Discover a unique selection of religious items at All Saints Gift Shop in Waterbury.
Story by Karen A. Avitabile
A gift shop at a Waterbury parish is selling an assortment of merchandise that is nostalgic to its parishioners and their homelands.
“We are helping our parishioners purchase religious items that they may remember from their native countries and religious upbringing,” says Maria Smith, manager of All Saints Gift Shop, located on the campus of the Shrine of St. Anne Church.
The gift shop, which is part of All Saints – Todos los Santos Parish, opened in March in the former parish office, a space dedicated to Blessed Michael McGivney.
The gift shop sells a little bit of everything at moderate prices and caters to people of all ages. “Our goal is to make a little money for the parish,” Smith says. “If they really want something, we try to get it for them. We try to keep different styles and colors.”
Much of the shop’s inventory is ordered from companies in Florida and Puerto Rico, Smith says. Beautifully inspired religious-themed item include prayer books, crucifixes, tote bags, greeting cards, holy water and fonts, keychains, candles, holy medals, posters of saints, picture frames, mugs, rosary beads, bracelets and mantillas — scarves worn over the head by women who have a devotion to the Mary.
Journals feature Jesus Christ, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Michael, Divine Mercy and the Blessed Mother. Bibles in English, Spanish and in large print — for children and adults — are regularly requested items.
For baptisms, sweaters, crib medals of the Guardian Angel, cards and embroidered handkerchiefs are available. For First Holy Communion, merchandise includes cards, rosary beads, prayer books and homemade veils made by parishioner Antonia Ferrucci. There are also special gifts for Confirmations and quinceañera celebrations.
During the wedding season, the shop sells el lazos – ropes of flowers and rosary beads that wrap around a couple’s shoulders while a priest blesses their union — and packages of traditional arras coins that are exchanged during a wedding ceremony.
Oftentimes, parishioners donate items to the gift shop from their native homelands including Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Portugal and Puerto Rico, Smith says.
Father Diego A. Jimenez, pastor of All Saints – Todos los Santos Parish, blessed the space and the merchandise when the shop opened. Even today, the parish priests are happy to bless items after purchase.
The entrance to All Saints Gift Shop can be accessed from the parking lot at the rear of the Shrine of St. Anne Church, located at 515 South Main St. The gift shop, on the second floor, is open on Saturdays, after the 6 p.m. Vigil Mass, and on Sundays, following the 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses. The gift shop is also open by special appointment by contacting Maria Smith at the Shrine of St. Anne Church, 203.756.4439, or by email, marialnsmith@gmail.com. Cash and credit is accepted. Volunteers who would like to help run the gift shop can call Smith.
(Nuestra Tienda de regalos está abierta los sábados y domingos después de todas las misas. Visítanos para todas tus necesidades o artículos religiosos. Entrada ubicada en la parte trasera de la iglesia en el estacionamiento del segundo nivel.)
