CathInfo.com

I sincerely hate seeing you part with these holy things. I hate New Jersey so bad, and I know NJ just had that natural disaster last winter which is sucking up resources, but have you tried to see if any parishes can do ANYTHING for you immediately? I'd hit up that conciliar Catholic Charities because, why not, we've all given them enough of our money in some fashion. Even ...yes, I hate to say it, but try that polish place that should be near you, St. Mary of Ostrabrama (I keep thinking "East Obama" when I say that in my head). At least they have a fixed altar, and they brag about helping families in need — take them your bills.

I'd far sooner you keep your things that God allowed to come to you, and have one of us (you!) get back what our families gave those guitar-playing hippies in good faith. Muss up your hair, have baby pictures to show them, then give those people your bills. If you attend St. Mary the Virgin or someplace they wouldn't like, just suggest (don't lie!) that "it's been impossible to attend Mass regularly at Ostrabrama." That is TRUTH, too! Otherwise, say little; shove your bills at them and let them assume what they will. (I just looked at the Cat. Charities site ...seems like if you can slip in the word, "disenfranchised", that should be worth a few months of home payments and some food. I'm not sure it would be a lie to suggest you don't have "your papers", since they're very fond of immigrants. You can mean newspapers, and let them hear immigration stuff if they so choose.)

I'm not sure what your field is (I'm guessing teaching), but maybe God wants you to plan a move, or a career change, or both. Until then, hit the food pantries, the churches, and get your family fed. I will pray for you, both to keep your holy items, and to get those bills paid.