BY BRIAN J. LOWNEY, Assistant Editor
WARWICK — A Mass inaugurating the start of a new faith formation program, “Autism and the Sacraments,” was celebrated September 13 at St. Peter Church.
Photos: Brian Lowney
SHARING GOD'S LOVE: Robert Vaughn, a student in St. Peter’s new “Autism and the Sacraments” program shares the Sign of Peace with his mother Diane Vaughn at the opening Mass. (Below) A sentence board uses pictures and symbols to portray the elements of Catholic worship.
The liturgy was concelebrated by Father Roger Gagne, pastor of the 75 year-old parish and Father Nicholas Iacovacci, pastor emeritus, and was attended by many parishioners and more than 25 families whose children are enrolled in the religious education program.
The 15 minute-long Mass was conducted without music. The readings were selected to support and encourage parents and families and to emphasize that the new faith formation program is based on the abundant love that Jesus has for every human being.
According to Margaret Andreozzi, parish Director of Faith Formation, the new approach to religious education for children with autism is peaceful, welcoming and innovative — adapting to each child or young adult’s individual learning style in a compassionate, loving and inclusive environment. The program, based on a model created in the Archdiocese of Boston, is tailored to children on the autism spectrum, those with developmental delays and students who are non-verbal.
“Today is an exciting day for all of us,” Father Gagne began, recalling Jesus’ words of prophetic call: ‘Do not hinder. Let the children come.’
“Everyone in this room is special,” the priest continued. “Together on the rich soil that is here, we will grow.”
Father Gagne thanked the families for “sharing your children with us, and for trusting us and helping us experience a dimension of God’s love through your children.”
Susan Sienkiewicz, a member of St. Matthew Parish, Cranston, said that she has been providing religious instruction at home for her son Andrew, age 13, who will be attending the new religious education program.
“I’ve been looking for a program,” she said. “This is perfect.”
Andrew, who attends middle school level classes at Pathways, a program for students with autism, has become more comfortable attending Mass as he has grown older and is accustomed to the order of the Mass.
“The Catholic Mass is perfect for children with autism because of its rituals and routines, “ said Sienkiewicz. “It’s very predictable.” She added that Andrew likes the movement of the priest and congregation, and has learned his prayers.
“I want so badly for my son to receive Jesus,” Sienkiewicz said. “I really want him to participate, to partake.”
Christine Madden, a parishioner of St. Kevin Church, Warwick, said that she is excited about the new program that her son, Jack, age 9, will be attending to prepare to receive his First Communion.
Jack, who attends a special education program for children with autism at the Oakland Beach School in Warwick, is non-verbal and uses a sentence board to communicate. Activities and words, such as church, are represented by pictures or symbols, which the board user puts together to form a thought or sentence.
“It’s wonderful to have a program that concentrates on special needs children,” said Madden.
Andreozzi, who noted that 17 specially-trained individuals who work with children on the autism spectrum have volunteered to assist in the new faith formation program. The group includes several teachers, a lawyer-psychologist and an occupational therapist.
Roberta Zimmerly, who works as a consultant for the Autism Project of Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, has helped to organize the new faith formation program.
“You could feel the presence of God in the room,” said Andreozzi, adding that the program “meets the needs of people in the diocese.”
“Father, you make me proud to be a Catholic,” one parishioner told Father Gagne, expressing the sentiments of many who attended the special celebration.
For more information about the “Autism and the Sacraments” program, call Andreozzi at 461-5691.
