Worcester Diocese announces 2 Catholic churches will merge

OXFORD ― Two Catholic congregations in Oxford are set to merge after a decree by Worcester Bishop Robert Joseph McManus.

The two parishes, St. Roch and St. Ann, share the same pastor, the Rev. James J. Boulette, and are about three miles apart. St. Ann, at 652 Main St., will be closed and sold, while the combined parish will meet at St. Roch, at 332 Main St.

The Worcester Diocese said that both parishes underwent five years of financial reports and assessments of parish buildings and properties. Committees analyzed strengths and weaknesses to get a better idea of what "was working and not working." The information was then shared with parishioners.

The two parishes have had “parish revival” committees meeting since early in the year studying the situations they are facing: fewer people in the pews on weekends, increasing operating costs without increases in operational revenues, a shared pastor, participation in youth programs and overall sacramental activity.

St. Roch Parish averages $7,900 in weekly income, while St. Ann averages $2,900 a week, according to McManus' decree, which also said St. Ann's is on target to owe the diocese $60,000 by next month.

St. Roch's parking lot is larger and the church holds more parishioners than St. Ann.

"A merged parish will save (the diocese) money to not have to maintain two churches and related facilities when one church and related facilities are more than ample to handle all the needs in Oxford," Worcester Diocese Chancellor and Director of Communications Ray Delisle said. "Loss of a church and a parish is never easy and the parishioners are to be commended for working through this process along with their pastor, Father Boulette."

The parish revival committees ultimately concluded that it would be best if they became one parish again, as they were when St. Roch opened in 1857. They made that recommendation to McManus, who accepted it and issued a decree making the merger effective in September.

Boulette announced the decision last week in a video message.

"It will take time to adjust to the change, but when the commitment is there to be both welcoming and respectful of the patrimony of the parish being closed, the new parish will be far stronger as a result," Delisle said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Diocese announces 2 Catholic churches will merge