SPRED is a ministry for developmentally disabled children and adults. The SPRED mission is to help our friends feel the Spirit of Christ and develop a sense of the Sacred, a sense of God. A child enters SPRED at approximately age 6 and continues for all of their adult life.

COVID has changed all of our lives. The impact on the Special Needs community has been especially harsh. Opportunities that we have taken for granted in the past were completely shut down and some still remain that way. That is why the Our Lady of the Ridge - St. Linus SPRED team is committed to in-person religious education for our members with special needs.

Do you know a 6 - 10-year-old that has special needs? Do you know a child with special needs who wants to make his/her First Holy Communion?

Our Lady of the Ridge - St. Linus SPRED has a dedicated group of volunteers that will work to make this happen. The only requirement is that the child belongs to a parish. Our 6 - 10-year-old group meets on 12 designated Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 pm at Our Lady of the Ridge. We have our own dedicated room.

Do you know a person with special needs age 11 years or older that is interested in religious training?

Our Lady of the Ridge - St. Linus’ SPRED group will work to help place that child or adult in a SPRED group best for them. Some groups are opening very slowly so we do need volunteers to help make SPRED openings happen.

Are you interested in helping a special needs child or adult find meaning in their religion? Or in helping them feel the Holy Spirit?

Please contact the rectory at 708-422-2400 for more information about becoming a SPRED Volunteer.

If you have any other questions or would like to register for SPRED, please contact the rectory.