Ongoing Parish Changes in Diocese of Providence

(PROVIDENCE, RI) -  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has announced that St. Brigid Church in Johnston will be closed permanently as of July 1, 2019. The move comes one year after St. Brigid became a ‘mission’ of St. Rocco Church in Johnston due to declining Mass attendance and on-going maintenance costs and six months after the church temporarily closed. Parishioners were notified of the permanent closure at Masses the weekend of May 4-5.  

 In addition, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has approved the merger of two parishes in Burrillville, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Nasonville will merge into Our Lady of Good Help in Mapleville, effective July 1, 2019. A diminishing demographic shift resulting in a decline in sacramental practices is the primary reason for the merger. Since 2015, the two parishes have shared one pastor, consolidated their religious education program, as well as the parish bulletin and website.  

Our Lady of Good Help Parish will remain a national parish and will assume responsibility for the pastoral care of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish.  St. Theresa of the Child Jesus church building, which is home to the first shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Theresa of the Little Flower, will remain open for liturgical use and will serve as a mission of Our Lady of Good Help Parish. All sacramental records will be remain at their current location, the parishes’ office at 35 Dion Drive, Harrisville, RI. Parishioners were notified of the merger this past weekend. 

“These parish changes are part of the ongoing pastoral planning process taking place throughout the Diocese,” said Bishop Tobin.  “I am most grateful to the pastors, parish leaders and dedicated parishioners who have taken the lead in implementing these initiatives.”

Click below for the formal canonical decrees:
Decree: St. Brigid, Johnston
Decree: Theresa of the Child Jesus, Nasonville