Parishioners say they're still devastated after a cross was stolen from the top of the St. Mary Mother of Jesus Church's tabernacle.

"Someone came in and went to the tabernacle, unscrewed [the cross] and walked off," said Monsignor Andrew Vaccari.

Police say the incident occurred Aug. 8, when an unidentified person removed the cross from the church without permission. It's been missing ever since.

"It's the most important part of our church," said Marie DiGenova, a volunteer at the Catholic school next door. "It's very upsetting someone would take something from it."

Monsignor Vaccari noted the church has many crosses, but the 6-inch cross cut a little deeper because it was part of the very heartbeat of faith.

“The church draws her life from the Eucharist," he said. "Within the holiness of the church, there is a place especially sacred—the blessed sacrament, the Eucharist in the tabernacle.”

The cross is valued at about $250, according to the police.

The church says it’s looking for a replacement.