Grateful parents witness God’s grace

Many parents described the Mass and ceremony as a “dream come true” and said that they had prayerfully waited for the day when their children could receive the Eucharist with their parents and siblings.

“It truly is an awesome day,” said Father Roger Gagne, pastor of St. Peter Church. “We thought about this three years ago and now it is really going to happen.”

Father Gagne told those gathered for the special liturgy that while he and program staff sometimes had doubts as the two year-old religious education program unfolded, “with God, anything is possible.”

He emphasized that those who witnessed the spiritual journeys of the students are united as a community of faith and have a new and deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

“God makes everything new in this Easter season,” Father Gagne said.

Diane Vaughn, whose son Robert, age 22, received the sacrament, said the innovative program enriched her entire family.

“He now has that piece that was missing,” she said, adding that the congregation was profoundly affected after witnessing the 10 religious education students receive their first holy Communion.

“Everyone in church seemed like they were in awe,” Vaughn added.

Steve Colantuono, a behavioral psychologist and one of the many professionals who volunteer in the “Autism and the Sacraments” program, attributed the program’s success to the individualized instruction offered to students and its structure. Lessons were tailored to meet each participant’s learning style and students followed a routine every week with predictable outcomes.

“I thought all the teachers did a great job,” he said. “Father Gagne made a lot of this happen.”

Susan Sienkiewicz, the mother of Andrew, who received first holy Communion on May 2 at his home parish, St. Matthew Church in Cranston, also received the sacrament with his peers last Saturday.

“It’s a glorious day,” said the proud mother. “My heart is full.”

Sienkiewicz praised Margaret Andreozzi, coordinator of elementary faith formation at St. Peter Church and coordinator of the “Autism and the Sacraments” program, for her unfailing commitment to the students and their families, and for establishing a model in which students within the autism spectrum can learn about God and Jesus Christ and receive the sacraments.

“She saw a need, gathered parents and experts, and answered God’s call,” said Sienkiewicz. “For all of these families, it has been a blessing. It has turned into a support group and one that will continue.”

Catherine LaBranche, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Seekonk, Mass., was elated that her son Robert was able to receive the Eucharist with his peers.

“It’s very emotional and fulfilling to me,” she said. “Robert understands that he has to behave a certain way.”

LaBranche added that the program has strengthened Robert’s prayer life; he now leads the family in saying Grace at the dinner table and prays every night before going to sleep.

“It’s been a wonderful, positive experience,” she observed.

Andreozzi stated that the students will return to the program in the fall to begin studies leading to confirmation.

“That is the hope and dream of the families and that is our plan,” she emphasized, adding that the program has been particularly meaningful during the diocesan-wide Year of Evangelization because many families with autistic children who had stopped attending Mass have returned to the church and are becoming active once again in their parish communities.

For more information about the “Autism and the Sacraments” program, call Andreozzi at 467-4895.

Autism and the Sacraments’

The following participants in the “Autism and the Sacraments” program received first holy Communion on May 9

Gabriel Conroy

Joshua Langevin

P.J. Letizia Jr.

Daniel Paliotti

Andrew Sienkiewicz

Robert Vaughn

Josh Germain

Nicholas Gonnella

Matthew Gray

Robert LaBranche