SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, DIOCESE OF OAKLAND

NewsletterSPRING-SUMMER 2021 • ISSUE 1, VOL. VII www.spredoakdiocese.org

ADVISORY BOARDPRESIDENT DICK COLLYER

VICE PRESIDENT DAVID ANDES

SECRETARY CARMEN ROMO

TREASURER MICHAEL STUDENDORFF

BOARD MEMBERSMICHELE BANKS MARY GARCIA SYLVIA SAN MIGUEL MATT TROIANO FR. PAUL VASSAR

SPRED STAFFCOORDINATOR FOR SPRED MICHELLE MARTINEZ-KILTY

COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS WORKER MARIA RAMOS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER STOLLER DESIGN GROUP

MODEL TRAINING CENTER 3705 DORISA AVE. OAKLAND, CA 94605

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 2121 HARRISON ST. OAKLAND, CA 94612

As a SPRED catechist we become a friend, a presence, a sponsor or a kind of god-parent for the developmentally disabled child, adolescent, or adult in SPRED. Because of this bonding, faith growth becomes possible and helps the individual to be open to God.

In my SPRED group, Manuel, is a non-verbal child with autism, who communicates through a PECS binder (Picture Exchange Communication System). This binder contains all the verbal words and schedule for Manuel’s SPRED session which he uses. During the summer before the pandemic, when SPRED was out for the season, he wanted to attend SPRED. Manuel’s mother would explain to him that SPRED

would begin when schools starts again, but he cried and cried and insisted going to the SPRED Model Center. Manuel’s mother drove him to the SPRED Center to show him the place was closed, and no one was there. Hearing and witnessing Manuel’s desire to be wanted and needed, to be a part of the group, makes me as a Catechist, feel important, an essential volunteer knowing that I am making a difference in this child’s life.

Your financial support of the SPRED ministry helps more Friends like Manuel learn and grow in faith. Our SPRED faith communities learn to believe, hope and care for one another. We look forward to new volunteer catechists that are willing to share their time, gifts and faith with our Friends.

*Name has been changed for privacy purposes.

Advisory Board CornerBy: Carmen Romo, SPRED Catechist & Advisory Board member

It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. A year of social distancing, wearing masks and watching a lot of TV or Netflix. On the other hand, I have also learned to be appreciative of many things in my life, from the people I interact with to enjoying a slower pace of life.

One person that I am grateful to have known in my life is Andrea, a SPRED parent and a parent of a child on the Autism spectrum. She found the SPRED ministry a few years ago, after her son

received the sacrament of First Holy Communion in regular faith formation classes. He disliked the classes and said he hated God. Andrea said she felt that she needed to find a ministry where her son could be a part of something, grow in his faith and learn to love the Lord. Through SPRED he has learned to love God, love himself, and love the faith community as well as receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Andrea recently went to Heaven, but before she did, she thanked me and the SPRED community for helping her son in wanting to participate in his faith and asked me to keep an eye on him.

Andrea’s request reminds me that despite this pandemic, we have all been trying to “keep an eye out for each other.” SPRED helps me and so many people look out for one another, through prayer and through good works and deeds. As a community of faith, we are reminded that we are grateful for what we have, and the people that we have in our lives. As always, I appreciate the SPRED community and supporters who have “kept an eye out” for our ministry by donating their time, talent and treasure.

Please continue to stay safe, healthy and wear your masks. Life will return to normal and we shall once again be near each other.

Blessings,

Michelle Martinez-Kilty SPRED Coordinator

SPRED Coordinator’s Report

INTERESTED IN OPENING A SPRED CENTER IN YOUR PARISH?

Give us a call at 510-635-7252 or email: info@spredoakdiocese.org for more information on how you can help create a new SPRED Center for your local friends.

