| Spred |
 SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONSpred consists of small groups of people in parishes who come together to form little communities of faith and friendship with people who have learning disabilities. The groups grow together by following an appropriate method of catechesis designed and arranged to meet their needs. Our aim is to prepare the way for full participation in the liturgical life of parish community. A bond of friendship, trust and faith is fostered within the core group at the fortnightly preparation session. Then the following week we warmly welcome our friends whose greatest need is to feel that they belong. Initially, we seat with our own friend while we spend quality time working with activities. This enables us to settle and quieten ourselves in order that when we move to the next area we will be ready and open to receive God’s word. In the celebration area we gather around the Bible. With the help of a symbol, the leader leads the group in recalling and reliving some event from the past. This experience is then linked with the liturgy and with the scriptures. Each person is given a message e.g. “Mary, Jesus says to you tonight, thank you for being my friend.” Our evening ends with a friendship meal consisting of a cuppa and a chat. During the evening we have experienced a sense of love, sacredness, wonder, community, Church and Jesus. At the moment in the Armagh Archdiocese there are 11 groups: Armagh, Coalisland, Crossmaglen, Dundalk – Holy Family & St. Patrick’s, If you are interested in setting up a group or would like more information please contact: Patricia Lennon, Co-ordinator, |
