Returning from a graveside funeral ceremony on Saturday, July 25 Father Jerome Pastores parked his vehicle outside of the rectory and began unloading his ‘mass kit’ which includes sacred and consecrated items used in funeral ceremonies. After unloading an item, he returned to his vehicle to unload a special satchel of items including a chalice and a ‘pic’ which is a container of blessed and consecrated ‘hosts’ only to notice the vehicle was no longer there.

St. Regis Mission liaison Dolly McDonald stated, “The Saint Regis Mohawk Church community is horrified and saddened at this. We are grateful at the quick response of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police. They were able to recover the vehicle within the hour, but unfortunately, the ‘pic’ was not recovered”

Father Pastores vehicle was recovered submerged on Kawehno:ke Island at the east end. His wallet and passport were later recovered on McGee Road, but he is very disturbed over not being able to recover the container of sacred hosts and chalice.

Father Pastores’ vehicle is considered a total loss. Church community members immediately offered Pastores the use of their vehicles and any other assistance he may need.