WEST WARWICK — In an effort to provide for the ongoing pastoral care of the parishioners of St. Mary Parish and SS. John and James Parish in West Warwick, the two parishes will merge effective July 1, 2019. This affiliation also reflects the history of the parishes as St. Mary Parish, on two previous occasions, was designated as a mission of SS. John and James.
Following a thorough pastoral planning process, and after consultation with diocesan staff, the Diocesan College of Consultors and the Council of Priests, Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin granted the request from Father Douglas Spina, pastor of St. Mary Parish and Father Eddy Lopez-Bolanos, administrator of SS. John and James Parish.
There has been a steady decline in Mass attendance and sacramental practice. Recent attendance at weekend Masses at St. Mary Parish totaled approximately 150 individuals, which is below the benchmark that is used for parish viability. Sacramental practice has also declined at St. Mary Parish: from 2014-2018, there were 10 parish weddings, 39 baptisms and 36 children received First Holy Communion. Another significant factor is the imminent retirement from active ministry of the pastor of St. Mary Parish. Father Nicholas Fleming will become the new pastor serving both faith communities, effective July 1, 2019.
The St. Mary church building will remain open for liturgical celebrations. All sacramental records of St. Mary will be transferred to the rectory office of SS. John and James Parish where they will be maintained.
St. Mary Parish was established in 1850 to serve the faith community in the Crompton section of West Warwick, and predates the establishment of the Diocese of Providence. St. Mary is the oldest Catholic Church building still in use in the diocese.
The Canonical Decree is available at www.dioceseofprovidence.org.
