WEST WARWICK—For Noah Harris and his classmates at St. Joseph School, the first day of Catholic Schools Week is one that will remain special for them for a very long time.
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When his fourth grade class began in November to learn about the importance of being baptized into the faith and receiving the Eucharist regularly through their study of the sacraments, Noah’s devotion to the subject matter truly impressed his teacher, Anna Dufresne.
“We had just finished two units in class on the Eucharist and baptism. That’s when he started talking about it,” Dufresne said Monday, of her young pupil’s decision to fully immerse himself into the Catholic Faith by becoming baptized at the age of 10.
Raised in a household in which his father is a Catholic and his mother and sister are Baptists, Harris didn’t follow the traditional path that his classmates at St. Joseph had. But although he wasn’t baptized into the faith following his birth, he has enjoyed being a student at a Catholic school, as well as singing in the St. Joseph Children’s Choir for the last couple of years. By the time his religion class completed its review of the sacraments just before Christmas, Harris had decided that the time had come for him to officially enter fully into the Catholic Faith.
A date for his baptism was selected after discussions between the Harris family and Father Michael A. Colello, pastor of St. Joseph Parish. They decided that the Mass scheduled to begin the annual celebration of national Catholic Schools Week would be the best time for Noah to be initiated into the church.
“He chose baptism because he sees in you and me and all of us people of joy,” Father Colello told the school community Monday as they gathered to welcome their classmate into the church. “He sees the face of the church in other people and he said, ‘I want to be like them too.’”
“There couldn’t be a better way to observe Catholic Schools Week,” the pastor added.
After Father Colello delivered his homily, he welcomed Noah to the open baptismal font, which was positioned below the steps in front of the altar to provide the student body, along with Noah’s family, a clear view of the transformative moment about to take place.
By Noah’s side was Maria Carnevale, his second grade teacher, whom he had chosen to serve as his baptismal sponsor.
“She was my favorite teacher,” Noah said fondly of Carnevale and his decision to give her such an important role in helping him to begin his faith journey.
Before Noah leaned over the font to be baptized by Father Colello, facing his fellow students with a peaceful look on his face as the water was poured over the back and sides of his head, Carnevale, as his sponsor, made the sign of the cross on his forehead.
“I was thrilled and excited for him,” said Carnevale, who has taught at St. Joseph School for 28 years.
She said she hoped that some of the religious discussions they had when Noah was her student had helped to inspire his decision.
Dufresne, his current teacher, was elated for her student, giving Noah a high-five as he made his way back to his pew.
“I was thrilled inside,” said Dufresne, beaming with pride for her fourth-grader.
But the joy wasn’t yet complete for Noah on this special day. A second sacrament was in store for him.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Father Colello called Noah up to the front of the altar once again, this time, to offer him his first Communion.
The pastor said that since Noah had just been baptized, any sins he may have committed were absolved, so he didn’t need to make a first confession. From this point on, however, any sins committed would need to be absolved by receiving the sacrament of penance.
At intervals during the remainder of the Mass, Noah clasped between his right thumb and forefinger a small silver cross that hung around his neck. The cross was a baptism gift from Carnevale.
“It feels good,” Noah said of his initiation into the church. “Since first grade I’ve been thinking about this.”
“I feel holier than before, and I feel clean,” he said.
During the course of the Mass, his parents, David and Lynelle Harris, looked on admiringly as their son became a fully participating member of the Catholic Church.
“He made a good decision,” Harris said of her son. “At the end of last year, he started talking about wanting to be baptized.”
David Harris, who grew up attending St. Luke Church in Barrington, said that St. Joseph School has made a very positive impact on his son.
“He loves this school, it fits him well. He likes the kids, he likes the teachers,” he said.
“Once Noah wants to do something, he goes out and does it. I’m very glad that he did this.”
Claudette Archambault, the religious education coordinator for the parish, worked closely with Noah and his family after he reached his decision to enter the faith.
“He was very well prepared. He’s a bright little boy,” Archambault said. “He’s been thinking about this for a long time.”
Archambault wasn’t able to be nearby Noah as he was baptized and received his first Communion, but as the leader of the choir during the Mass, she looked on proudly from the choir loft, where Noah often sings.
“It was a beautiful and fitting way to begin Catholic Schools Week,” she said.
Following the Mass, Noah’s classmates rallied around, hugging and congratulating him.
“We’re very excited for him,” said Aiden Tammelleo.
“I’m so happy for him because he’s having his baptism and first Communion at the same time,” said Blake Johnson.
Emma Wenzl applauded Noah’s decision to join the church.
“He wants to be a Christian and be with God,” she said.
Jayden Cyr, who described himself as Noah’s best friend, said he was happy to be a part of such a special day for him.
“I was so very proud of him, he received two sacraments at once,” Cyr said.
