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.

Our Lady of the Ridge - St. Linus SPRED team is committed to in-person religious education for our members with special needs. Our ministry helps Special needs children grow closer to God and prepare for their First Holy Communion.

Do you know a 6-10 years-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 years-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.

We also help to place children older than 10, and adults, in other parishes with a SPRED Ministry for their age group. Other nearby parishes host 11-17, 18-22, and 22+ years-old groups.

REGISTER! - Call the rectory 708-422-2400 for more information and registration, and leave a message
for Marie Slowinski.

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

• Willing to share your time and yourself to help our special needs children attain spirituality.
• Virtus training - 3-hour training provided by the Catholic Church (can be done online).
• SPRED training - ½ Saturday training by SPRED group at 30th and Lowe, Chicago.
• Availability on scheduled Tuesday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Please contact the rectory at 708-422-2400 for more information about becoming a SPRED Volunteer, and leave a message for Marie Slowinski.

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