“We know what happened to the myrrh and the frankincense — Mary used them as a sort of potpourri. They were in a barn after all. But who was the culprit who made off with the gold coins and left Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in that lousy stable without any chance to upgrade to a suite?”

This is the question Sister will ponder on in a new Late Night Catechism show at the Opera House, “The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold.”

After a sold-out run at the Opera House last summer “Sister” returns this week for nine performances of the new show, written by Marypat Donovan. As with the original Late Night Catechism, takes place in a typical Catholic schoolroom with the audience as students. Consider it CSI Bethlehem as she discovers just what happened to the Magi’s gift.

The evening also includes musical highlights by the Napa Valley Opera House Usher Chorus and intermission dessert provided by Alexis Baking Company.

Late Nite Catechism is an award winning comedy that has played in theaters, parishes, hospitals and various fundraisers across the United States and Europe since it was introduced in 1993. Reviewing it for the Register during its run last June Michael Waterson wrote, “This catechism is undoubtedly the funniest you ever had or will have. And the thing that makes it so funny is it’s all true.”

In addition to reviving memories of Catholic classrooms of the past, the show also raises funds for retired religious sisters. according to the Web site, funnynun.com, Donovan, the author and original performer, found out “that when Social Security was implemented in the United States, the Catholic Church opted out for religious sisters” with the result that many U.S. convents “have had to go on welfare to care for their elderly and infirm.” To date, the show has raised more than $2 million for retired sisters.

 Performances of “The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” take place in the Opera House Cafe Theatre on Dec. 12, 13 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19 through 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. 

‘The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold’

Dec. 12-16, and Dec. 19-22, 7:30 p.m.

Additional matinee Dec. 16, 2 p.m.

Tickets: $35.