Donations stolen from church prayer box

By Maria Young | The Catholic Free Press
 
WEST BOYLSTON – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish has declined to press charges against a man who stole donations from a prayer box in the church.
 
In a statement posted on the West Boylston Police Department’s Facebook page on Sunday, Chief Dennis W. Minnich, Sr. gave an update regarding an “ongoing theft problem” at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on 111 Worcester St.
 
Donations were stolen from a prayer/candle box in the church. The proceeds go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, said Father Steven M. Labaire, pastor of the parish. The amount was “a rather large sum,” according to Chief Minnich.
 
The alleged thief was identified through video footage. This information was shared with Father Labaire and the St. Vincent De Paul Society, said Chief Minnich. Father Labaire declined to comment on the identity of this individual.
 
Father Labaire has declined to press charges and in the statement by Chief Minnich, the St. Vincent de Paul society has also declined and the investigation with the West Boylston Police Department has been closed.  
 
“It’s sad ... It’s being resolved. ... We are working with all the parties” involved, said Father Labaire.