PROVIDENCE— After consulting the Council of Priests, Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Providence, approved the request of the pastors, trustees, and finance councils of two parishes in Pawtucket to merge into two others.
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish will merge into Saint John the Baptist Parish; and Holy Family Parish, which consists of Saint Joseph Church and Our Lady of Consolation Church—will merge into Saint John Paul II Parish. 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 the city of Pawtucket.
Parishioners were informed of the bishop’s approval of their proposals at Masses this weekend, at which time the decrees became effective.
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Pawtucket
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, located at 103 Pine Street in Pawtucket, and established in 1829, experienced decline in parish life and sacramental practice. In 2024, the parish reported only 120 people attending weekend Masses and reported financial net operating losses combined with rising costs of maintenance and operations. Sacramental records of Saint Mary and the former Saint Edward Parish (merged into Saint Mary in 2014 and alienated and sold in 2021), and the former Saint Maria Goretti Parish (also previously merged into Saint Mary) will be faithfully maintained at Saint John the Baptist in accordance with Canon 535.
Holy Family Parish, Pawtucket
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin established Holy Family Parish in 2009 as a unification of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (38 Park St.), Our Lady of Consolation Parish (211 Sabin St.), and Saint Joseph Parish (195 Walcott St.), all in Pawtucket. The Sacred Heart church building and property were relegated and subsequently alienated and sold that same year. In 2024, Holy Family Parish reported 240 people attending weekend Mass—510 fewer than a decade prior—and only 4 baptisms, 2 first communions, 2 confirmations, and zero marriages in all of 2024. Holy Family Parish also reported net operating losses and mounting costs. Sacramental records of Holy Family Parish and the former Saint Joseph, Our Lady of Consolation, and Sacred Heart Parishes, will be faithfully maintained at Saint John Paul II in accordance with Canon 535.
