: 1235079061

Queens’ catholic schools were praying for relief last week after a group of burglars continued a two-month robbery spree throughout the borough.

The robbers struck again last Tuesday, breaking into Our Lady of Lourdes School in Queens Village and the Holy Family School in Fresh Meadows and tearing apart administrative offices looking for loose cash. Police believe the group is responsible for 10 catholic school burglaries since late November, including seven in Queens and three in Brooklyn.

Our Lady of Grace Parochial School in Howard Beach was robbed twice, but the Rev. Anthony M. Rucando, the school’s pastor, was more perplexed than angry.

“They were looking for fast cash and it wasn’t here,” Rucando said. “It’s sort of a reverse compliment; they must think this is a great place – and it is, but not because there’s lots of money hanging around. There’s nothing here to take. It was petty cash.”

He said the robbers came in through an unlatched window during the most recent break-in on Jan. 15. Once inside the robbers scoured the school, he said, breaking down doors and destroying offices in search of money.

“These are not brain surgeons. They came with crowbars, so there’s more damage done as a result of their frustration in finding nothing than the stuff taken,” Rucando said.

School officials believe the robberies coincided with school fundraisers – two bake sales were held the same day as the break-ins.

“I don’t know what people think a bake sale generates – but if they think thousands of dollars they’ve got the wrong place,” Rucando said. “A bake sale gets maybe $75, but they don’t know that.”

The school is now considering adding security cameras, a costly investment at a time when many Catholic schools are struggling with declining enrollment.

“You have to live in a world where Original Sin is alive and well,” Rucando conceded. “We’re challenged to say: how do you protect what you love?”

Rucando said the school was examining all options, but securing the public building frequented by various community groups throughout the day is a challenge.

“These people come with lock cutters, so locks aren’t going to do very good,” Rucando said. “What do we do, put a pit-bull in the school at night?”

The robbers forced their way into all of the schools late at night through windows or doors, according to police. In each case, the robbers sought only cash.

Anyone with information can call Crime stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. You can also text tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.