Newsletterwww.spredoakdiocese.orgAutumn / Winter 2016 - Issue 2 Vol. II

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, DIOCESE OF OAKLAND

Hi, my name is Michael Studendorff and I am a member of the SPRED Advisory Board. My son, Chris has been a Friend in this wonderful ministry for almost 20 years. My wife, Debbie was a SPRED catechist for 5 years. SRPED has provided Chris the opportunity to worship with his family and allowed our family to

worship with the Catholic Community.

I’d like to take a moment to mention that SPRED depends on everyone’s support. This year SPRED has already raised 65% of our yearly goal of $68,000. You can help SPRED reach it’s goal by attending fundraising events benefiting SPRED (e.g. STW Dinner Dance, Paint Nite™), donating through envelopes you receive in this newsletter and by supporting the Labor Day Retreat to help our Friends and Catechists encounter Christ in their lives.

We also like to remind everyone that you can also assist SPRED by donating every year to support the SPRED centers. This includes recruiting participants and volunteer catechists, providing on-going training and enrichment of SPRED staff and catechists, providing on-going faith formation and sacraments with the help of manuscripts and other materials and to provide information about the SPRED Ministry to the Catholic Community in the Diocese of Oakland.

One last thought, I’d like to share with you my family’s experience with the SPRED Ministry.It’s NOT about the Disability our Friends have . . . It’s about THIS Ability our Friends have! THIS ability to unconditionally believe God LOVES them.THIS ability to open their hearts to the Word of God.THIS ability to touch the hearts of all who help them in their Faith Formation.THIS ability to show us all, we truly get more then we give!

Vivet, Jesus and Peace to All!

Advisory Board Cornerby: Michael Studendorff

SPRED COORDINATOR’S REPORT

PrayerSPRED’s work of ministering, animating, and evangelizing can only be fulfilled by the power of prayer. This past year

has been very busy and has brought many changes for SPRED. Sometimes in our busy lives we need to remember to slow down and offer God a simple prayer.

Pope Francis states,

“[Prayer] helps to preserve our faith in God, and to trust in Him even when we do not comprehend His will. In this, Jesus himself - who prayed so much! – is the example.”

I realize that when I slow down and pray, I remember I have been called to do His will, and not mine. In this upcoming year, we should all remember to slow down to pray.

I want to thank you in advance for your continued prayers, service, and financial support. I also want to invite you to consider becoming a SPRED catechist. SPRED is always looking for new catechists to participate in our ministry and help form communities of faith.

Blessings always,

Michelle Martinez-Kilty Coordinator for SPRED

ADVISORY BOARD PRESIDENT DAVID ANDES

VICE PRESIDENT JOHN KILTY

SECRETARYVALERIE FREGULIA

TREASURERCARMEN ROMO

BOARD MEMBERSMARY GARCIAFR. MICHAEL NORKETTMICHAEL STUDENDORFFMATT TROIANOFR. PAUL VASSAR

EX OFFICIO MEMBERDR. MARGARATE TUREKDIRECTOR OF THE DEPT. OF FAITH FORMATION & EVANGELIZATION

SPRED STAFF COORDINATOR FOR SPRED MICHELLE MARTINEZ-KILTY

OFFICE MANAGER CHRISTINA GARCIA

COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS WORKER MARIA RAMOS KATIE TERAN

GRAPHIC DESIGNER VALENTIN CARRILLO

MODEL TRAINING CENTER 3705 DORISA AVE. OAKLAND, CA 94605

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE2121 HARRISON ST. OAKLAND, CA 94612

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.

At the 39th Annual Labor Day Retreat we reflected on how we both share and receive in God’s love and mercy. The literal gift of a heart bearing our name became the symbol of the love and goodness we receive from God. How we put this into practice by helping one another was explored in our second session where we talked about the ways in which we supported one another throughout the weekend - there were lots and lots examples! The weekend was full of laughter, prayer and deepening of community. Truly a perfect example of God’s love and mercy.

PHOTOS FROM OUR 39TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY RETREATWritten by: Sandy Pimperton, SPRED Catechist

Written By Christina Garcia

On November 3, 2016 The Englanders Sports Pub & Restaurant in San Leandro, CA hosted SPRED for its first ever Paint Nite event. The road to success was not easy. We had to swerve pot holes, jump bumps, and make sure that we didn’t get stuck with a flat tire to ruin our event. Through hard work and dedication we were able to get our location, the best hostess ever (and I am not just saying it because she hosted our event), but ultimately our Friends and Families who came to support SPRED’s mission.

We painted an awesome ship, which tested a lot of our patience. We had a mini-dance party trying to dry the paint.

We had door prizes and raffle prizes. After a fun-filled event all of the contributions will be used to continue running out ministry in integrating people with developmental disabilities into the faith and life of the church.

