Posted on 12/26/2005 9:37:45 PM PST by Coleus
The Grinch stole Christmas, at least in one Edison church.
Someone stole close to $8,000 in cash and checks from the collection basket at The Church of the Guardian Angels just after a crowded Christmas Eve Mass Saturday afternoon, according to police and church officials.
"I don't know how someone does this and lives with their own conscience," Monsignor James Moran said yesterday. "We do have programs for the poor and needy."
The large, brown wicker basket, lined with a white cloth and filled with donations, had been placed on the altar during the service and was left there while Moran went to the front door to greet parishioners leaving the standing-room-only service at about 5 p.m.
When he returned to the altar about 20 minutes later, the basket was in precisely the same spot beneath the brightly colored stained glass windows and the soaring wooden ceiling. But it held only some coins, Moran said.
Close to 900 people attended the Mass, the biggest of the year. The church, located near Route 1 in the midst of a neighborhood of modest homes, depends on the collections to pay for a variety of expenses, such as maintenance bills, insurance and salaries.
Moran announced the theft to stunned parishioners at midnight Mass and yesterday, warning those who left checks to cancel them.
There were audible gasps in the audience as he relayed the news. Many members have been attending since the church was founded in 1962.
"I told the people God will get the person," he said.
Margaret Reilly of Edison, along with her three children, were among those attending the 11 a.m. Mass.
"Everybody was a little shocked," she said later. "People do get robbed, but you don't expect that to happen in church or on Christmas."
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
How did they know 8 thou was in the basket since it was immediately after the service ?? And how can they collect that much during ONE service ? Holy moly !!!
God will get him or her.
I was head usher at the time that our parish brought the collection basket up to the altar (we no longer do that). You had better believe that I never took my eyes off of that basket.
You'd have to be pretty stupid to leave money lying around unguarded.
maybe they counted it prior to setting it on the table?
and with 900 people in attendance, I can see how they could collect 8,000.00 people like to give during the holidays.
Just sad that someone could do that.
not stupid just trusting in others.
Maybe they figured no one would steal from a church.
Bet they are more cautious next time around.
Fine. Not stupid. Fools.
I guess the church's Guardian Angel was not in attendance.
When we lived in NJ, back in the mid to late 80's, I sang in our Parish choir. The Choir Director used to get professional musicians to play with our Choir for Christmas Eve Mass. One year, we had a cellist, and she had left her purse about 10' behind her down a side hall of the Church. When Mass was over, she went to get it, and someone had come in that side door and stolen it during Mass! The worst part was that she had her car keys in it, and couldn't drive to her next gig which was Midnight Mass at a Church in NYC!
Back around 1970 when I was pumping gas every Sunday morning at a Sunoco station next door to the big local Catholic church, some teenagers who were only too happy to serve as altar boys every week used to come into the waiting area of the gas station and divvy up their proceeds.
"Someone stole close to $8,000 in cash and checks from the collection basket at The Church of the Guardian Angels just after a crowded Christmas Eve Mass Saturday afternoon, according to police and church officials."
Hmm. Stealing from they who wish to help the poor and unfortunate? Good luck explaining that one to the Father in the afterlife.
He may as well cover himself in Crisco oil now because the fires will be hot, hot, hot!!!
Gotta keep your eye on the money. One of the rules of life.
Again, foolish. BTW, for you women who leave your purses on the pew when you go up to receive Holy Eucharist, don't leave them near the end of the pew where they can be easily removed.
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| Well Put. |
My money is on the local crack addict.
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