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Diocese of Providence closes St. Benedict, Warwick – merges into St. Kevin
Photo: Taken from live-streamed mass this morning
Due to a steady decline in the number of parishioners and sacramental activity resulting in a lack of parish community life, the St. Benedict parish administrator, parish trustees, and parish finance council have requested that St. Benedict parish be merged into St. Kevin parish and the St. Benedict church building be permanently closed.
After consulting with the affected parishes, the diocesan College of Consultors, and the Council of Priests, Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence, has approved this request effective November 17, 2021. Parishioners were informed of the decision at Masses this weekend.
“I commend the pastor and parish leadership of St. Kevin parish and St. Benedict parish for taking the initiative to bring about this parish merger,” said Bishop Tobin. “While the loss of a church building is a significant change, in this case I know that this new configuration will strengthen the Church and will enhance the pastoral and spiritual care of Catholics in the area.”
“Since our yoking in 2017, and with the sound advice and guidance of our friends at the Diocese, we have been pleased to work together as two parishes to build a future as bright as our past. The spirit of cooperation in everything from combined religious education programs, maintenance and office staff, social events, financial issues, clergy support, Catholic education, and liturgical and sacramental celebrations has been seamless and uplifting,” said Rev. Robert L. Marciano, pastor, St. Kevin parish.
“As in life, when a senior parent can move in with a child for those future golden years, so too, St. Benedict parish, who gave birth to St. Kevin parish more than 60 years ago, can now take up residence with a grateful child for a future of stability, faith and good works. The good news for all is that the Catholic presence in Warwick remains strong in this new vibrant parish strong with virtues of family, charity and faith.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, St. Benedict parish was confronting a diminishing demographic shift in population with a resulting decline in sacramental practice. Since 2017, the parishes have shared one assigned priest and since 2020, they have combined religious education. In 2021, both parishes began to consolidate office staff and office locations to St. Kevin, and St. Benedict’s sacramental records have been stored and maintained at St. Kevin, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick.