Spred Down and Connor

Brief History

In the early 1970’s, in Belfast, Sr Bernadette O'Sullivan OP was asked to train some boys, who had learning difficulties, for First Holy Communion. She realised that the normal teaching method was not sutable. She heard about a Spred group in Derry. The threee people who had started Spred in Chicago (see Spred Worldwide and www.spred.org) were invited by the Derry Diocese to come over to the Capuchin Friary, Ard, Co Donegal in July 1982 and a number of people were trained. Shortly after that in 1982 Sr. Criona Considine OP joined Spred and she went over to Chicago for a year’s training. On her return she became the Diocesan Co-ordinator. All during the troubles, Sr Criona set up over forty groups in Belfast, North Antrim and parts of Co Down. Theresa Mills was also very instrumental in the training. Later Sr. Criona trained Sr Kate McGlynn OP and Patricia Lennon as diocesan Co-ordinators. She also trained Sr. Catherine Tansey DC and Sr Sheila Brown DC as Co-ordinators in ther own Institute.

Spred Centre

Initially Spred was set up in the Cloona Centre for a number of years. See New Cloona Centre.

Now the Spred Centre is situated in St. Michael's Parish.

Groups

• Belfast Area
• North Antrim
• County Down

Lena Meehan is the current Diocesan Co-Ordinator

They now also have their own website - www.spreddc.co.uk.
Full information regarding all the groups can be found at that website.