Falmouth Catholic Parishes Uniting Into 1 Parish

FALMOUTH, MA — Three Catholic churches in Falmouth unite as one parish, according to clergy officials with the Diocese of Fall River.

Diocese Bishop Edgar M, da Cuhna approved Wednesday a proposal from the Pastoral Council of the Catholic Community of Falmouth to combine St. Anthony, St. Patrick and St. Elizabeth Seton parishes, into the new St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family. The new parish will be formally established on July 1.

"At this time, we plan to retain the present churches, including St. Thomas and St. Joseph Chapels, maintaining historic names and identities," said Rev. Stephen Avila said, who has been pastor of all three parishes in the Falmouth Collaborative since 2019 and was appointed pastor of the new parish community.

Parish officials said there are several benefits to unifying the three parishes. Like many churches throughout the United States, the Fall River Diocese has seen a decrease in the number of priests. Parish officials said unification helps address this shortage.

Parish officials created the collaborative in November 2018, stemming from a study conducted by the Fall River Diocese. As part of the collaborative's strategic plan, the Pastoral Council, consisting of members of all three parishes, reviewed the viability of the Falmouth Collaborative within a three-year time frame.

Clergy officials also said unification strengthens the Falmouth Catholic community, improves efficiency with both people and money, and improves community outreach.

"This year, the council agreed it was time to merge the parishes into one, since we have seen evidence that collaboration makes us a stronger and a more viable community," Avila said.

Avila said St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family, was the council's first choice for a name for the new parish, and he was happy da Cunha agreed to it.

"Not only is this year designated by the Catholic Church as the Year of St. Joseph, but the name was chosen because all of our churches and chapels in Falmouth were established from the first Catholic parish in Falmouth, which was St. Joseph in Woods Hole," Avila said.