Regular classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 2 at Blessed Sacrament School and will continue weekly until May 7, 2014. All developmentally disabled individuals from age 7 through adult who live in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are welcome.

Leaders of Exceptional People PSR are encouraging adult and teen volunteers to help facilitate the program. Teens seeking service hours and musicians who are willing to provide accompaniment for group song are especially welcome. All volunteers are required to have completed the Protecting God's Children program through the Springfield diocese.

Each class contains time for prayer intentions, reviewing elements of the Catholic Catechism (such as the rosary, a review of the elements of the Mass and other sacraments) and reading and discussion of the Gospel lessons using the Pflaum Good News magazine. Classes always conclude on a musical note, with group songs of praise and a sung praying of the Our Father.

Special sessions for those who are candidates for first Eucharist will be held. Curriculum for these sessions is the Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit, prepared and published by Loyola Press. The kit (which the students can take home with them) includes family and student guides, a pictorial Mass guide and pictorial manipulatives to reinforce the basic principles of the holy Eucharist. Advance registration for the first holy Communion program is requested.

PSR for Exceptional People is financially supported by the Springfield Knights of Columbus Council 364 and Chatham Knights of Columbus Council 4179. Blessed Sacrament pastor Father Jeff Grant and Deacon David Erdmann provide spiritual support.

For more information on the program, please call Juleann Randles at (217) 787-9966 or leave a message at the Blessed Sacrament office at (217) 528-7521.