Parish Center City Age

Ages 6-10 Years Old

St. Anthony Oakley 6-10

St. Anne Union City 6-10

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 6-10

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 6-10 B

Our Lady of Guadalupe Fremont 6-10 B

Ages 11-16 Years Old

All Saints Hayward 11-16

Holy Spirit Fremont 11-16

Immaculate Heart of Mary Brentwood 11-16 B

Queen of All Saints Concord 11-16

St. Anne Union City 11-16

St. Barnabus Alameda 11-16

St. Cornelius Richmond 11-16 B

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 11-16 S

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 11-16

St. Raymond Dublin 11-16

Ages 17-21 Years Old

St. Anne Union City 17-21

St. Joseph Pinole 17-21

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 17-21

Ages 22 and Older

St. Barnabus Alameda 22+

St. Clement Hayward 22+

Catholic Community of Pleasanton (St. Augustine)

Pleasanton 22+

St. Cornelius Richmond 22+ B

St. Isidore Danville 22+

St. Edward Newark 22+

St. Ignatius Antioch 22+

St. John the Baptist San Lorenzo 22+

St. Joseph Basilica Alameda 22+

St. Joseph-Mission San Jose Fremont 22+

St. Mary Magdalen Berkeley 22+

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 22+

St. Paschal Baylon Oakland 22+ SS = Spanish speaking group | B = Bilingual speaking group

SPRED PARISH CENTERSIN THE DIOCESE OF OAKLAND

Early SPRED Supporter Jerry Keating Passes AwayBy: Mary Huston, SPRED Catechist & Retired Asco. Director of SPRED

February 2021, Jerry Keating, an early benefactor of SPecial Religious EDucation went home to God. In the initial years of SPRED, Jerry played a major role in the establishment and work of the Advisory and Fundraising Board, he was the first President, always ready to share his many gifts and to act as spokesperson for

SPRED. At the annual Retreat for adults with special needs he insisted there be live music for the evening dance and provided the funds for that. The first observation/training booth was established with material he provided. Jerry was an early supporter of this ministry, for which we today can be most grateful. May he rest in the peace and light of Our Lord.

2021 Labor Day RetreatSPRED is planning to hold its Annual Labor Day Retreat this September 2021. This one-day retreat will take place at picturesque San Damiano Retreat Center located in the hills above Danville, Calif. Please mark your calendar and consider volunteering to be a Catechist for a Friend this year. As always, donations are greatly appreciated to help supplement this beautiful retreat, where Friends and Catechists can gather, pray and worship together.

Due to the Pandemic, SPRED was unable to hold in person sessions for the 2020-2021 SPRED year. In lieu of these sessions, the SPRED Ministry held SPRED Masses, which were generally outdoor, around the Diocese. SPRED would like to thank all the parishes, volunteers, priests, and musicians that graciously hosted SPRED Mass at their parishes this year: Divine Mercy, Oakland; St. Elizabeth, Oakland; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fremont; St. Raymond, Dublin; Most Holy Rosary, Antioch; and St. John the Baptist, San Lorenzo.

SPRED Mass around the DioceseBy: SPRED Staff

SAINT ELIZABETH

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

SAINT PASCHAL

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, FREMONT

SAINT RAYMOND

WANT TO HELP?

SPRED is always looking for generous donations to help us SPRED the word. SPRED is a nonprofit 501(c)(3).If you would like to make a donation today to help support the mission of SPRED please send back the enclosed envelope.

In October 2020, ten Friends from various SPRED Centers throughout the Diocese were confirmed at St. Paschal Church parking lot in Oakland. The Friends and their sponsors were seated outside in front of their cars while their families were able to safely watch the Mass from their vehicle. Bishop Barber, SJ, presided along with Fr. Mathew Murray and Fr. Paul Vassar on an outdoor altar that the parish constructed. It was a wonderful day and our Friends were joyous to receive the Holy Spirit and become confirmed in the Catholic Church.

SPRED Confirmation MassBy: SPRED Staff

CATECHIST SPOTLIGHT:

Mary Barranco

By: Sandy Pimperton, SPRED Catechist

More than 20 years ago Mary Barranco joined the SPRED program at St. Joachim’s and later, when the group moved to St. John the Baptist, took over Leader Catechist responsibilities, a position she holds to this day. Her SPRED friends describe her as very kind and very nice with one adding, “I just love her!” A care provider said Mary (and her husband, Louie) are the nicest people in the world, always going out of their way to do for others. One parent said what she truly values is that Mary is always reliable, always there.

