Indianapolis program reaches out to people with disabilities

Published: 2004-05-19

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- We are all members of the church and when we follow Jesus we can do anything, regardless of who we are. That was the message Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel delivered at an annual Mass for the Indianapolis Archdiocese's special religious education program, known as SPRED. The people who attended the April 25 liturgy at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis might not have heard such a message a decade ago, Msgr. Schaedel said. Catholics who are developmentally challenged or mentally handicapped and other Catholics who have special struggles have not always been fully included in the life of the church. The special religious education program provides specialized catechesis to Catholics with disabilities at parishes around the archdiocese by making use of small-group programming. Individual parishioners are trained and then partnered with a parishioner with disabilities and, along with a group of similar partners, they grow in friendship and foster catechesis.

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