Mairangi Combined Probus Club

The sidesman at church was responsible for counting the offerings and the priest was annoyed because there seemed to be far less in the offering than was indicated by the number of people in the congregation so the priest asked the sidesman if he had been taking money and the sidesman said, "No."

The priest said. "Are you sure you have not been taking the money?" and the sidesman said, "No, definitely not," so the priest accepted it.

The next Sunday when the offerings had been counted by the sidesman, again the amount seemed very low to the priest considering the size of the congregation, so he said to the sidesman, “Have you been taking money out of the offerings?” and the sidesman said, “No” and the priest said, “Are you sure?” and he said, “I am sure I have not been taking any money out.” “Will you promise me that you have not been taking money out of the offerings?” insisted the priest and the sidesman said, “I have not been taking money out of the offering.”

The priest said. “Look I don’t doubt you, but I think it would be a good idea if we go into the church and go into the confessional and you confess.” So they went into the confessional and the priest asked the sidesman, “Have you been taking money out of the offerings?” and the sidesman said, “Sorry, I cannot hear you,” so the priest said a little louder, “Have you been taking money out of the offerings?” and the sidesman said, “I cannot hear you.” and the priest shouted, “Have you been taking money out of the offerings?” and the man replied, “I cannot hear you.”

So in exasperation the priest said a bit concerned, “Let us exchange places and you can ask me a question.” So they exchanged places and the sidesman said to the priest, “Have you been having an affair with my wife?” and the priest said, “You were right, I cannot hear you”.