PEABODY — St. Ann’s Parish of South Peabody is currently hoping for the return of a statue of St. Mary, which was stolen.
Neighbors notified the church that the Statue of Mary was missing from its usual spot, located at the corner of Lynn Street and Aberdeen Avenue.
According to parishioner and Parish Finance Committee member Richard D’Ambrosio, a group of neighbors and parishioners had “generously created, enhanced, and maintained” the “Peace and Kindness Flower Garden” since 2022. The statue was an additional installation and was donated by another parishioner more than two years ago.
Flowers and rose bushes continue to be donated and planted in the flower garden around St. Ann’s main parking lot to beautify the area, according to D’Ambrosio.
After the statue was stolen, the Peabody Police Department was immediately notified and is actively investigating.
Neighbors have started a local fundraising effort to replace the statue. Currently, they have raised $900 in cash, and additional donations have been pledged. D’Ambrosio noted that the “neighborhood’s self-initiated, grass-roots fundraising moment is amazing.”
It was noted that St. Ann’s is not actively soliciting a fundraiser at this time. The parish hopes that the statue will be put back in its rightful place.
