Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield will once again offer PSR Class for Exceptional People (religion classes for the developmentally disabled) beginning Sept. 24. The classes are open to all developmentally disabled children and adults, ages 7 and up, from the greater Springfield area.

Classes are held in the Blessed Sacrament School (748 W. Laurel) library on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The year begins with a "welcome back" picnic on Sept. 24 at the Washington Park playground area. Classes will close with a party and dinner on May 6, 2009.

The weekly gathering consists of individual and group prayer intentions, elements of the Catholic Catechism (including praying the rosary, introduction to the Mass, reconciliation and other sacraments), Gospel lessons from the Good News messenger, activity and discussion. Each class concludes with guitar music and interactive singing, closing with the Our Father.

The class was founded in the 1970s and continues thanks to financial support provided by the Springfield area Knights of Columbus Councils 364 and 4179, the spiritual support provided by Blessed Sacrament pastor Father David Hoefler, and many volunteers who have helped with the program throughout the years.

New students are welcome - as are faithful past attendees - and all are invited to join class at any time. For more information and to RSVP for the Sept. 24 picnic, contact Mary Tuttle at (217) 585-0478 or leave a message at the Blessed Sacrament parish office at (217) 528-7521.