Special Religious Education Development Program (SPRED) to be Offered to Children Beginning in September

SPRED (Special Religious Education Development) welcomes children with developmental disabilities and leads them toward a deeper awareness of God in their lives. The Basilica of Saint Mary’s SPRED program is open to children, ages ~6-13 years old; the ability to ready is not required. We will meet on Mondays, at 5:30 p.m., for 1.5-2 hours in the Saint Joseph Room in the Lyceum (313 Duke Street). With adult volunteer friends, the program offers joyful activities intended to enrich the life of those living with disabilities by stirring an awareness of God, bringing forth an awareness of themselves as persons of dignity who are loved by Him, and preparing the children for sacraments.

This is accomplished by meaningful one-on-one relationships within a small faith community. SPRED meets on Sept. 25, Oct. 16, 23, 30, and Dec. 18, 2023; Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 26, Mar 18, April 15, 22, and May 20, 2024. Questions? Please contact Susan Gray at sgray@stmaryoldtown.org, call 703-836-4100 ext. 3023 or register at bit.ly/3spKC6M.

Also, mark your calendars for the Bishop’s Annual Disability Awareness Mass October 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Annandale, VA.

We call on Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Sedes Sapientiae, for continued guidance as SPRED is relaunched for parish families.