First group of autistic students receive confirmation

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 5/26/15

It was an emotional experience at Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Saturday afternoon as nine students from the Autism and Sacrament Faith Formation Program received their confirmation from …

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First group of autistic students receive confirmation

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It was an emotional experience at Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Saturday afternoon as nine students from the Autism and Sacrament Faith Formation Program received their confirmation from Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.

The program, which started in 2008, has students from all over Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts who meet every other week for 45 minutes.

Margaret Andreozzi, founder and director of the program, began the program after meeting Josh Langevin. His family, devoted to the church, went to mass every week, but the autistic child remained home with his father. Andreozzi then began attending workshops out of Bryant University on teaching autistic children before starting her own program.

“I saw so many parents who wanted faith for their children,” she said, “and I knew there had to be something we could do. Now that dream has become a reality.”

To date, the program has involved 50 students, 35 children have received the Sacrament of Eucharist and now 17 have received confirmation, nine of them on Saturday.

Andreozzi explained that before going through the program many families kept their autistic children home in fear they would not be accepted during mass or would be disruptive. However, now having finished the program, Andreozzi, pointed out that most students attend mass with their families regularly.

“We are not only adding to their lives, but the lives of their families. Now they can go to mass as a family and celebrate their faith together,” Andreozzi said.

Susan Conroy, whose adopted son Gabriel Conroy received Confirmation on Saturday, said she feels “fulfilled” to see her son receive confirmation and she couldn’t be more proud.

“When I realized he wouldn’t be like his brother I was afraid he would always be excluded,” Conroy said, “but he has learned and absorbed more in this class than I would ever have imagined.”

Jacqueline Rastella, one of the program volunteers, is also the clinical director for Programs for the Groden Center Network for individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities.

She said the church environment is almost “designed” for autistic children.

Because it is structured, repetitive and follows a pattern, all “strengths” for children with autism, these children can, with help, flourish in this type of setting.

She said when you are teaching religion there are a lot of “gray areas” involved, but “they are connecting to the messages. I truly feel there is something bigger happening in this program.”

Rastella said normally it takes a lot of repetition day in and out for autistic children to learn, but the students in the program are grasping these abstract concepts only meeting twice a month for 45 minutes.

“It has been an emotional journey of learning and not only for the students,” Rastella said.

Mary Catanese, also a volunteer, said whenever they hold ceremonies for the sacrament program she has an emotional response, especially when she can see the obvious excitement from the students as they approach the bishop.

Because many of the families never expected to see their children take confirmation, Catanese said they also have a very emotional reaction.

“You never know how an autistic child will respond to a new situation, but week in and week out this group is calm, quiet and relaxed; there is no doubt the Holy Spirit is with them,” Catanese said. “They really learned about God, have a real understanding.”

Both Reverend Roger Gagné and Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, who acted as confirming bishop for the ceremony, have been highly supportive of the program.

Andreozzi said everyone deserves a relationship with God and autistic children are no different and now thanks to the program they aren’t.

“When we see them in church and they are silent the whole time you realize you are a part of something special,” Andreozzi said. “God called us to do this work and the fact that we have fulfilled that call is exciting.”

If you are interested in volunteering or classes for a child call 461-5691. For more information visit www.stpeterswarwick.com.

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  • Manish

    Autism can now be treated with Stem cell therapy. Its a non invasive way of treating using stem cells drawn from the bone marrow of the patients and re injected through the spinal fluid. Stem cells once they enter the brain they start repairing the damaged areas in the brain and with six months new tissues are formed. Rehabilitation is a key to get the most out of the treatment. Please do your research and visit the nearest Stem cell treatment center and check about it. Check the website www.neurogen.in and this article as well http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/indian-treatment-helps-london-autistic-boy-talk-skate-and-solve-puzzle/

    am writing this to create awareness among people about the treatment that is available for Autism.

    Saturday, May 30, 2015 Report this