ANTIOCH, Calif. -- While Father Robert was busy preparing his church for Ash Wednesday—a Christian holiday typically observed by fasting and repentance—thieves were quietly breaking into his residence and robbing him of his most sacred belongings.

Father Robert says he’s not sure if he’ll ever see his stolen items again, but he hopes and prays to find at least one of them: a silver chalice he received at his ordainment in 1974.

Church work kept him busy on the morning of February fifth until around noon, when he returned home and immediately sensed something strangle had occurred.

“When I got to the house, the moment the garage door went up, I knew something was wrong,” he said. “The house was completely in disarray.”

The thieves were methodical. Father Robert says they packed up his belongings into his pillow cases, stuffing them with cash, his checkbook, savings book, passport and credit cards.

But it was the irreplaceable items of great sentimental value that Father Roberts will miss the most. The chalice had been sent from his family in Norway and was made by a San Francisco artisan.

The thieves also took his late parents’ wedding rings.

“I had a whole series of emotions,” he said. “It was very, very difficult—almost unreal—as I stood in the middle of my belongings. I’ve never had anything like this happen before.”

Sgt. Tammany Brooks of the Antioch Police Department said that measures are being taken to try to recover some of the items.

“We have notified all the second hand dealers,” she said. “Pawn shops or anyone who sells second hand items are going to contact us.”

Meanwhile, parishioners have come together in support of Father Robert, raising more than $1200 in reward money. Some are even going to flea markets to try to recover the items.

“We know how much it means to him,” said parishioner Susan Batterton.

For now, the box which held the chalice remains empty, filled instead with prayers and the hope that whoever took it has a change of heart.

“I would ask them to please somehow find it in their heart to bring this very beautiful chalice back,” said Father Roberts. “The sacred object means so much.”

Parishioners say they don't care if it's money or conscience that brings the chalice back.

They just want to see it back in Father Roberts hands.