(Woonsocket, RI) -- Three Catholic parishes in Woonsocket are merging. The Diocese of Providence announced on Monday that Bishop Thomas Tobin has approved a request to consolidate Holy Family, Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and Sacred Heart into the new Holy Trinity Parish, effective July 1st. Parishioners were informed of the move at Mass this past weekend. The diocese says declining population and financial challenges were among the issues that led to the decision.