An option especially appropriate for small rural parishes would be to become an oratory affiliated with a larger parish in a neighboring municipality.  All records and financial operators would transfer to the larger parish that would assume responsibility for the oratory.  The weekend liturgies would be celebrated at the larger parish, but the oratory could be used for Weddings, Funerals or other occasional services.  Having an oratory, as opposed to closing a church, provides for a continuing Catholic presence in a rural area.