A Catholic priest in Rockland County will have to serve five years probation after being charged with stealing from his own parish to pay off his gambling debts.

An investigation by the archdiocese last spring revealed that Rev. Thomas Kreiser, the former pastor at St. Gregory's Church, allegedly racked up more than $25,000 on the church's American Express card from March until June of 2010.

Kreiser has been in a rehabilitation facility battling his gambling addiction for the past year. He told News 12 Hudson Valley he's thankful for the people in his life who have been by his side, including the archdiocese.

Priest charged with stealing thousands from his former parish Former Garnerville priest accused of stealing $25,000