SPecial Religious Education Department
3705 Dorisa Avenue
Oakland, California 94605
spredoakdiocese@igc.org

"“As disciples of Jesus Christ we are committed to embrace the marginalized and, in particular, to assist those with special needs to enter into full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. SPRED is a quality program that benefits persons with developmental disabilities, their catechists and families. Through a catechetical approach designed to nurture the whole person the potential of a person with disabilities can be developed. The goal is to enable individuals with disabilities to become contributing members of their parish community.

I had the opportunity to celebrate the Annual Diocesan SPRED liturgy this year and was heartened by the depth of spirituality and simple joy that was evident among the members of the SPRED community as we worshipped together.” "

Allen H. Vigneron, 
Bishop of Oakland

Since the parish is the door to participation in the Christian experience, it is the responsibility of both pastors and laity to assure that those doors are always open. ...There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities. ...We are one flock that follows a single shepherd.

Pastoral Statement of
U.S. Catholic Bishops
on Persons with Disabilities, 1998

  
Procession: we are on the journey

 

We are on the journey. Retreatants process during liturgy at the 30th Annual SPRED Labor Day Retreat 2007, San Damiano, Danville.

Mission Statement
To integrate people with developmental disabilities into the faith and life of the church.

What We Do
Spred assists parish communities in reaching out and welcoming children, teens and adults with special needs into parish life. This integration is accomplished by creating small communities of faith where trained volunteers and persons with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, severe cerebral palsy, autism, and severe epilepsy may worship in a nurturing and believing environment. The goal of Spred is to provide the best possible environment in which persons with developmental disabilities can experience ongoing faith formation, as well as positive integration into the liturgical and community life of the church. A bridge is formed between those with special needs and their parish community where each is challenged to grow in faith, to share and celebrate his or her unique gifts and dignity with those who say “Welcome”.

Staff
Sister Aurora Pérez, SHF
Director of SPRED
510-635-7252		  

Who We Are

Catechist volunteers are:

  • Catholic adults 22 years and older
  • Desiring to become a friend and model for a person with a developmental disability within the context of a small faith community of believers
  • Willing to attend training provided by Spred staff
  • Making a commitment of 3 hours a week from October through May (excluding holidays)
  • Open to sharing and growing in faith with others

Spred participants (members) are:

  • Catholic (or asking to become Catholic)
  • Children, teens or adults with developmental disabilities
  • Desiring to participate fully in the faith and life of their parish community through participation in a Spred center (small faith group)
  • Experiencing faith formation in an environment of friendship and love

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