Paint PartyFundraiser

On October 30, 2016 St. John Vianney Parish in Walnut Creek was gracious enough to open its doors to the SPRED Community for the Annual SPRED Diocesan Mass. Fr. William Rosario began Mass by welcoming all of the SPRED families and Friends. He stated, “All are welcome, we are all Children of God”. From there the procession began. Catechists led the congregation in song and prayerful gesture during the responsorial. The gifts were presented with reverence and care.

All were invited to light refreshments following the mass where St. John Vianney parishioners and Fr. Rosario shared in the friendship, love and joy that abounds in Special Religious Education.

Photos from ourANNUAL DIOCESAN MASS

MARIA RAMOSCOMMUNITY RELIGIOUS WORKER

Maria began as a SPRED Catechist at St. Bernard in 1998. In 2011, she accepted the position of Community

Religious Worker II under the directorship of Sr. Aurora Perez, SHF.

Her prime focus then, as now is working with the Spanish-speaking SPRED community. Maria continues to recruit, evangelize and mentor new and current SPRED Center participants within the Latino community.

OUR MISSION TO INTEGRATE PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INTO THE FAITH AND LIFE OF THE CHURCH.

MEET OUR SPRED STAFF

SPRED CENTER SPOTLIGHT: TRI VALLEY SPRED

KATIE TERANCOMMUNITY RELIGIOUS WORKER

Katie became interested in volunteering as a SPRED catechist in the summer of 2015. She was

so excited to learn about SPRED that she decided to attend all the SPRED trainings she could!

In the fall of 2016, she applied for the Community Religious Worker I position. Katie is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish AND American Sign Language.

CATECHIST SPOTLIGHTWritten by Collen Perez, SPRED Catechist

St. Joseph’s Mission San Jose parish in Fremont has been Richard’s parish for 35 years. He is a lifelong Catholic who is active in the Edge ministry working with junior high school age kids and has been a SPRED catechist since 1993. Richard would tell you that he has received much more from SPRED than he has given.

A few years ago, the SPRED ministry in this parish was discontinued, due to health issues of many of the devoted SPRED catechists who could no longer participate. Fortunately, Richard worked diligently for two years to restart the SPRED Center with the help of Michelle Martinez-Kilty and Sr. Cecilia Phan, LHC. The SPRED ministry is continuing into its second year with all new catechists and Richard.

Written by: Claudis Willis, SPRED Catechist

The TriValley SPRED Center is full of joy and faith! We gather Friends from St. Charles

Borromeo & St. Michaels in Livermore, the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, St. Raymond’s

in Dublin and St. Joan of Arc in San Ramon. We are all very happy to be back together after our long

summer break. We take great pleasure in sharing God’s Word and singing together in our Celebration Room. Last

May we closed our year together with the celebration of Confirmation for Inigo Romero-Salas. Fr. Michael Pham was

the Presider and he has become a very dear friend of our SPRED community.

SPRED T-SHIRTS STILL AVAILABLE ONLY $15

Support SPRED and place your order today call 510-635-7252.

Black SPRED ShirtBlack cotton tagless shirt features SPRED flame on front pocket and SPRED logo in back

Available in Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL

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

Available in Small, Medium, Large, XL

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.

FOUNDERS 1,000+AnonymousRose RomeroSKS Die Casting & Machining Inc.

METHOD VIVRE $500 to $999Sisters of the Holy FamilySt. Charles Borromeo, Livermore

AGAPE$250 to $499Barbara & Jim DonovanCatholic Daughters of America #2057Reyna Lupian & Michael LupianSt. Joseph Basilica, AlamedaSylvia San MiguelSandy Pimperton

CELEBRATION$100 to $249AnonymousAnonymous Anonymous Arlene BautistaBetty GutierrezBrian & Vicki McCoy Carmen RomoCarolina & Gina DamerrallErnestine MoirGary & Susanne SjobergGloria LeighHilda MartinezJanet FortunaJoanne & Rayford LeachJohn & Virgina KiltyJohn Kilty & Michelle Martinez-KiltyJoseph & Elizabeth AtencioKellie Broughton & Jennifer O’NeillLuis & Jean LiwangLynn AnglinMargaret SouzaMark & Marguerite ChatignyMary BjorkMary KovalitskyMiro & Maria GarciaMitzi ReaganBishop John S. Cummins, - Bishop EmeritusRichard & Kathleen KellerSt. Ignatius, AntiochSusan & Roy FlemingSusanne & Gary SjobergTheresa EllersbushLeticia Lucila

