St. Alexander Parish in Warren will merge into St. Mary of the Bay – here's why
Two Catholic parishes in Warren are merging because of low membership, low Mass attendance and a low number of sacramental ceremonies at one of the parishes, the Providence diocese announced.
St. Alexander Parish will merge into St. Mary of the Bay Parish effective July 7, the diocese said. Parishioners were informed during Masses this weekend.
Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, bishop of Providence, approved the merger request made by the Rev. Joseph R. Upton, who serves as pastor of St. Mary of the Bay and administrator of St. Alexander, as well as by the trustees and finance councils of the two parishes, the diocese said.
How many parishioners were left at each church?
St. Alexander started serving the "Italian faithful" in 1915, but now has only about 60 registered households, according to the diocese. On a recent Sunday, its one weekend Mass was attended by about 40 worshippers. From 2016 to 2022, there were three Baptisms, eight First Communion students, 17 Confirmation candidates and three weddings at St. Alexander, according to the diocese.
Meanwhile, St. Mary has about 1,700 registered households. On a recent weekend, its four Masses attracted 550 to 600 people.
Membership, sacramental records will go to St. Mary
The two parishes have already been sharing resources in addition to Upton's dual roles. For example, all weekday and Holy day Masses are held at St. Mary. St. Alexander's religious education has been merged into St. Mary's.
"The people of St. Alexander and St. Mary of the Bay are grateful to Bishop Henning for granting our request for a formal canonical merger. We are eager to work together as a combined community of faith with shared resources in fulfilling our mission in Warren and beyond," Upton said in a diocese news release.
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"This process has brought our parish families together as one, not only in faith and service, but also in fellowship," Upton said. "We are eager to see what good things God has in store for us as a unified community."
St. Mary will receive the membership of St. Alexander, the diocese said, and all sacramental records will be transferred to the parish office of St. Mary.
Parishioners who want to challenge the merger have until June 30 to notify Henning.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: St. Alexander, St. Mary of the Bay Catholic parishes in Warren to merge
