Religious education program opens hearts of the disabled

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CUMBERLAND — When one group of developmentally-challenged adults gathers with their friends to participate in a Special Religious Education meeting, known as SPRED, they share a very powerful and transforming experience.

The men and women, all in their 40s, meet bi-weekly at St. Joan of Arc Parish to welcome Jesus and each other into their hearts. In addition to prayer, reflection and song, the participants enjoy a variety of activities designed to allow them to focus on and hear the Word of God. While each member of the group received their sacraments many years ago, the adult students continue to meet to support each other on their faith journey and to celebrate strong friendships that have developed over many years.

Each participant, referred to as a friend, is paired with a volunteer from a local parish who is there to provide stability, assistance and support when necessary. In addition, each session is conducted by a lead catechist, assisted by an activity catechist.

“God is never finished with us,” said Colleen Touchette, coordinator of Special Religious Education for the Diocese of Providence, explaining the importance for adult religious education. “We need to continually nourish our faith by building relationships with each other and with our God.”

Participants attend the two-hour long sessions following the school calendar and begin each meeting with a 45-minute activity period called Preparation Time, during which they enjoy a relaxing activity while listening to tranquil instrumental music. Students and the catechist work individually and may choose from a variety of activities that require them to use their God-given senses and creativity. Touchette reported that one of the most popular choices is the tasting table, where different foods are sampled.

“This is time to empty yourself from all your worries, and to prepare to receive the word of God,” said Irma Rodriguez, a program staff member and parishioner of St. Theresa Church in Nasonville. “The catechists’ role is to model for our friends with disabilities.”

Rodriguez stressed the importance of enjoying activities in a peaceful, prayerful environment.

“Slowly they will recognize the presence of God in everything,” she added. “We don’t tell them that — we model that. They recognize this as a sacred place and emulate this when they go to church.”

Following the activity session, the group assembles in a circle. The lights are dimmed and Touchette greets each member.

“It’s so good to see you,” she said.

In another circle assembled in Celebration Room, the group gathers for prayer, a short Scripture reading, reflection and song. As the volunteers and their friends grasps each other’s hands to pray, it’s evident that the presence of God filled the room and their hearts.

“We give life to each other, we help each other,” Touchette said quietly.

The evening ends with Agape, a time for sharing food, love and joy. Touchette noted that they were celebrating the 40th birthday of one of the friends.

“I’m getting old, I’m starting to get gray hair,” said the birthday celebrant. Everyone laughed and clapped, before offering a prayer of thanksgiving and enjoying refreshments.

Touchette noted that the SPRED program serves 250 students throughout the diocese from 75 parishes. More than 300 volunteer in the program, which is adapted from a model developed in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Volunteers meet weekly to plan sessions, reflect and pray.

The SPRED program is conducted at 16 regional centers throughout the diocese, and provides special religious education to students challenged by a variety of neurological conditions. The students are taught in four groups according to age: 6-10; 11-16; 17-21; 22 and older.

“We try to stress the importance of having the catechist from the same parish as the person with disabilities,” said Touchette, adding that the volunteers often attend Mass and social events with their friends from the SPRED program in an effort to integrate the participants more fully into the liturgical, sacramental and social life of their parish. While students prepare for the sacraments at a SPRED center, they receive them at their local parish with their peers.

Touchette said the SPRED program would not exist without the funding it receives from the Catholic Charities Fund Appeal. Last year, the program received a $70,417 grant from the diocese. Additional support from parishes, the Knights of Columbus, and private donors partially funds SPRED centers.

“We get help from CCFA for staff salaries, training for catechists, enrichment programs and for our annual picnic,” she said. “We wouldn’t be able to train and support our catechists, the children and their families.”

For more information about the SPRED program, call 658-1174.