PROVIDENCE — Since arriving in Rhode Island, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. has spoken openly about the need to review the strength, viability, and long-term plans of parishes across the Diocese of Providence. Strong, vibrant, and well-resourced parishes are needed to further the Church’s mission of living and sharing the Gospel. This continues the work that his predecessors began during their tenures as bishops.
Several parishes in Providence and West Warwick have received approval to finalize their mergers. After consulting the Council of Priests, Bishop Lewandowski, approved the requests of the pastors, trustees, and finance councils of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and SS. Peter and Paul Parish to merge into St. Joseph Parish, all of which are in West Warwick; and approved the requests of the pastors, trustees, and finance council of St. Agnes Parish to merge into St. Ann Parish, both in Providence. Parishioners were informed of the bishop’s approval at Masses last weekend, at which time the decrees became effective.
Additionally, Holy Family Parish in Pawtucket, which is comprised of the churches of St. Joseph and Our Lady of Consolation, has proposed to the diocese a merger into St. John Paul II Parish, Pawtucket. St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish has also proposed a merger into St. John the Baptist Parish, also in Pawtucket. Before a decision is made on any of these proposals, there is a process mandated by the Church’s Code of Canon Law which must be followed, including consulting the Council of Priests and final approval by Bishop Lewandowski. Nothing is final until the proposal made by these parishes is reviewed and approved by the bishop.
“This is certainly sad news for those who love their parishes and have heroically supported them for decades. They and their pastors are in my prayers daily. With God’s help, the mergers will create stronger, more vibrant parishes, to enable the Church to continue Christ’s mission and ministry for years to come,” said Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Providence.
West Warwick
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, located at 60 Pleasant Street, and Saints Peter and Paul Parish at 48 Highland Street, had both experienced a decline in parish and sacramental life. In 2025, Our Lady of Good Counsel had reported fewer than 100 parishioners at weekend Masses, and Saints Peter and Paul only about 130 parishioners at weekend Masses. The three West Warwick parishes had already taken steps towards unification, having already shared various programs and resources for several years. Sacramental records will all be maintained at St. Joseph Parish, 854 Providence St., in accordance with Canon 535.
Father Gregory P. Stowe, who is Pastor of St. Joseph Parish and Administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Parish, said, “I am grateful to Bishop Lewandowski for his pastoral leadership and vision in implementing the merger of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and SS. Peter and Paul Parish with St. Joseph Parish in West Warwick. Since January 1 of this year, the parish communities have joined together in the sharing of sacramental life and parish activities—all religious education has taken place at St. Joseph, all Masses have been moved to St. Joseph, and all sacramental records are currently at St. Joseph. As a pastor, I am moved by the hard work and daily sacrifice so many of our parishioners and families make in the building up of the Body of Christ. It is never easy to say goodbye to a parish, but I am convinced that this is the right move for all our people in order to better meet the needs of the Catholic faithful of West Warwick and promote missionary discipleship in our community.”
Providence
St. Agnes Parish, located at 100 Chatham Street, also experienced a decline in parish and sacramental life, reporting in 2024 that weekend Mass attendance was approximately 60 parishioners and reporting zero baptisms, first communions, confirmations, or marriages in all of 2023. St. Ann Parish, 2 Russo Street, will receive and maintain all sacramental records of St. Agnes in accordance with Canon 535.
Father Nolasco Tamayo, Pastor of St. Ann Parish and Administrator of St. Agnes Parish, said, “When the former pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Rev. Frank S. Salmani, retired I took over the administration of St. Agnes Parish. Since June 30, 2024, all Masses and services ceased at St. Agnes due to the lack of parishioners, the aging population and not enough resources to keep up with the operation of the buildings and staff. Before his retirement, Father Salmani had met with the St. Agnes parish financial council and trustees to make a final decision they agreed to proceed with a proposal to merge into St. Ann’s, presenting the formal petition to then-Bishop Richard G. Henning, S.T.D. We had to wait for our new bishop, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., in order to move this merger forward.”