At my very first Labor Day Retreat I was assigned to Mary’s group. Over the years I was lucky enough to be in her group many times and have no shame in saying I’ve watched and “stolen” some of her techniques. Mary has an incredible way of sharing the symbol by providing context, fun facts, and background information in a manner that is clear, direct and accessible to everyone in the group. While she waits patiently for a shy participant to share, she is modeling that we are all important and our contribution is worth the wait. At the dance, Mary seeks out those who need encouragement to join the fun and is kept busy dancing the night away! Here’s a fun fact — it’s Mary’s husband who has provided DJ duties for the retreat and SPRED the Word event for years and years!

In addition to the regular SPRED sessions, Mary makes every effort to make sure St. John’s SPRED group participates in Liturgies, dances, and the Labor Day Retreat, which sometimes means providing reminder calls or arranging transportation. Mary knows being included in the full experience of SPRED and church is a priority for both all SPRED Catechists and Friends!

FRIEND SPOTLIGHT:

Natalie Shomon

By: Mary Barranco, SPRED Leader Catechist

Natalie Shomon has been a member of the SPRED Community for about 24 years. She grew up in Alameda, and with her parents, attended St. Philip Neri Church. At age 8 she made her First Holy Communion and some years later she was confirmed by Bishop John Cummings. At age 14, she joined the SPRED Group at St. Philip Neri. About 2004, at age 22, she moved on to the SPRED Group at St. Joseph’s Basilica. Her mother, Roberta, was a catechist for a time and served on the SPRED Advisory Board. Roberta says about Natalie, “She has a beautiful spirituality and relationship with God and the Saints, and God answers her prayers.” Natalie joined our SPRED group at St. John the Baptist Parish in San Lorenzo near the end of 2008. She is caring and cooperative and has been a delight in our group. She has gradually become more verbal and willing to share.

Natalie enjoys art such as drawing, coloring and painting. Music is her other love, especially singing and doing gestures with our music during our SPRED Sessions. She also likes to add some signing to the music. Natalie enjoys attending retreats and fund raisers, especially when there is music for dancing. She hardly sits as long as there is an opportunity to dance! When our group has been asked to participate in a SPRED Mass, doing gestures for the Responsorial Psalm, we can always count on her to do her best. I have enjoyed having Natalie in our group tremendously.

Left photo: Natalie, age 14 | Right photo: Natalie, today

OUR MISSION: To integrate people with developmental disabilities into the faith and life of the Church.

Founder$1,000+Anonymous

St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Livermore

Knights of Columbus #7987 Dublin

John & Virginia Kilty

Dotty & Andy Leven

Rev. Paul Vassar

Method Vivre$500-$999Anonymous

Maureen Laubacher

Sandra Pimperton

Agape$250-$499Thomas & Joan King

John & Susan Mignano

Celebration Circle$100-$249Anthony & Roberta Shomon

Burt & June Rigley

David Freitas

Gary & Susanne Sjoberg

James & Kelly Cunniffe

John Kilty & Michelle Martinez-Kilty

Kristine Murray

Leticia Lucila

Margaret Ricker

Mary & Jerry Garcia

Mary & Louie Barranco

Mary & Mike Quinn

Mary Kovalitsky

Mary Sweetser Bjork

Michele & Jason Banks

Nancy & Michael Mikulich

Regelio & Josie Ramos

Rev. John Fernandes

Richard & Kathleen Soublet

Rose Gallagher & Agnes Bardini

Vicki Kho

Zoilta & Bruce Hedlund

FriendUp to $99Anonymous

Catherine Devine

Cris & Luz Espejo

Daniel & Denise Pagan

Eleanor Contreras Rush

Genoveva Bagaoisan

George & Marilyn Perry

Geraldine Sampson

Joanne & Rayford Leach

John & Maryann Connolly

Melinda & Anthony Jacob

Patricia Higgins

Rev. John Kasper, OSFS

Stephen & Grace Connell

Susie Howard

Terri Maggi Ward

In Memoriam of Therese ServentiKristine Murray

Terri Maggi Ward

In Memoriam of Robert & Betty GallagherRose Gallagher

In Memoriam of Jerome KeatingBill & Mary Huston

In Kind GiftsAdrian Mison Fulay

Anna Nevel

Arlene Bautista

Betty Gutierrez

Bishop Michael C. Barber, S.J.

