Spred is a program of religious education especially designed to meet the spiritual needs of persons with developmental disabilities. This program has been in place here at Our Lady of the Ridge since 1972. Our mission is to provide an opportunity in our Christian community for meaningful participation in the worship experience and to share our faith in ways that they can understand. Our group consists of young adults who are all over 22 years of age. We meet every other Thursday during the regular school year for 12 sessions. We want them to know that they are not only loved but are wanted as members of our parish.
We share a quiet time with them in preparation for the celebration period. With the Bible, flowers and candles as a focal point, a symbol of every day life is displayed, perhaps a leaf, a beautiful picture, or someone being kind to another person. Then a short passage is read from the Bible and our thoughts are shared and music is played. Our session ends with a sharing of food,fellowship and prayers.
Between each of these gatherings the catechist meet to prepare the symbol, the music and the readings for our next meeting with our friends. We have 12 preparation sessions that last about two and half hours. Our sessions with our friends last about two hours.
It is a most rewarding ministry. St. Luke said that Jesus said Love one another, and that is what we all do. Please contact the rectory for more information.