Vandal removes head of Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at East Islip church
The damage was discovered as churchgoers gathered for services and First Communion celebrations, an event that typically brings families to the spot to take photos.
A quiet Sunday morning turned unsettling for parishioners at St. Mary’s Church when they discovered the head of a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue had been removed.
“I had come out from a funeral and saw people hanging around,” said Father Anthony Iaconis, pastor of St. Mary’s.
The damage was discovered as churchgoers gathered for services and First Communion celebrations, an event that typically brings families to the spot to take photos.
“Across the way into the auditorium, we had first communions and this is where the kids come and they take their picture,” Iaconis said.
Police were called, and the statue’s head was later found nearby in bushes, according to the pastor.
Regina Vavricka, who has been a member of the parish with her husband for nearly 60 years, said the act has shaken the community.
“I think everyone would be upset by it even whether you belong to this parish or not, or whether you’re Catholic or Jewish, it doesn’t really matter,” she said.
Iaconis said donations have already begun to come in to help repair the statue, which is expected to be restored by next week.
“It’s a terrible thing,” he said. “I just ask people to pray for the person who did this. It’s not right, but we can still pray for them.”
In the meantime, parishioners have been placing flowers at the base of the damaged statue.
Detectives said the department’s Hate Crime Unit is investigating and searching for the person responsible.
