Middletown – The two women sat praying at opposite ends of the all-night chapel yesterday when the man in the clear plastic cape came in and shattered the silence of the dawning day.<\/p>\n
"Don’t look at me," police say he shouted at one of the women after snatching a leather-bound Bible from her hands. His face also was covered in clear plastic. He dropped the Bible – it apparently wasn’t what he was looking for – and took the other woman’s bag before he fled.<\/p>\n
Police say he wanted money. What he got was a handful of prayer cards and a few dollar bills collected from people who asked that a candle be lighted for a sick friend or relative.<\/p>\n
It was over in less than two minutes. No one was hurt. But the crime at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church sent shudders through a community that sees the church as its sacred center.<\/p>\n
…For others, though, the robbery won’t scare them off.<\/p>\n
"I wouldn’t hesitate to come," said Christine Sacchi, who attended midday Mass with four of her seven children. "I think maybe my husband and I should make the extra effort to come."<\/p>\n