SJ Church Uses Voice, Soul for Mass

A Catholic church in San Jose that was burglarized three times this summer has not given up faith. Or its music.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Pastor Jon Pedigo told NBC Bay Area Sunday that burglars might have stolen $25,000 worth of electrical bases, amplifiers and other musical equipment from inside the church. But, he said, they didn't steal "our voices" and "our souls."

On Sunday, Mass was still celebrated at the 2020 East San Antonio St. church, with parishioners singing the hymns a cappella.

The church has been burglarized three times between June 28 and July 4. Stolen were: Amplifiers, an electric bass, violins, guitars, microphones and mixers among other things, church officials said.

What was especially upsetting is that the musicians had raised the money themselves to buy the equipment, by holding taco sales and holding car washes after Mass. One parishioner told NBC Bay Area that he is focusing on "forgiveness," and these burglaries have given him this "golden opportunity."

The focus is now to hold more fundraisers to buy more equipment.

To find out how to help the church, you can contact them here.