Diocese Of Providence Announces Parish Mergers, Closures

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Diocese of Providence announced the merger of some parishes and the closing of others.

The Monday announcement said parishioners were "informed of the bishop’s approval of the proposals at Masses this weekend, at which time the decrees became effective."

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The announcement cited declining and limited Mass attendance.

Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in Warren will Saint Mary of the Bay Parish, also in Warren.

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"Declining Mass attendance, limited sacramental activity, and the dearth of parish activities indicated the broader mission for which these parishes were established demands a new configuration to better meet the needs of the Catholic faithful in Warren," the announcement said. "The Saint Thomas the Apostle Church building will remain available as an additional worship site for Saint Mary of the Bay Parish."

Saint Brendan Parish and Saint Martha Parish, both in East Providence, will merge into one parish named Saints Brendan and Martha Parish.

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"The new Saints Brendan and Martha Parish will maintain both current worship sites," the announcement said. "Both parishes had been actively collaborating in several areas of ministry and parish administration since 2023 which led to greater vitality in parish life."

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Community, a "quasi-parish" has closed.

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"Limited Mass attendance and sacramental activity following the retirement of the community’s longtime priest-administrator, Monsignor Sabourin, necessitated the change," the announcement said.

"Sacramental records will be faithfully maintained at Saint Bernard Parish in North Kingstown in accordance with Canon 535. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was established as a quasi-parish by Bishop Thomas Tobin in May 2008," per the diocese.

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