Gift Shop in Church?

[Catholic90]

Our parish as a HUGE yard sale every summer. Everyone looks forward to it for many reasons. The first is that it is a place where parishioners can take their extra “stuff” from clothes to housewares to furniture to toys, bikes, skates, etc. The second is it is a great place to purchase all the above items for very cheap. The third is that all monies raised goes to our local prolife organization, and the fourth is that any leftover “stuff” goes to local thrift stores so they can sell it and make money. Also, it is a great way for confirmation candidates to earn service hours, as they can help collect, sort, and sell stuff.

 

[Joannm]

We have a gift shop in the basement of our church and it makes it easier for people to buy religious goods so they don’t have to drive long distances. All the proceeds go to parish social ministry,

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Actually, I found ByzCath’s post pretty hurtful, because I thought this was a standard interpretation, not just my own (I have heard others say this too), and he made no effort to explain his position. I am very grateful for the charitable responses GeorgiiMichael, jmcrae, and a few others because they took the time to gently explain the issue to me without throwing cheap shots at the silly Protestant.

I was not trying to start an argument, and I’m sorry that it seemed like I was. I was just asking for advice about something that genuinely concerned me.

Yes I can see that, but I thought that GorgiiMichael and jmcrae and others were expressing the common knowledge of gift shops in Churches.

I apologize for not including the information that was given in my post.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

My fiance and I thought we found a Catholic parish we really liked and were planning to visit, but we recently found out they have a gift shop in the church! This really bothers us, because Jesus made it clear when he cleansed the temple in Jerusalem that he was opposed to people doing business in the temple.

We’ve always been vocal opponents of the annual yard sale at our Protestant church because of this story, but a gift shop is even worse! We are very uncomfortable with the idea of attending this parish now, which is a shame because it seems so vibrant and welcoming. Do you agree that this is unbiblical, or are we interpreting this passage incorrectly?

I think you are interpreting the passage incorrectly. Jesus’ point was that they were doing business literally in the temple, while Nooks are in a completely separate room, away from the church. There is nothing wrong with this, as it provides good Religious books, prayer books, Rosaries, Bibles, statues, pictures, etc.

If you would like a better answer, message Father Vincent Serpa, whom always answers private messages.

 

[anp1215]

Actually, I found ByzCath’s post pretty hurtful, because I thought this was a standard interpretation, not just my own (I have heard others say this too), and he made no effort to explain his position. I am very grateful for the charitable responses GeorgiiMichael, jmcrae, and a few others because they took the time to gently explain the issue to me without throwing cheap shots at the silly Protestant.

I was not trying to start an argument, and I’m sorry that it seemed like I was. I was just asking for advice about something that genuinely concerned me.

I thought it was too. It bothers me when a Protestant (especially one who is investigating the RCC) comes on here, asks an honest question, and instead of receiving a charitable, welcoming answer on the Church’s teaching, they receive a terse, single sentence that (to me) appears pretty condescending.

 

[FAB]

My fiance and I thought we found a Catholic parish we really liked and were planning to visit, but we recently found out they have a gift shop in the church! This really bothers us, because Jesus made it clear when he cleansed the temple in Jerusalem that he was opposed to people doing business in the temple.

We’ve always been vocal opponents of the annual yard sale at our Protestant church because of this story, but a gift shop is even worse! We are very uncomfortable with the idea of attending this parish now, which is a shame because it seems so vibrant and welcoming. Do you agree that this is unbiblical, or are we interpreting this passage incorrectly?

Many church’s have areas that are religious goods stores. they are there as a convience for the parishers who may not have access to get relious goods. I live in a large city and there are three stand alone Cahtolic supply stores that seel to the public. THey are however not always conviennce to get to. Our little store has gifts available that can be fiven for most sacraments and other occations. There is very liitle profit that goes back to the church.
This is not the same as the money changers in the temple who where using God’s house for their own profit.
I did have on this past Palm Sunday a group outside the parish selling palsm. They set up shop without permision on the front sidewalk of the Church. This as opposed to a church shop, was the same as the money changers, using a highly attended Sunday to seel goods, there were unceramonially sent packing.

 

[Mrs_V]

Our parish used to have a little gift ‘nook’. I liked to buy things from there that we needed, even if they cost a little more (hardly the case, but…), just as another way to help support our parish. But we are blessed to have several Catholic book stores in our area so I guess when we had our recent remodel the didn’t see the need to keep it.

 

[RomyMalk]

I thought it was too. It bothers me when a Protestant (especially one who is investigating the RCC) comes on here, asks an honest question, and instead of receiving a charitable, welcoming answer on the Church’s teaching, they receive a terse, single sentence that (to me) appears pretty condescending.

But they are outnumbered by kind people like you who make up for it.

I really do appreciate the charitable replies and I now see how wrong I was. Still having trouble convincing the fiance, though. Hopefully he’ll come around soon. I want us to both be comfortable in whatever parish we attend.

 

[anp1215]

But they are outnumbered by kind people like you who make up for it.

I really do appreciate the charitable replies and I now see how wrong I was. Still having trouble convincing the fiance, though. Hopefully he’ll come around soon. I want us to both be comfortable in whatever parish we attend.

Thanks. That was a nice thing to say. After I posted this (and I was away from the computer so I couldn’t come back and leave another reply) I thought, “I’m glad there were several charitable, knowledgeable replies that answered the OP’s question.” Because really, all the other answers were very good.

 

[manualman]

Gift shop or religious items for sale?

It’s one thing to have spiritual books, rosaries, holy cards, crucfixes, etc for sale at reasonable cost, especially if they are hard to find in the area. But gift shop might be construed to include Benedict 16 bobble heads, Hummel statues and similar rubbish that has no reason for cluttering up space in the church building.

I hope its the former, not the latter.

