“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
~ Matthew 25:40
2012/2013 AUTISM FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE: DOWNLOAD PDF »
Mark your calendars!
May 11th – First Communion & Closing Mass (w/exception of the Confirmation students)
May 18th is our Autism Confirmation Ceremony with Bishop Tobin! Call Margaret Andreozzi for details 401.467.4895
Bishop Tobin Visits St. Peter’s Autism Program Nov. 17th 2012
We are truly thankful for the opportunity to have shared what God is doing in our Autism Program here at St. Peter’s with Bishop Tobin. He was able to visit each classroom and meet the teachers, students and their families, offering his encouragement, prayers and support. He experienced first-hand the beautiful graces that we, as a parish, have been able to enjoy these last few years as we’ve witnessed God working so powerfully among all those involved in this program.
Special thanks to Margaret Andreozzi and Fr. Roger Gagné for their profound dedication to this ministry, as well as the many volunteers and parents who have worked so hard together making it all possible.
Please continue to pray for us as we endeavor, with God’s grace, to meet the spiritual needs of those on the Autism Spectrum within our communities.
If you would like to learn more about St. Peter’s Autism Program, please contact Margaret Andreozzi – 401.461.5691
Opening Mass, October 6, 2013
We are looking forward to another special year of growing and learning with our Autistic Children, their families and our many volunteers. We had a very nice opening Mass as we welcomed some new students and teachers to our program. Please pray for God’s continued blessing and grace for this upcoming year!
May 19th, 2012
We have reached the end of another great year in our Autism Program. In our closing Mass, we were able to celebrate one First Communion as well as the continued growth of many others who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation next year, with Bishop Tobin.
This past year has been a great joy and growing experience for everyone involved as we continue to learn with, and from each other. We continue to thank God for His grace and generous provisions for us, as we endeavor to bring the Sacraments to those on the Autism spectrum in our community. It is evident by the responses and the smiles of those taking part, that God has revealed Himself in a very special way and continues to bear witness of His great love for all people.
Thank you parents, children, teachers and Fr. Gagné for another wonderful year!
See pictures of our Closing Mass!»
May 13th, 2012
Read about our Autism Program here at St. Peter’s in the recently published article: “Program Teaches Faith to People with Autism” in Our Sunday Visitor, a national newsweekly magazine.
We give glory and praise to God for the work He has accomplished here at St. Peter’s in our Autism and the Sacraments Program through the many inspired volunteers He has brought together. It is truly a miracle to witness the joy in these children as they learn about their faith and experience Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist!
In the Fall of 2008, St. Peter’s Faith Formation Program launched its brand new addition to our Faith Formation offerings: Autism & the Sacraments.
This new approach to faith formation is peaceful, welcoming & innovative – adapting to each child’s individual learning style – in a compassionate, loving & inclusive environment. The program is tailored to children on the autism spectrum, those with developmental delay(s) and children who are non-verbal.
The response to this one-of-a-kind program in the Diocese of Providence has been wonderful – families from every corner of RI & beyond have enrolled!
Each Year we celebrate a number of beautiful Masses with our Autism & the Sacraments families; an opening Mass in the Fall, a Mass of Peace in the winter, and a closing Mass each Spring.
If you are interested in having your child enroll, please call Margaret Andreozzi, elementary faith formation coordinator, 401/461-5691 to be placed on a waiting list for our program.
In the Fall 2009, we added 7 new students ages 7 & 8 to start another Year One Autism & the Sacraments Program, adding to our already existing 18 students. And in the Fall of 2010, we added 6 more bringing us to a total of 31 students! We are pleased to say that this year 9 of our previous year students have been transferred into our regular sacrament classes.
Christmas 2011
We had another wonderful Christmas Mass for the families in our Autism Program and once again were able to witness the beautiful expressions on the children’s faces as they experienced Jesus in a very special way. The Mass included decorating a Christmas tree, followed by a gathering with cookie decorating, snacks and mingling for parents and teachers.
A sincere thank you, on behalf of your St. Peter’s parish family, to all the parents for the beautiful example of dedication and love you show for your children as you continue to guide them and live out the real meaning of Christmas. And thank you teachers, staff and especially Fr. Gagné for the sacrifices that are continually being made in order to make this priceless Faith Formation program possible.
Follow link to see Pictures from the St. Peter’s Autism Christmas Mass 2011»
As The St. Peter’s Autism Program continues to expand and grow, we are pleased this year to have Chiropractor, Dr. Gary Brodeur (Brodeur Family Chiropractic) working with our parents and children in educating and encouraging them in the area’s of health and well being. He says:
“Over the years I have cared for many children in my practice who fall somewhere along the spectrum and have seen amazing changes in them. More recently I have felt called to serve this growing part of our population and have begun working with the families involved in the St. Peter’s Church faith formation program: Autism & The Sacraments.” ~Dr. Gary
Read the full article: Autism and Chiropractic
Our Autism Faith Formation Program has gone national!
Our program received national recognition on Feb. 25, 2009, when Associated Press reporter Ray Henry published his wonderful article, “Autistic Offered Religious Education” following his visit with our class! Complete with photos and interviews with the class, the article has been shared all over the United States (even in Hawaii!).
Opening Mass – Fall of 2011
We had a beautiful gathering of eager children and their families attend our opening Mass on October 8th. Together we celebrated Our Lady of the Rosary entrusting our children and upcoming efforts to her care and protection. We are looking forward to another great year of learning and growing together!!
Christmas Mass 2010
