By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Capping off a nine-month effort by a steering committee, a request to consolidate three Catholic parishes into one new parish has been approved by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

Three local churches, St. Joseph's at 193 Walcott St., Sacred Heart at 38 Park Place, and Our Lady of Consolation at 10 Webster St., will be merged into one new parish called Holy Family. A decision about where the new parish will be located will be made later this month at a meeting with parishioners of the three parishes, according to a press release issued by the Diocese.
It was announced on Friday that the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese, had approved the merger request that had been made by the parish leaders and the pastors of the three churches. It was also announced that the Holy Family parish will be lead by Fr. Robert P. Perron.
Fr. Perron currently serves as administrator of both the St. Joseph and Sacred Heart parishes. He will assume his new assignment at Holy Family on July 1. Fr. Normand L. Courtemanche, pastor of Our Lady of Consolation, will retire.
According to the statement from the Diocese, a “thorough consultative process was conducted with parishioners and leadership of the three parishes.” The statement added that 482 parishioners of the three parishes voted on the new name and nearly 709 parishioners signed a petition in support of the merger.
“Consolidating the spiritual and financial resources of these three parishes will enable the Church to better serve the people of Pawtucket,” said Fr. Perron. “It is the people, not a building, that creates a strong and vibrant faith community.”
According to the Diocese, Bishop Tobin has expressed his gratitude to parishioners of these parishes for their faithfulness and contributions “to the rich and diverse cultural Catholic history in these three parishes.”
The Bishop added, “It is my prayer that the Holy Family will continue to guide, protect, and strengthen the faithful of this new parish in all their endeavors.”
The sacramental records of these parishes will be preserved and maintained at the rectory of the new parish, once the location is established, according to the Diocese.
Fr. Perron said the news did not come as a surprise to the members of these three parishes, as some 500 took part in a vote to choose the name for the new parish. He said that a steering committee consisting of 35 leaders from all three churches participated in the discussions that lead to the consolidation petition.
Fr. Perron acknowledged that there will sadness among parishioners over the two church buildings that do close. “We're aware of this...people who were married or received their sacraments have a connection  with the churches,” said Fr. Perron.
However, Fr. Perron added that the consolidation is necessary in light of the declining populations and financial challenges occurring in all three of the parishes. “If we had a major problem with any building, we would be in major trouble,” said Perron. “When we come together, I think we will be stronger.”
Fr. Perron said that in addition to a strengthening of the core parishioners and finances, the merger will allow for a better concentration of the various ministry programs that have been operating at the three churches. He said there is recognition of how important the various food pantries, soup kitchens and other outreach programs are to the community and every effort will be made to continue to provide such services.