 

[Georgia]

See where the money is going. The money changers in the Bible were quite likely doing something other than supporting the temple. If they were operating like a parish gift shop, I seriously doubt Our Lord would have had an issue. There is nothing wrong with raising money to support a parish while making it easier to find religious articles.

Here in the Southeast, Catholics have not been found in significant numbers until fairly recently. It is really hard to find those items that most certainly won’t be stocked in the local stores. If it makes that merchandise easier to purchase while taking some burden off the offering plate, everyone wins.

 

[rebecca123]

Our parish also has a gift shop, I think it’s one thing to sell religious items in the church .

But I do feel real disheartened lately, when I see from the bulletin that our two parish priests are going on an expensive cruise to the bahamas, they are inviting parishoners to go with them, but it is very expensive for one week and certainly nothing that an average working person could afford.

I can barley meet my needs and have to believe that there are others in my situation in the church. It is a tough economy right now.

I’m not against the preists having some vacation or relaxing time, but do think it’s not good to advertise this cruise in the church bulletin unless everyone can go. I’m thinking of checking out other nearby churches.

Not to mention there are many many appeals for money, but very few parish activities that are free.

 

[Dorothy]

The money-changers in the temple were selling things like pigeons to be used in offerings.

Our Lord also said, (with regard to the moneychangers) “…but you have made it a den of thieves”.
It sounds like they were overcharging for their own benefit. Parish religious shops are run by volunteers, and the church gets the much needed financial profit.

There are no Catholic shops where I live. We either buy our Bibles, and spiritual books, medals, etc. on line, or in a small area in the Church foyer to accommodate parishioners.

In another instance, the Ladies Society puts on a craft and white elephant sale in October. Everything is donated. The profits from this buys something needed such as: altar linens, priest vestments, etc.

 

[Dorothy]

Our parish also has a gift shop, I think it’s one thing to sell religious items in the church .

But I do feel real disheartened lately, when I see from the bulletin that our two parish priests are going on an expensive cruise to the bahamas, they are inviting parishoners to go with them, but it is very expensive for one week and certainly nothing that an average working person could afford.

I can barley meet my needs and have to believe that there are others in my situation in the church. It is a tough economy right now.

I’m not against the preists having some vacation or relaxing time, but do think it’s not good to advertise this cruise in the church bulletin unless everyone can go. I’m thinking of checking out other nearby churches.

Not to mention there are many many appeals for money, but very few parish activities that are free.

Some parish priests are left money from their parents, or their trips are paid for by family members who are well off. Also, some cruises are used for Bible studies, or apologetics and have speakers.

 

[manualman]

But I do feel real disheartened lately, when I see from the bulletin that our two parish priests are going on an expensive cruise to the bahamas, …

Priests often can snag a cruise vacation for free if they agree to provide mass and chaplain services aboard. (less common today, but still true sometimes).

You may not be able to afford such a thing( and neither am I). But nobody is calling me to visit people at the hospital at 3am either… But most likely there ARE people in your parish who are well off and are taking vacations like that. Why wouldn’t the parish priest invite interested people to come along. Don’t be envious of others, that’s not what virtuous poverty is about. Poverty can be lived as a virtue only if it is embraced joyfully for the glory of God. If you are instead resentful of those who have more than you do, you’re only punishing yourself.

 

[BernadetteM]

As a former member of the Episcopal church, we had a gift shop in the basement. They sold religious articles.

These shops are there for the spiritual benefit of the parishioners.

What I have seen in the past several years is that many churches, especially mega ones have coffe shops and the members bring the coffee etc. into the worship area and consume the drinks or food during the time of worshiping.

At our parish several times a year a member will set up tables outside and sell books, tapes and religous articles that are helpful to the spiritual growth of a person. The Pastor only allows this under strict regulations.

I would rather spend my money helping our parish than go to a secular store and by religious books, including bibles etc. where it is all for profit.

Selling books etc. in a church seems to be widespread in many denominations today.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[MarkInOregon]

The money-changers in the temple were selling things like pigeons to be used in offerings.

But where did the money go? It went into their own pockets–the merchants were getting rich at the expense of the worshipers. The worshipers needed the pigeons for the offering and the merchants took advantage of it.

The gift shop in the church is not selling anything that people must have to participate in mass. It is more of a convenience for parishioners and the church is not making a mint. I am sure the markup in small. I am also guessing the gift shop is not open during mass correct? I myself would like the ability to buy the occassional gift or book more conveniently and in turn give the small profit to my parish than to a big box retail books store or amazon. The nearest Catholic book store is 20 miles. I don’t mind giving the profit to the Catholic bookstore and I try not to give it to Amazon or the big box store.

So I guess I don’t see the two situations as similar.

Peace be with you,
Mark

 

[EzraJacob]

I think the money changers story is about profiting off of faith. Profits from Catholic parish gift shops usually are to help the parish. Churches do not fund themselves.

If only noticed gift shops in churches that are home of relics and bodies of saints. Shrines. And usually the shops sell stuff to help spiritually.

It would be different if they were selling immoral things, or manipulating the prices to make big profits to put in their pockets.

 

[KCT]

I wish my parish had such a thing.

I bought a Rosary bracelet when I was in Steubenville over the summer. There were specific features I like, and I wanted another but couldn’t find what I wanted anywhere. I ended up calling the FUS bookstore to see if they had more. They did and shipped me two more.

Would have been easier to have them available at church…

 

[EzraJacob]

I wish my parish had such a thing.

I bought a Rosary bracelet when I was in Steubenville over the summer. There were specific features I like, and I wanted another but couldn’t find what I wanted anywhere. I ended up calling the FUS bookstore to see if they had more. They did and shipped me two more.

Would have been easier to have them available at church…

Isn’t there any St. Jude Shops?