NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - The oldest parish for Portuguese Catholics in North America could close unless it can revive its membership and raise money.
St. John the Baptist in New Bedford, Mass., was founded in 1871 to care for Portuguese-speaking immigrants who first arrived on whaling ships from the Azore Islands.
It has fallen onto difficult times as Portuguese immigration has slowed, older parishioners pass away and their descendants leave the city. Church member George Ladino remembers when Christmas Eve Masses were packed and wants the parish to recapture that strength.
Roman Catholic Bishop George Coleman of Fall River is giving the community until sometime in 2011 to turn itself around. Otherwise, St. John's will be merged with a nearby parish.
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