SPRED is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is a religious education program for children with disabilities.
MISSION
SPRED forms small communities of faith in parishes to welcome persons with developmental disabilities in order to foster participation in parish assemblies of worship.
SPRED began in 1960 when Fr. James McCarthy from the Archdiocese of Chicago began to work with parents, special educators and catechist volunteers. In 1967 SPRED was established as an agency of the Archdiocese. It is now part of the Department of Evangelization, Catechesis and Worship.