Evangelization Supplement 2008
‘A direct line to God’:
SPRED program catechizes people with developmental disabilities
St. Mark the Evangelist parishioner and SPRED participant Mike Risch of Indianapolis welcomes people to St. Mark Church on April 27 for the archdiocesan SPRED Mass. St. Mark parishioner and SPRED participant John McGee, left, also hands out liturgy guides.
(Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)
By Mary Ann Wyand
Ten-year-old Tyler James was excited about his baptism during the archdiocesan Special Religious Education program Mass on April 27 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis.
Tyler participates in the SPRED Group at St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, and his parents, Dr. Nettie Viera and Richard James, were hopeful that he would understand the meaning of the sacrament.
Smiling, Tyler asked questions as Father Daniel Staublin guided him through the rite of baptism. He was curious about the baptismal font, held very still when the holy water was poured on his head, joyfully accepted the lit candle that represents the light of Christ, and said “thank you” to the priest.
His parents were overjoyed that their son, who has developmental disabilities, was able to be received into the Church.
As pastor of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, Father Staublin enjoys participating in the archdiocesan SPRED ministry of faith sharing and symbolic catechesis, which prepares people with special needs to receive the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation and the Eucharist.
During his homily at the SPRED Mass, Father Staublin reminded everyone that Jesus will always be with us.
“No matter where we wander, Jesus is always in the crowd, always with us,” Father Staublin said. “He sent his Spirit to be with us. So every time we might feel like we’re a little lost or a little alone or we’re not sure where we are, all we have to do is look through the eyes of faith and that Spirit of God will show itself, usually in other people. Maybe it’s our Mom or Dad or brothers or sisters or the people we live with. God is always there, and it is that Spirit that we receive in baptism, … that Spirit and presence of God that is always with us. So we don’t have to be afraid. We don’t have to be alone.”
Father George Plaster, pastor of St. Mark Parish, ministered to people with developmental disabilities at the former St. Vincent New Hope in Indianapolis for 10 years and celebrated Mass there weekly when he served as a hospital chaplain.
He said the SPRED Mass “brings back memories” because he got to see some old friends who used to live at New Hope.
“It was very heartwarming,” Father Plaster said of the liturgy attended by about 170 SPRED friends, family members, catechists and guests.
“The people’s faith is very sincere,” he said. “It’s really an honor to be able to host this special liturgy. I believe those who are called to this ministry [as volunteer catechists] must receive many graces and blessings so they’re able to help people who are in need of special religious education.”
St. Mark parishioner Mike Risch, who has Down syndrome, enjoys participating in SPRED liturgies, retreats, faith-sharing groups and social activities. He helped with the Mass as a hospitality minister.
“It made me happy,” Risch said, to welcome people to his parish and watch as Tyler was baptized in the Catholic faith.
Looking at his small, gold crucifix pin on his tie, Risch said, “I like to wear it for Jesus.”
Twelve parishes in central and southern Indiana host SPRED Groups.
St. Paul Parish in Tell City has offered this ministry for 30 years. St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg and St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis began SPRED Groups 10 years ago. St. Louis Parish in Batesville, St. Thomas More Parish in Mooresville and the Richmond Catholic Community also host SPRED Groups.
In Indianapolis, people with developmental disabilities may also participate in SPRED at St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Monica, Holy Spirit, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Mark the Evangelist and St. Simon the Apostle parishes.
Roni Wyld, coordinator of the 10-year-old SPRED ministry for the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education, said the program provides faith sharing, symbolic catechesis and sacramental preparation for children from age 6 and adults.
“People with developmental disabilities have all different levels of abilities,” Wyld explained. “We celebrate our friends’ abilities. … We pair them with [volunteer] companions and use symbolic catechesis. We start with symbols from everyday life and proceed from that. We meet with our friends at the parishes twice a month through the school year. We have a reading from the Gospels, share a faith message with every person and use motions with songs.”
During liturgies, she said, “we slow the Mass down a little bit so it’s easier for people to stay with us.”
Wyld said she feels the presence of the Holy Spirit in this beautiful, inclusive ministry for the multifaceted body of Christ.
“Our [SPRED] friends have such a deep faith,” she said. “They are so honest and open and trusting. They know that God loves them. They will tell you that God loves you. They will tell you that they love you. They bring you into their world of purity and holiness. It’s like a direct line to God.”
SPRED participants enjoy sharing their faith, Wyld said, and know how to evangelize others. They invite their friends with developmental disabilities to SPRED Group activities, and many of their guests later join the Church.
Wyld hopes more parishes will begin SPRED Groups to serve people of all ages with special religious education needs.
“We all have disabilities,” she said. “Some of us just wear them on the outside. Some of us have them on the inside. This is the family of God. This is the body of Christ. … Every single person has a gift to share. It doesn’t matter about their ability or disability.”
St. Pius X parishioners Joe and Jan Stetzel of Indianapolis are grateful that their 36-year-old daughter, Jenny, is able to participate in the SPRED ministry.
“I think children and adults with special needs are so close to God anyway,” Jan Stetzel said, “but helping them understand and appreciate their faith is so important.”
(For information about the archdiocesan SPRED program, call Roni Wyld at 317-236-1448 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1448.) †
