SETON SHOP Offers Wide Selection of Catholic Goods to Parish and Local Community

When our church was built in 1993, it was only a short time before the pastor at that time, Fr. Fred, discerned the need to open a shop so area Catholics could buy religious items. Other than our own little Seton Shop, the closest physical Catholic store is in St. Augustine.

Sue Shierling has worked in the shop for 18 years and has served as the shop manager for about 10 years.

“I call the shop my ‘home’ — it is where I find peace,” Sue says. “When I was young, I wanted to be a librarian. Then I decided that I wanted to own a bookstore. Well, this is my bookstore! I meet so many special people and I love getting to visit with them and help them find special gifts or items for their own use.”

The shop is filled with various Catholic goods — from statues and art to books and pamphlets. It offers Christmas items, rosaries, and cyclical publications such as the Magnificat and Living Faith . The shop also stocks a selection of items for sacramental gifts such as Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

“There are only so many items that I can keep in stock, so I am happy to share my catalogs with customers so they can order things that I may not have,” Sue says.

Some of the bestselling items in the shop include prayer cards, statues, inexpensive rosaries, and Bibles.

The COVID pandemic was very hard on the shop. With the suspension of Masses and the church being closed, the shop was not open to those who wanted to buy Catholic items.

“That was the only year that we were unable to give a check to the church,” Sue says. “We provide a source of income to support the church and it is wonderful to be able to do that. But COVID was a bad year for us and we didn’t make anything to give them.”

Thankfully, the years since have been successful for the little shop.

“People want beautiful religious things to inspire them,” Sue says. “The Catholic community appreciates knowing that we have a store here and that I am also happy to order for them. Many people don’t like to order these items online, so it is nice that we are able to provide a physical store for them to shop at.”

The shop is currently run by Sue and two others, which makes it possible for the shop to be open during its current hours, but they hope to open on Fridays in 2023. Those who would like to serve as substitutes or to help in other aspects of running the shop are always welcome.

“I am 80 years old — moving the stock around can be hard for me,” Sue says. “So having volunteers to help is always appreciated. In fact, any type of help is appreciated. If you want to come in and help us, I will find a place for you

Make sure to stop by and check the shop for any religious gifts or items you may need in this new year — you may choose from a wide selection of goods or order anything that you may need. The proceeds support the church and our parish community.

Current Seton Shop hours: After all weekend Masses

Tuesdays after 8:30 a.m. Mass

Thursdays after 8:30 a.m. Mass

(Back row, from left) Elena Smalley, Donna Siracusa, Sue Shierling, Rosemarie Passaro, Linda Pouliot, Marie Seeley, Vera Hancock; (front) Ann Pallan; (not pictured — Margaret Brown, Kathy Garonski)