Generosity follows Christmas Eve theft of collection money

Published: 2006-01-05

EDISON, N.J. (CNS) -- The Christmas Eve theft of about $10,000 in cash and checks from a collection basket at Guardian Angels Church in Edison has prompted a wave of Christian compassion and generosity. "It's amazing. In today's mail somebody sent a check from upstate New York and people have been coming by who have heard about it on the TV and radio," Msgr. James P. Moran, pastor of Guardian Angels, told The Catholic Spirit, Metuchen diocesan newspaper, Dec. 29. "One of the local banks (Wachovia) has been gracious and waived the fee for canceling checks," he added. "They are not charging for checks stolen from that collection." The money was taken from the collection basket after the 4 p.m. Mass as Msgr. Moran was saying goodbye to worshipers at the front door. The basket had been routinely brought to the altar with the Communion gifts because it is the parishioners' tithing gifts to the Lord, Msgr. Moran said. "We will change that," he said.

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