Church ceiling collapses days before Easter services

It's Holy Week for Christians around the world, but in Passaic, New Jersey, clergy and parishioners are trying their best to keep up good spirits.

On Thursday night the ceiling of Saint Anthony Catholic Church came crashing down. Fortunately, with no one inside.

Despite the sad turn of events and the cancellation of services Thursday, Father Edgar Rivera says more people came out for their annual Good Friday procession than the church has seen in a long time. 

The town's mayor tells us maybe this ordeal was a blessing in disguise.

"It was probably going to happen at one time or another. good thing it didn't happen when people were there and now we can address the issues as a building that's been around for over 100 years. that's where I had my first communion,” Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said.

The church is waiting for an estimate from their insurance company and until then they'll be putting all their focus on celebrating Easter with their congregants. They'll be using a building across the street as a temporary place to hold their services. You can donate to the church by going to their website - stanthonypassaic.org.