Since opening in July 2025, the St Thomas Aquinas Springwood parish gift shop has quickly become more than simply a place to purchase religious items, it has become a welcoming space where faith, prayer, and community come together.
Established to make devotional items more accessible, the initiative was inspired by a desire to help parishioners bring their faith more intentionally into everyday life.
Parish Administrator Fr Jack Elkazzi said the vision behind the shop was to provide resources that support prayer, faith formation and engagement with the liturgical seasons.
“The stall provides simple but meaningful tools – such as rosaries, crosses and sacred images – that help people pray more deeply both at home and in daily life,” he said.
At the heart of the gift shop is the rich Catholic tradition of sacramentals. Items such as rosaries, crucifixes and holy images are more than decorative pieces.
The gift shop sells a wide variety of sacramental and devotional items. Image: Supplied
“Sacramentals remind us of God’s presence and draw our hearts toward prayer,” Fr Jack said.
“They help us remain mindful of Christ and the saints throughout the day.”
A Growing Ministry of Prayer and Devotion
Managed by Parish Secretary Minnie Harb, alongside Maria De Leon, the gift shop has quickly become a welcoming space within the parish.
The shop offers a wide range of devotional and gift items, including handmade rosaries, prayer books, Bibles, holy cards, medals, statues, candles, religious artwork, Catholic apparel, blankets, cushions, and gifts for sacramental occasions.
“The idea grew out of conversations within the parish about how we could better support people in their faith outside of Mass,” Minnie said.
“Many parishioners were looking for rosaries, prayer books, and small religious gifts, especially for sacramental occasions.”
The gift shop is very popular with parishioners. Image: Supplied
Some of the shop’s items are sourced from Catholic small businesses and include unique pieces available exclusively through the parish.
The response from parishioners has been overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating both the quality and accessibility of the items available.
Bringing prayer into the home
Parishioner Karen Sukkar shared how the gift shop helped her find meaningful gifts for her family while also strengthening faith within the home.
“I first visited the parish giftshop to support our community while looking for Christmas gifts for my husband and kids,” Karen said.
“I ended up finding excellent quality Catholic T-shirts for them and a beautiful Holy Family cushion for our lounge room.”
She reflected on the impact these items now have on her family’s daily life.
“Having the Holy Family cushion on my lounge is a visual reminder to pray,” she said.
“It adds a religious touch that keeps the room cozy while turning hearts to the Holy Family.”
Karen also spoke about the significance of the Catholic apparel. “In a secular world, they provide a visible, bold declaration of faith that they are proud of,” she said.
Sacramentals that inspire everyday faith
Another parishioner, Maryjka Kelly, described how the shop’s wide range of sacramentals immediately stood out to her.
“The parish giftshop was new and I wanted to have a look,” she said.
“I purchased several small St Benedict’s crucifixes. I have since bought several more larger St Benedict’s crucifixes as well as wall crucifixes for myself and extended family.”
Parish Administrator Fr Jack Elkazzi during Mass at Springwood. Image: Supplied
She also purchased books for her grandchildren to help teach them the faith, along with Holy Water bottles for the home.
“These sacramentals are visual reminders that assist me in my prayers, particularly the Rosary,” Maryjka said.
“The St Benedict’s Crucifix and Rosary in my pocket are a visual reminder to say a mental prayer.”
Maryjka praised both the quality and variety of items available through the shop. “Our parish giftshop rivals any parish giftshop I have seen in my lifetime,” she said.
“What stands out is the quality and variety of items that are available.”
Building community through faith
Beyond providing devotional items, the gift shop has also become a gathering place for parishioners after Mass, creating opportunities for conversation, encouragement, and shared faith.
Karen believes the shop serves both a spiritual and communal purpose.
“A parish giftshop is vital because it provides both financial support for the parish while offering easy access to faith-based materials that foster a vibrant sacramental life,” she said.
Looking ahead, Fr Jack hopes the gift shop will continue to inspire prayer in homes and nurture faith across generations.
“My hope is that it becomes a simple but effective way of strengthening faith in our parish community,” he said.
In a busy world, the St Thomas Aquinas Springwood parish gift shop stands as a gentle reminder that faith can be lived not only in church, but in the everyday moments of life – through prayer, through symbols, and through the quiet presence of God in the home.
The shop is open Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm and Sundays from 9am to 11:30am.
This ministry is an example of the Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer and Mission. Please visit Synodality to learn more.