FRIENDUp to $99Anonymous Anonymous Agapito & Saida ChavezAlberto & Maria DominguezAlejandro & Marisol SuarezAlonso Garcia & Susana TenorioBelem & Sergio RetaBrian & Pauline O’ReillyCarmen AndesCatherine OlivasCrisanto & Darlene PagtakhanDarlante & Liwayway SimbulanEleanor Contreras RushEnvangeline Bernardino & Silvia CookErnestine MoirEsteban, Christina,Laura & Stephanie LopezEugene GordilloGary & Carol BonfiglioGeorge & Marilynn PerryHelen Budde & Eleanor JohnsIrene AndersenIsidro & Rebeca PenaJacquelyn PetitJeffery & Sabina BurnsJerry & Mary Loura GarciaKellie Broughton SmithMaria RamosMaria Uhl & John Laspina Marie BattagliaMark MagatMartha SantiagoMary GrubbsMary McEnroeMathew & Meghan OliveriNorma & John GrayPeter & Kathleen HayesRamona ChaconRichard & Maureen DavisRita Ewing Ronald & Ileana KrzyzanowskiSally MartinezSalvador & Maria RoblesSr. Jacqueline Graham, PBVMThe Juco FamilyTheresa EllersbushVictorio & Patricia VizcayWilliam Joyce Judy O’Callaghan

IN-KIND GIFTSArlene BautistaBetty SevikBrother Michael Minton, OFMCarmen RomoChristina GarciaCurtis & Denise Young

Debbie MellinDiana & Jason CerinEdna RobollosoEileen SpainErica GarciaFr. Alexander CastilloFr. Stephan KapplerFr. Michael Castori, SJFr. William RosarioIris GutiérrezJessie GonzalezJohn KiltyJonel SangalangJuanita TapiaKatie TeranLaurie McBrideLisa BrionesLiz RogersMaria RamosMario CuestasMary GarciaMary HustonMercedes MondragonMichael StudendorffMiro GarciaNicole “Pinky” St. DenisePeter PetitRichard CollyerSan Damiano Retreat CenterSandy PimpertonSheila FloresSr. Aurora Perez, SHFSt. Cornelius SPRED CenterSt. Jarlath ParishSt. John Vianney ParishSylvia OlivaresTeresa CortezTherese EllerbushTherese GormanValentin CarrilloValerie Fregulia

In Memory of Dolores WaltersCarmen RomoGregory & Marilyn SmithJames & Rae Anne KenyonJohn & Patricia De RidderJohn HoulihanKathleen Stevens- Class of ‘51 - Holy Names CollegeLeticia LucilaMichelle Martinez-KiltyMiro & Maria GarciaPatricia O’Neill Buchanan Robert & Leila TessanoSandy PimpertonSr. Joanne Logan, SHF & Judy O’CallaghanStephen & Grace O’Connell

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR DONORSFOR DONATIONS MADE FROM 5/1/2016 - 10/31/2016

In Honor of Sr. Aurora, SHF 50th JubileeSandy PimpertonSr. Joanne Logan & Judy O’Callaghan

In Loving Memory of LaVera BrownLeila & Bob TassanoRichard Brown

In Loving Memory of Nesta WellingtonLeticia Lucila

In Honor of Joe SampsonGeraldine Sampson

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOakland, CA

Permit NO 278

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

UPCOMING SPRED EVENTSDECEMBER 2016Observation - EnglishTuesday, December 6, 2016, 6:15 pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Observation - SpanishWednesday, December 7, 2016, 6:15 pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Christmas Liturgy Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 7:00 pm St. Paschal Baylon, Oakland, CA

JANUARY 2017Intro. Sp. Ed. (Part A) (2-1) trainingSaturday, January 21, 2017, 9:00 am-4:00 pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Observation - EnglishTuesday, January 24, 2017, 6:15 pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Observation - SpanishWednesday, January 25, 2017, 6:15 pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Intro. Sp. Ed. (Part B) (2-1) trainingSaturday, January 28, 2017, 9:00 am-4:00pmSPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

FEBRUARY 2017Core Team Training (3-1)Saturday, February 11, 2017, 9:00 am-4:00 pm SPRED Model Center, Oakland, CA

Catechist Reflection Weekend RetreatFriday- Sunday, February 24-26, 2017San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, CA

MARCH 2017Sr. Aurora 50th Jubilee Liturgy Sunday, March 5, 2017, 12:00 pm St. Paschal Baylon, Oakland, CA

SPRED Confirmation MassWednesday, March 15, 7:00 pm St. Paschal Baylon, Oakland, CA

APRIL 2017SPRED the Word Dinner Dance Liturgy and Fundraiser Saturday, April 29, 4:00 pmSt. Isidore, Danville, CA

Please note all Observations take place at the SPRED Model & Training Center3705 Dorisa Ave., Oakland, CA 94605

RSVP and Check out the SPRED Calendar online at www.spredoakdiocese.org or call 510-635-7252.Cover Photo: SPRED Friends Carlota Rodriguez, Teresita Mendoza and Freddy Boza with SPRED Catechist Betty Gutierrez.

Merton Prayer “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.I do not see the road ahead of me.I cannot know for certain where it will end.Nor do I really know myself, and the fact thatI think I am following Your will does not mean that I amactually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please Youdoes in fact please you.And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road,though I may know nothing about it.Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lostand in the shadow of death.I will not fear, for You are ever with me,and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude