A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SPRED GROUP

There are different phases to the SPRED process.  Each has a significance that mirrors the various rituals of sacrament and liturgies.  The following describes the unfolding of a total community session which includes catechist and Friends:

WELCOMING

Catechists arrive early to prepare the meeting space and ready themselves to greet their Friends. Each Friend is called into the room and greeted with a simple handshake by each catechist and friend in the community.

PREPARATION

Each person is invited to select a work that will draw their attention, spark creativity and draw them into harmony with others in the environment.  There is a generous offering of art materials, sensorial and tactile works, as well as activities of daily life.  Concentrated creative work draws us toward an inner peace and brings us to anticipation of something more.

SILENT ACTIVITY (Transition of Catechesis)

At the end of preparation time, each person is invited to clean up and join together in a circle.  This ritual activity is the transition that allows each one to respond to a personal invitation to catechesis.  One by one the members move into the Celebration Circle.

CATECHESIS

In the Celebration Circle, an object, picture, music or sound is presented to the community.  A conversation begins drawing a personal, lived experience to the symbol presented.  Each person is allowed the time to share their stories, respecting various ways of communication and the sensitivities of our friends. A series of evocations follow that bring the entire community into an awareness of Jesus present in us and with us.  A message is delivered to each person highlighting the intentionality of the session, e.g. "Jesus says to you today, Live in my Love." The community celebrates with song and simple gesture.  As a piece of reflection music plays, we bask in the joy of our experience.

AGAPE

The celebration is extended through a ritual sharing of food and fellowship.  The community collaborates to prepare a beautiful table and present a simple offering of food and drink.  Gathered together around the table, we share the joy of life through conversation and song.  A successful agape prepares us to enter the celebration of Eucharist with a deeper appreciation.

CLOSURE

Following the joint clearing of the table, the group gathers for a closing song and farewells.

The corresponding session for the community of catechists develops the same mystery of faith.  It is a parallel method with the following differences:

• There is no preparation process.

SHARED FEEDBACK

Feedback related to the previous total community and corresponding catechist session opens the session.  Discussion includes observations on the response of the friends, how the goal of the session was met, what might work better, etc.

REFLECTION ACTIVITY

The Leader presents the symbol (a literary selection).  A question is posed inviting reflection on a personal life experience.  Each catechist seeks out a comfortable space and takes ample time for deep, personal reflection.  When ready, the catechists  gather in the Celebration Circle to share their story as a gift and enter into catechesis.

CATECHESIS

The catechesis unfolds with the same series of evocations that are used for the total community and celebrates with the same song and gesture.  It is important then for the group to spend time choosing and discussing the symbol for the coming session in view of the experiences of their Friends.

AGAPE

Agape is celebrated with the same respect and reverence as it is with the Friends.*

*Taken from Queen of Angels SPRED website, 2014 - queenofangelsspred.org