Members of Our Lady of Pompeii Shrine are praying someone out there has enough Christmas spirit to return the religious goods stolen from the Near West Side church last week.
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Police say a thief on Dec. 16, stole a monstrance, a chalice used during benediction services; and a ciborium, a larger chalice used to hold holy communion. Also stolen were two candelabras, a red and a purple vestment and two teapots.
“We just hope whoever has them will bring them back and make our Christmas a little brighter,” said Joanne Spata executive director of the 86-year-old church at 1224 W. Lexington St.
On Wednesday, after Darryl Appleton, 40, of 1749 W. Washburne Ave., was charged with the burglary, Harrison Area Sgt. Jerold Swarbrick said the suspect claimed to have sold the loot on the street.
While the stolen merchandise might not be valuable in a material sense, each piece was donated in the memory of someone and has a symbolic value that can’t be measured in dollars, officials said.
“It’s really horrible to have sacramental items on the street,” Spata said. “It’s an affront to the Catholic Church, and it’s an affront to God.”
Spata said church officials are considering offering a reward for the return of the items. “But we hope, since it’s Christmas week, some good soul will return them,” she said.