Thieves broke in to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1050 Porter Street, Detroit, and stole numerous items, including the tabernacle, chalices, ciboria (pronounced sih-BORE-ee-ah - containers used to hold consecrated bread), an aspergillum (pronounced as-PER-gill-um - used to sprinkle holy water), candelabra, brass bells, and an icon from Russia. The tabernacle contained the Holy Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the true presence of Jesus Christ.

 

Also taken were a brass lantern chandelier circa 1800 that was ripped from the ceiling and a corpus (a representation of the body of Jesus) that was removed from a large cross in the sanctuary. In addition, the sacristy safe was broken in to.

 

The thieves entered the church through a side window on Sixth Street sometime between Monday afternoon, September 8, and Tuesday morning, September 9, at 8:15 a.m., when the break-in was discovered.

 

"This is not the first time Jesus has been with thieves," said Father Russ Kohler, pastor of Most Holy Trinity. "I want the people who did this to know in whose presence they are right now. That alone should be reason enough to return what was taken."

 

Father Kohler added that when Most Holy Trinity once again has a tabernacle, he would be calling on the people of the parish and across the community to "make a commitment of adoration hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament." A Mass of Repentance and Reparation will be planned sometime soon. Such a liturgy is required by Church law (Canon 1211) after a worship space has been desecrated.

 

Founded in 1834, Most Holy Trinity will be marking its 175th anniversary in January. Built originally for Detroit's Irish community, the parish now serves a multicultural community that includes Irish, Mexican, Maltese, Puerto Ricans and African-Americans.

 

The parish offers many outreach services to people in need, including the Cabrini Medical Clinic, where over 50 physicians and nurses see about 75 patients a week; a legal clinic to assist immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship; and an Open Door Program for the homeless that provides them a place to take showers, hygiene kits, a change of clothing and assistance in finding jobs.

 

"We would never consider for a moment not being open and serving the poor of Corktown and beyond," said Father Kohler. "That's who we are."

 

Anyone with any information about the break-in at Most Holy Trinity is encouraged to call Officer Therssen at the Central District of the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-1300 or Most Holy Trinity Parish at 313-965-4450. Donations for repairs and replacement items may be sent directly to the parish