Special Religious Education | Diocese of Oakland

Upcoming Spred events

Feb 6, 2026 Mar 14 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

SPRED Catechist Appreciation Luncheon

Saturday, March 14, 2026 12-2pm St. Paschal Baylon Parish Hall 3700 Dorisa Avenue Oakland, CA 94605 Appreciation Luncheon for all current SPRED Catechists and 2025 Labor Day Catechists. Email spredinfo@oakdiocese.org…

Feb 6, 2026 Mar 24 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

SPRED ZOOM Informational Meeting

Friends, Families & Interested Persons–Discover the Special Religious Education Ministry (SPRED): How SPRED serves individuals with Special Needs (our “Friends”) SPRED develops small communities of faith, based on friendship. SPRED…

Feb 6, 2026 Apr 17 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

SPRED Confirmation Mass

Friday, April 17, 2023, at 7pm Divine Mercy Parish at St. Paschal Baylon 3700 Dorisa Ave. Oakland CA The SPRED Diocesan communities will celebrate their triennial Confirmation with a special…

The same Jesus who heard the cry for recognition from the disabled of Judea and Samaria 2000 years ago calls us, his followers, to embrace our responsibility to our own...brothers and sisters...for their fuller integration into the Christian community and their fuller participation in its life." -U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities, 1978

who we are

SPRED, the SPecial Religious Education Department, assists parishes in the Diocese of Oakland reach out and integrate children, teens, and adults with special needs into the parish family. Volunteer catechists play a vital role in assisting individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, severe cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy so they may grow spiritually among friends, receive ongoing faith formation and participate in the liturgical and community life of the Church.

find resources

For Families & Participants

For Catechists & Helpers

For Supporters

For Families & Participants

Find a SPRED Parish Center

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Updated 1/21/26

SPRED Forms

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Participant Information Form

Video & Photo Release Form

Waitlist Intake Form

SPRED Terminology

Friend- A person with a developmental disability and participant in SPRED.

Helper Catechist- An adult who wishes to share his/her faith in a small faith group comprised of other Helper Catechists and Friends.

SPRED Parish Center- Small faith sharing group comprised of Friends and Catechists. They are located in different parishes throughout the Diocese. Centers are usually no bigger than 16 Catechists and Friends.

Method Vivre- A type of symbolic catechesis method used by SPRED to help Friends and Catechists grow in their faith.

Age Groups- SPRED divides the Centers by age. There are four different age groups- 6-10, 11-16, 17-21 and 22 and older.

Sacraments

For Catechists & Helpers

Upcoming Trainings

Please check back for upcoming trainings.

SPRED Catechist Forms

Click the button to download the PDF forms

Catechist Information Form

Video & Photo Release Form

Eligibility of Catechists

A volunteer, 18 years or older, has agreed to complete Safe Environment (fingerprints and Safe Environment training) before joining the group. Additionally, it is necessary to take the SPRED trainings before the SPRED year begins or within one year of joining SPRED. The volunteer catechist agrees to attend 12 catechist preparation sessions and 12 integrated sessions (total community) from October to May (approximately 2-3 hours per session) and SPRED Liturgies, both the Diocesan and within the parish. The volunteer also agrees to abide by the SPRED standards, contract and policies in SPRED.

Training Information

HELPER CATECHIST TRAININGS

A one-day training course required for all SPRED Catechists
Standards and expectations for serving in SPRED ministry
Importance of preparation phase within a small community of faith
Meaning & purpose of Agape

INTRODUCTION TO SPRED (2-1)

A two-day training course taken on consecutive Saturdays required for Leader Catechists, Activity Catechists, and Parish Chairpersons:

Part A
- Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities
- History of SPRED Chicago/Oakland & specialized catechetics
- Method Vivre & meeting in a small community of faith
Part B
- Roles & Standards of SPRED
- Total Community of catechists & Friends
- Meaning of Faith and Revelation in specialized catechetics

SPRED Terminology

Friend- A person with a developmental disability and participant in SPRED.

Helper Catechist- An adult who wishes to share his/her faith in a small faith group comprised of other Helper Catechists and Friends.

Method Vivre- A type of symbolic catechesis method used by SPRED to help Friends and Catechists grow in their faith.

Age Groups- SPRED divides the Centers by age. There are four different age groups- 6-10, 11-16, 17-21 and 22 and older.

For Supporters

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Have Questions? Please contact our office

Michelle Martinez-Kilty

SPRED Coordinator

510-273-4979

mmartinez-kilty@oakdiocese.org

special religious education "To integrate people with developmental disabilities to the faith and life of the church."