SPRED (SPecial REligious Development) is a ministry of evangelisation and belonging that has fostered the spiritual life of people living with intellectual disabilities in the Toowoomba Diocese for nearly 40 years.

The moment you step into the Diocesan SPRED Centre, you are welcomed into a space of stillness and calm. From the subdued lighting to the neutral-coloured decor, everything has been carefully chosen to create a space that invites everyone to enter into quiet reflection. Even the sounds of the busy street barely penetrate the space.

Lisbeth Raeside, Director of SPRED Glasgow, is currently in the middle of her 2-week visit with SPRED Toowoomba Diocesan staff and catechists. Over the weekend, in the calm setting of the Diocesan SPRED Centre, Lisbeth guided staff, catechist leaders and catechists in a masterclass in slowing down the pace as a way of enriching the catechetical process.

Inspired by a road sign that read “SLOW YOU DOWN”, spotted during a trip through Norfolk, UK, Lisbeth invited attendees to “slow you down” and reflect on what makes SPRED sessions spiritual experiences.

“We live fast-paced lives, always on the move,” noted Lisbeth, “SPRED is an invitation to slow down.” She explained that catechists should be guided by and adapt to the pace of their friends who live with an intellectual disability. “If we allow their pace to guide us, it affirms their natural way of being, and gives everyone space; it’s their gift to us. And it’s this space that can allow each of us to encounter God.” Lisbeth reminded everyone that the most important relationships to nurture in SPRED are the relationship between their Friend and God, and the one between the community and God.

In the coming week, Lisbeth will visit individual SPRED groups. “Lisbeth’s workshops with our catechists have been priceless learning opportunities,” explained Loretta Coman, SPRED Coordinator, “but these one-on-one sessions will really bring these lessons to life. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the SPRED method, and her gentleness is infectious. We are very grateful to have this time with her. Lisbeth reminded us that everything in SPRED is an invitation into a relationship with God, then gently invited us to explore the importance of our own spirituality which shapes our role as catechists. An important component of this role, while always remaining open to deepening our own awareness of God in our lives, is to walk with people, both with and without intellectual disability, encouraging and empowering them to become attuned to the experience of God in their lives.”

Lisbeth will also facilitate a reflection day at Sychar House of Prayer and Spirituality titled “Praying Beyond Words”. The day’s focus is on recognising that prayer without words is essential and relevant to us all. Participants will be encouraged to consider ways of opening to God that are not solely reliant on words, such as stilling, praying with the body, visio divina, and creative prayer.

Since November 2016, Lisbeth has been the Director of SPRED in the Archdiocese of Glasgow. She has been responsible for delivering and developing the SPRED catechetical programme for adults and children with learning disabilities in parishes throughout the Archdiocese, and at a purpose-built SPRED Centre. She has a passion for supporting the work of SPRED as a way for communities to welcome their parishioners who have a learning or developmental disability to enable them to be fully participating members of their church community.

In addition to her work in SPRED, Lisbeth is a trained spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition. She recently spent time in Loyola, Spain, as part of a team offering the full Spiritual Exercises.

Lisbeth previously visited the diocese in 2019 for training and formation and is delighted to be able to return. “In 2019 the focus was very much on what we do as catechists, and while due to Covid, there was some interruption to implementing all the valuable learning that took place during her first visit, the fruits of that visit have continued to flourish and develop over the past five years. This time around, we have been deepening our understanding of how we do things and the person we bring to our role as catechist.” said Loretta.