News Summary
The Diocese of Fall River has announced the closure of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Attleboro due to declining attendance and a shortage of priests. The closure is set for June 30, affecting local parishioners who will transition to nearby Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish. This closure is part of a broader trend impacting several other parishes in the diocese, reflecting ongoing challenges within the Catholic community as congregations diminish.
Attleboro Set to Lose St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish Amid Declining Attendance
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River has announced the upcoming closure of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Attleboro. This decision is a response to a continuing decline in congregation numbers and a significant shortage of priests within the diocese. The official closure is scheduled for June 30, following an interim closure on Monday.
St. Theresa’s Parish, located at the intersection of Baltic Street and Washington Street (Route 1), represents one of five parishes in the Diocese of Fall River that will be closing over the next month. The other affected parishes include St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Bedford and three parishes in Westport: Our Lady of Grace, St. George, and St. John the Baptist.
Transition Plans for Parishioners
To accommodate the needs of parishioners from St. Theresa’s, the Diocese has arranged for them to transition to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Seekonk. This transition aims to provide continued worship opportunities for those affected by the closure. Meanwhile, the three parishes in Westport will merge into a new parish named Divine Mercy Parish, which will maintain all three former church sites for worship services.
Contributing Factors to Closure
The decision to close St. Theresa’s and the other parishes is rooted in long-standing trends that include a steady decline in Mass attendance and a significant reduction in vocations to the priesthood. This ongoing situation has made it increasingly challenging for the Diocese to sustain operations at multiple parishes as resources are stretched thin.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha has underscored that the tough decision to close parishes comes after extensive prayer and discernment, reflecting the gravity and significance of maintaining parish communities throughout the diocese.
Future Outlook for the Diocese
Parish closures and mergers are not new issues for the Roman Catholic community in the area; they reflect broader changes happening across many dioceses throughout the U.S. As congregations shrink and pastoral resources diminish, local bishops are tasked with making difficult decisions aimed at preserving the future of the Church. These changes often necessitate that parishioners seek new places of worship, creating challenges for communities that have long taken comfort in their local parishes.
The Diocese of Fall River is taking steps to facilitate a smoother transition for its parishioners as these adjustments occur. The closure of St. Theresa’s and the other parishes will officially take effect on June 30, while the new Divine Mercy Parish in Westport is set to be established on June 20.
Final Thoughts
As St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish prepares to close its doors, it marks an end of an era for many longtime parishioners in Attleboro. The reorganization and merging of parishes aim to create a stronger, more viable religious presence in the region, despite the challenges faced by the Catholic community.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- The Sun Chronicle
- Fall River Reporter
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Catholic Church in the United States
- Google Search: parish closures in the US
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