• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe
A 2017 file photo shows Little Sisters of the Poor with Archbishop William E. Lori at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. (CR file)

Little Sisters of the Poor believe they were robbed after Christmas shopping

George P. Matysek Jr. November 27, 2018
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News

Mother Superior Joseph Caroline Beutler of the Little Sisters of the Poor is based at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged. (Courtesy Little Sisters of the Poor)

Apparent Good Samaritans turned out to be nothing of the sort after allegedly stealing Christmas presents from two Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Costco in Columbia Nov. 26.

Mother Superior Joseph Caroline Beutler and Sister Bernadette Mary Wilson, who care for the elderly poor at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Catonsville, were taking advantage of holiday sales to purchase $510 worth of items, including blankets and socks they intended to give as gifts to the employees of St. Martin’s at an upcoming Christmas party.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., Mother Joseph Caroline said, they were approached by a man who offered to help them outside the store as it began to rain.

Accompanied by a woman Mother Joseph Caroline described as “very nervous,” the man pushed their carts and loaded packages into the Little Sisters’ car in what the sisters assumed was a gesture of goodwill.

“The next thing we knew, the carts were empty,” she said. “It wasn’t until we got home that we realized that we only had about half our packages. There was $220 worth of merchandise stolen. When we turned our backs, he must have gone off with the goods.”

Sherry Llewellyn, director of public affairs for the Howard County Police Department, said a police report has not been filed, but an investigation has been opened.

“We have not seen a trend of incidents like this,” she said.

Marcy Shea-Frank, director of development for the Little Sisters of the Poor, said the sisters were notified by Costco officials Nov. 27 that a flatbed of merchandise believed to have been purchased by the sisters was found on the store’s property. It was not in the same location as where the sisters were Nov. 26. Mother Joseph Caroline believes the alleged thieves had a change of heart or decided they didn’t want the items after they saw what they were.

Mother Joseph Caroline said she is grateful that no one was hurt during the incident. She noted that after the sisters realized they had been scammed, Sister Bernadette Mary wanted to go back to the site to find the suspects.

“I told her I didn’t think that was a good idea,” Mother Joseph Caroline said with a laugh. “We don’t want to jeopardize our safety.”

Mother Joseph Caroline said the sisters forgive those who allegedly robbed them, noting that they continue to believe in the goodness of people.

Mother Joseph Caroline hopes to raise awareness for the elderly and others who may be vulnerable while shopping.

“There was a woman in front of us on a scooter and oxygen,” she said, “and she had packages. We want to make sure others are aware for their own protection.”

Mother Joseph Caroline encouraged anyone who would like to make a donation in support of the sisters’ ministry to visit www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org

“We are sorry this happened to us,” Mother Joseph Caroline said. “We just never expected it.”

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org.

 

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek was named digital editor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2017 following two decades at the Catholic Review, where he began as a writer and then served as senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and web editor.

In his current role, he manages archbalt.org and CatholicReview.org and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 70 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge, where they are parishioners of St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge/St. Mary of the Assumption, Govans.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

St. Ignatius, Hickory, answers call as COVID vaccination clinic

Archbishop Lori invites parishioners to pray, learn more during Child Abuse Prevention Month

Sister Dolores Hudson, OSU, served in Cumberland hometown as teacher and principal, dies at 82

Two bills that would limit Maryland’s role in immigration enforcement get final push by advocates

RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori on Easter, Evangelization and the Eucharist

Latest World News

Pope calls all Catholics to be missionaries of God’s mercy

Cardinal Cassidy, Vatican’s former top ecumenist, dies at 96

London cardinal leads Catholics in mourning death of Prince Philip

Priests’ dogs are more than just parish mascot: They’re ‘good for the soul’

Pope ‘moved’ by registry of nighttime adoration he attended

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Pope calls all Catholics to be missionaries of God’s mercy
  • Cardinal Cassidy, Vatican’s former top ecumenist, dies at 96
  • Haiku Highlights from Easter (7 Quick Takes)
  • London cardinal leads Catholics in mourning death of Prince Philip
  • Priests’ dogs are more than just parish mascot: They’re ‘good for the soul’
  • Pope ‘moved’ by registry of nighttime adoration he attended
  • St. Ignatius, Hickory, answers call as COVID vaccination clinic
  • ‘Profound evil’ of abuse must be eradicated, Pope Francis tells symposium
  • Archbishop Lori invites parishioners to pray, learn more during Child Abuse Prevention Month
  • Sister Dolores Hudson, OSU, served in Cumberland hometown as teacher and principal, dies at 82

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED