Catholic officials are putting a priest back to church work while he remains on probation for stealing $125,000 from his last Omaha parish.

On February 16th, the Reverend Stephen Gutgsell admitted in court that he'd stolen the money from St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he had been serving as pastor since 2001, saying he was a compulsive spender.

Gutgsell pleaded guilty to felony theft by deception and in April was given five years' probation and told to pay back $40,000.

Gutgsell's lawyer says he's paid nearly $14,000 toward that, thanks in large part to donations from the priest's friends, family and former parishioners.

Gutgsell is to begin work Thursday as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and will live in the rectory.