Two small parishes just a few miles apart in Hopkinton have received the green light to merge, closing a chapter of separate parish life that had already been fading for years.
Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., of the Diocese of Providence approved the merger of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Ashaway into St. Joseph Parish in Hope Valley after consulting the Council of Priests and reviewing requests from the pastor, trustees and finance councils of both parishes. Parishioners learned the news at Masses this past weekend, the moment the decree took effect.
Our Lady of Victory, at 169 Main St. in Ashaway, had been seeing its parish and sacramental life shrink for some time. In 2024 the parish reported no baptisms, three first communions, five confirmations and no marriages, with roughly 90 people attending its single weekend Mass. Since July 2026 that number has dropped further, to about 71. As of May 2026, the parish had around 154 registered parishioners. St. Joseph Parish, located at 1105 Main St. in Hope Valley, has held up somewhat better by comparison, with steadier Mass attendance and sacramental activity.
The two parishes were not strangers before this. They have shared a pastor since 2019, along with a bookkeeper, secretary and religious education director, and have run joint programs for years. Going forward, sacramental records from Our Lady of Victory will be kept at St. Joseph Parish, as required under Canon 535 of Church law.
Rev. Francesco Francese, who has served as administrator of Our Lady of Victory and pastor of St. Joseph, said that given the condition of both parishes, the wider Washington County area and the Diocese overall, he believed strengthening the bond between the two communities would serve the Church's mission. He proposed the merger after talking with parish leaders and diocesan representatives.
What it means for residents
Parishioners should not expect their churches to disappear. Bishop Lewandowski said the merger is meant to build a stronger parish so ministry can continue, and Father Francese said pastoral life will go on at both church buildings, Saint Joseph Church and Our Lady of Victory Church, as resources allow. For now, the practical changes are administrative: one parish name, one set of sacramental records, and Masses continuing at both locations in Ashaway and Hope Valley.
Source: Rhode Island Catholic
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