Catechesis Supplement

‘Lots of joy’ at annual SPREAD retreat for those with special needs

Participants, volunteers and catechists pose for a photo on July 23 at the Benedict Inn and Conference Center in Beech Grove after the 23rd annual summer Special Religious Education and Discipleship retreat for those with special needs. Among the catechists are Shannon Farrell, far left on fourth step, and archdiocesan special needs coordinator Jennifer Bryans, far right on fifth step. (Submitted photo)

By Natalie Hoefer

For 23 years, a special group of people have met for an annual summer retreat.

It’s a retreat that spreads joy, spreads the word of God and spreads the light of Christ.

In light of all that “spreading,” perhaps it’s providential that the acronym for the annual Special Religious Education and Discipleship summer gathering is the “SPREAD” Retreat.

The most recent retreat was held on July 22-23 at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove, with 28 participants.

“The goal is to bring all the SPREAD groups together in community for a weekend with a spiritual focus,” says Jennifer Bryans, disabilities ministry coordinator for the archdiocesan Office of Catechesis.

SPREAD (formerly SPRED for Special Religious Development) groups have been active in the archdiocese since 1997 as a means of providing regular faith formation to people with developmental disabilities.

“When they all come together for the retreat, it’s like a big family reunion,” says Bryans. “They haven’t seen each other for a year, so there’s lots of hugging, lots of laughter, lots of joy.”

Each annual retreat centers around a catechetical message.

“Usually, the theme is based on a verse from the Bible,” Bryans explains. “This time we chose ‘Footprints in the Sand,’ ” from the popular, anonymously-written poem “Footprints.”

“The message was that Jesus is with you in the good times and the bad, even in the times when you don’t feel like he is by your side—that those are the times when he’s closest.”

‘A great catechetical moment’

Whatever the theme is, “We just try to help them apply the message to their daily life,” says Shannon Farrell. She is a catechist for the SPREAD group at St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis and has been involved with the annual summer retreat for “eight or nine years.”

Each year, the catechetical message is shared in numerous ways: group discussion, crafts, games, interactive activities, prayer, praise and worship. The sacrament of reconciliation is always offered, and each retreat culminates with Mass.

Whatever the activity, the participants are all in.

“They’re always open to hear what we say,” Farrell says. “They listen well; they respond when we ask questions; they participate in discussions. They’re just enthusiastic participants.”

That fact applies to activities repeated each year, like their praise and worship sing-a-long with Benedictine Sister Cathy Anne Lapore, and to new activities as well.

“This year we added adoration,” says Bryans. “Because it was the first time, we weren’t sure how it would go. But they were so very prayerful. We said the rosary, and everyone knew all the prayers.”

Father Todd Riebe says he’s seen that same enthusiasm and reverence at the closing Mass he has celebrated at the last four retreats.

“The parishioners could learn about participation from them—I ask a question during the homily, and every hand goes up,” says Father Riebe, who retired last year and now lives in Terre Haute.

The participants who proclaim readings and serve at the Mass “help with such dignity,” he adds. “Every movement—they just do it so intently and carefully.

“And they have so much love and concern for each other. I open up the [prayers of] intercession, and it could go on for half hour if I let it, with their needs and concern for each other.”

Father Riebe calls the SPREAD retreat “a great catechetical moment. Even the Mass, just to open the Scripture in the most fundamental way, even more than at parishes, to help them understand it and celebrate it.

“Their sense of faith and belief is absolutely strengthened at the retreat.”

‘So much love and support’

The retreat offers something else important for the participants: community.

“This retreat is so important because that sense of belonging to the Church is strengthened,” says Father Riebe.

Farrell agrees.

“People with disabilities are important members of our society,” she says. “They deserve to have their faith enriched just like the rest of us. Coming together as a larger community helps them feel like they’re part of something bigger.”

Farrell notes that some participants say they’ve been coming since the retreat was first offered.

“One told me they feel like it’s a place where they can really be themselves and be accepted for who they are and not be judged,” she says.

The participants feel “so much love and support” at the retreat, adds Bryans.

“One parent said that their son, who is on the autism spectrum, looks forward to this retreat more than he does Christmas.”

Even Father Riebe, who is only present for a short time during the weekend, sees the bond of the participants.

“It’s a real community,” he says. “I witness nothing but joy from start to end. And they’re so welcoming of new participants. We can learn so much about community from them.”

And more than just community, says Farrell.

“Most of them really are very faith-filled to start with,” she says. “Just seeing their faith and being interested in learning more makes me feel like I want to learn more, too.”

Bryans agrees.

“We, as leaders and catechists and volunteers, learn from them,” she says. “In fact, I’d say we learn more from them than they learn from us. They are so open spiritually and so giving.”

‘A beautiful weekend in so many ways’

The catechetical focus is changing a bit, too, both for the retreat and the special needs faith formation groups.

“We have decided to change our name from SPRED—Special Religious Development—to SPREAD—Special Religious Education and Discipleship,” says Bryans.

“We aren’t exclusively using the SPRED materials [through the Archdiocese of Chicago] for the faith formation groups anymore,” she explains. “We’re now using a variety of programs and materials to best meet the needs of the different groups.”

The second reason for the change has to do with the length of time the groups have been in existence.

“Some of them have been around since 1997,” says Bryans. “They have grown in their faith formation, and we would like to move in the direction of discipleship, becoming more active members in their parish communities.”

She calls the retreat “a wonderful opportunity for awareness and education for those volunteers who have never worked with this community.”

No catechetical training or background in working with those with special needs is necessary to volunteer, Bryans notes.

“You just need to be willing to be open, willing to learn and willing to have a wonderful experience.

“It’s just a beautiful, beautiful weekend in so many ways.”
 

(For more information on the SPREAD retreat or catechesis for those with special needs, contact Jennifer Bryans at jbryans@archindy.org or 317-236-1448.) †

 

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