DIOCESE—Volunteers met April 6 and 13 in Woodstock and Elgin for two days of training to become core team members for their parish’s Special Religious Development (SPRED) groups.

 

Volunteers were prepared to help with 6- to 10-year-olds at St. Mary in Woodstock, and with 11- to 16-year-olds at St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake and St. Thomas Moore in Elgin. 

 

Core team members are  the parish chairperson, lead catechist and activity catechist. The team leads the SPRED helper catechists and students through sessions. Students, called “special friends,” have developmental disabilities. 

 

SPRED serves four age groups: 6-10, 11-16, 17-21, and 22 and older. There are 12 community sessions per year. Helper catechists meet 12 more times to prepare for each session.

 

Additional groups are beginning to be formed in Rockford and Freeport.

 

Anyone interested in becoming part of the ministry, or who has a child, teen or adult who would benefit from it, is welcome.

 

Info: Deb LaPorte, 630-945-7586, deborahjaylaporte@gmail.com