Continuing a tradition that has lasted for decades, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield is once again offering its PSR for Exceptional People, beginning with a picnic get-together in mid-September that will kick-off the 2014-2015 academic year.
PSR for Exceptional People is a Catholic study gathering for developmentally disabled children and adults. Although the program takes place at Blessed Sacrament School, which is located at the corner of Glenwood and Laurel in Springfield, all developmentally disabled individuals who are at least 7 years old or older and who live in the Springfield diocese are welcome.
“This program has been sharing the word of God with people with mental disabilities for over 30 years,” said Jane Mosey-Nicoletta, who is leading the program this year. “We would like to get the word out to as many people as possible.”
The welcoming picnic will be held at the playground pavilion in Washington Park on Wednesday, Sept. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The first meeting will be a celebration of Mass held at Blessed Sacrament Church (at the corner of Walnut and Laurel) on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Regular classes start at Blessed Sacrament School beginning Oct. 1 and will run through early May. Classes meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
Each class contains time for prayer, including special intentions. “Each student has the opportunity to share with the group the people and issues they wish to pray for during the coming week,” said Mosey-Nicoletta. The group then reviews elements of the Catholic Catechism (such as the rosary, the elements of the Mass and other sacraments) and then reads and discusses the Gospel lessons for the upcoming weekend Mass. Each class is concluded with group songs of praise and a sung praying of the Our Father.
Members of PSR for Exceptional People who wish to receive first Eucharist attend special sessions. “Our curriculum for these sessions is the Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit,” said Mosey-Nicoletta. Those kits are prepared and published by Loyola Press and include family and student guides, a pictorial Mass guide, and pictorial manipulatives that reinforce the basic principal of the holy Eucharist. Each participant receives a kit to take home, however advance registration is requested for the first holy Communion program.
“We welcome and encourage volunteers to help with the weekly classes,” said Mosey-Nicoletta. Teens who seeking service hours and musicians who are willing to provide accompaniment for group song are especially welcome, she said. All volunteers are required to have completed the Protecting God’s Children program through the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
PSR for Exceptional People is financially supported by the Springfield Knights of Columbus Council 364 and by 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, call Jane Mosey-Nicoletta at (217) 971-4179 or leave a message at the Blessed Sacrament Parish office at (217) 528-7521.