Bert Morrison

Carmen Romo

Christina Tomasetti

Elisse Martinez

Enrico Benson

Hilda Martinez

Immaculate Heart of Mary SPRED Center, Brentwood

Jean Hui

Jose Regaldo

Josie Ramos

Juan Jose Suarez

Juan Sandoval

Juanita Tapia

Julia Cunniffe

Kelly Cunniffe

Leticia Espinoza Guardian

Lelia Tasano

Maria Garcia

Maria Ramos

Maria Bordon

Mary & Louie Barranco

Mary Huston

Model Center 11-16 Eng. SPRED Group, Oakland

Model Center 11-16 Sp. SPRED Group, Oakland

Model Center 17-21 SPRED Group, Oakland

Owen Hill

Rev. Antonio Galindo Carreon, OFM

Rev. Jimmy Macalinao

Rev. Joseph Le

Rev. Joy Kumarthusseril, MF

Rev. Mathew Murray

Rev. Paul Vassar

Reyna Lupian

Richard & Colleen Perez

Sandy Pimperton

St. Cornelius SPRED Center, Richmond

Sylvia San Miguel

Vicki Kho

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

For donations made from August 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021Black SPRED ShirtBlack cotton tagless shirt features SPRED flame on front pocket and SPRED logo in back

AVAILABLE SIZES: S, M, L, XL

Red SPRED ShirtRed cotton tagless shirt features “KEEP CALM AND SPRED ON” on front side of shirt printed in white.

AVAILABLE SIZES: S, M, L, XL

Red SPRED Water BottleWith white flame logo.

SPRED FUNDRAISING

Support SPRED and place your order today!To order, call 510-273-4979 or email spred@spredoakdiocese.org.

Goal of 2021: $65K

Raised as of April 30, 2021: $2,000

Thank You to Our Donors — We exceeded our Fundraising Goal of $65K for 2020

GOAL!$65K$50K$45K$40K$35K$30K$25K$20K$15K$10K$5K$0K

$5EACH!

SPRED is grateful for your monetary donations. To ensure that your donations are used for the SPRED ministry — please mail in checks payable to “SPRED-Morrie fund.”

Special Religious Education DepartmentDiocese of Oakland2121 Harrison Street, #100Oakland, CA 94612

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOakland, CA

Permit NO 278

Easter Prayer of St. Hippolytus

Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate

Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen

Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing

Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty

Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers,

Glory and power are his forever and ever

Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice.

AUGUST

SPRED Catechist Luncheon - Invitation Only Saturday, August 7, 2021 | 12pm–2pm St. Paschal Babylon Parish Hall, Oakland, CA

SEPTEMBER

Labor Day Retreat - Invitation only Saturday, September 4, 2021 San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, CA

Helper Catechist Training - English Saturday, September 18, 2021 | 9 am–4pm St. Paschal Babylon Parish Hall, Oakland, CA

Helper Catechist Training - Spanish Saturday, September 25, 2021 | 9 am–4pm St. Paschal Babylon Parish Hall, Oakland, CA

DECEMBER

SPRED Model Center Christmas Liturgy Tuesday, December 14, 2021 | 7pm St. Paschal Babylon, Oakland, CA

* Dates are subject to change due to the pandemic and inclement weather. Please confirm our dates on our website.

Please note all Observations take place at the SPRED Model & Training Center: 3705 Dorisa Ave., Oakland, CA 94605RSVP and Check out the SPRED Calendar online at www.spredoakdiocese.org or call 510-635-7252.Cover Photo: Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ placing chrism oil on a SPRED Friend during the sacrament of Confirmation

Upcoming SPRED Events