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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

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.

 

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George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 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. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

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