St. Patrick's Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, became the recent target of theft after approximately $9,000 in donations was reported missing, according to police statements. The theft, believed to have occurred sometime after the church closed at 5:30 p.m on Monday, was not discovered until the following morning around 8:30 a.m., NBC Boston reports.
While the Watertown Police Department is actively investigating the case, the thief remains unidentified, and no arrests have been made as of yet. The church, located at 212 Main Street, is reaching out to the community for any information or video evidence that could lead to the resolution of the crime, calming for public assistance in a statement obtained by CBS News Boston. Anyone with potential leads is encouraged to contact Detective Joe Kelland with any relevant information.
The stolen funds were part of the contributions from churchgoers, which are indispensable for maintaining the church's operational expenses, such as electricity and heat. "In these economic times people are already stretching every dollar to continue to make donations to the church," Father Timothy Kearney told CBS News Boston, highlighting the significance of these donations to the faith community.
The church, despite the setback, has affirmed that its youth and upcoming Christmas programs should not suffer as a result. In the spirit of its teachings, Father Kearney expressed the congregation's outlook on the unfortunate event, saying, "We try to look at it as best we can, the way that we think Jesus would look at it." He underscored the importance of forgiveness, even in the face of such a violation, he told, CBS News Boston.
As the community reels from the shock, Watertown Police urge the community to step forward with any helpful details. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or through a direct call to the Watertown Police Department.
