By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
Long before the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the tradition of gift-giving began at the humble manger, when the three Wise Men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, recognizing him as the Son of God.
Today, in the spirit of the Wise Men, we extend our love and gratitude to family and friends through the exchange of Christmas gifts. As shoppers discern gift-giving this season, consider options that nurture a closer relationship with Christ. The diocese is home to an array of faith-filled gift ideas and Catholic-oriented shops.
Gloria Deo Catholic Books and Gifts
Since 1993, Gloria Deo has helped Catholics in knowing, loving, celebrating, and defending the faith. Gloria Deo operates retail stores in Lincoln and Omaha, featuring a broad range of books, home decor, statues, clothing, cards, and gifts suitable for everyone. The store’s offerings include books, toys, and games for children as well as seasonal gifts, religious items, and locally made products. A gift certificate to Gloria Deo is an excellent choice for teachers, parish staff, and priests. Visit the store at 1265 South Cotner Blvd., Ste. 29 in Lincoln or browse online at www.gloriadeo.com.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House
Give the gift of rest and rejuvenation to a loved one. A gift certificate for a retreat makes a thoughtful gift for anyone longing for or in need of a deeper encounter with God or simply a rest from the hustle and bustle. The retreat house offers private, peaceful accomodations and a wide variety of retreat themes and formats to meet anyone’s needs.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House also has a gift shop on site. Shop online at https://goodcounselretreat.org/shop.
Pelican Printery House
Artist and founder Elizabeth Lemme of Pelican Printery House in Lincoln utilizes mediums such as Japanese Sumi Inks, watercolors, gouache, homemade egg tempera, and gold leaf to create original Advent and Christmas cards. An accomplished artist, Lemme’s commissioned work is often featured in the Liturgical Arts Journal. The shop includes calligraphed traditional Catholic Christmas cards featuring the St. Andrew Novena, medieval Christmas poems, and Gregorian chant Christmas music.
Additionally, Pelican Printery House offers rosaries, handcrafted by Lemme, following a 3rd Century tradition of knotted prayer ropes. Shop online at www.etsy.com/shop/PelicanPrinteryHouse.
The Pillar Subscription
The Pillar, led by JD Flynn, a former advisor to Bishop James Conley, offers insightful journalism from a Catholic perspective. The Pillar’s focus is on investigating stories that matter and can help the Church to better serve its sacred mission, the salvation of souls. Subscriptions include newsletters, analyses, and a weekly podcast. Subscribe at www.pillarcatholic.com.
Saint Clare and Francis
Founded by Clare Bauman when she was a sophomore at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Saint Clare and Francis aims to bring others closer to the heart of Christ with stylish, saintly stickers. With over 9,000 of her best-selling Catholic stickers sold in the United States and internationally, the brand is designed with aspiring saints in mind. The durable Catholic vinyl stickers are perfect for water bottles, laptops, phone cases, prayer journals, or car windows, lasting three to five years. The Saint Clare and Francis product line has expanded to include Catholic t-shirts and wooden and macrame keychains. Visit www.saintclareandfrancis.com and use the code SNR10 for a 10% discount.
Emmaus Institute Course
Give yourself the gift of deepening your knowledge of sacred Scripture. Join the “Hearing the Word: Understanding the Bible” course taught by Dr. Vern Steiner this January at the Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies. This five-week study builds on “Opening the Word: Catholics and the Bible” and delves into understanding the Bible, moving from theory to practice and from guiding principles to their application in discerning biblical texts’ meanings and messages. This practical course is ideal for those wishing to grow in their ability to study Scripture as faithful and growing Christians.
Learn more about this and other course offerings at www.emmausinstitute.net/courses.
Catholic Art and Jewelry
Sue and John Johnson, with the help of their adult children, bring joy to the faithful and evangelize with beautiful Catholic art and jewelry. Sue creates the original artwork offered in the Lincoln-based shop, including handmade medals and charms. They also offer vintage Catholic fine art prints with custom framing options, saint photo restorations, holy cards, greeting cards, and more.
“It’s really a form of evangelization, to share beautiful Catholic art with future generations,” John Johnson said. He noted the shop’s special Christmas collection that includes prints, ornaments and two beautiful vintage Christmas holy cards that are loved by all ages.
Shop online at www.catholicartandjewelry.com and use code Register20 for 20% off.
Hallow App Subscription
With more than 10,000 prayers, meditations, and learning courses in the app for all ages, Hallow has something for everyone. Consider giving Hallow to your friends and family as an early gift to support them in prayer this Advent by purchasing a three-month or one-year (virtual) Hallow gift card.
Everyday Prayer Co.
When Brennan Costello wanted to start praying the rosary every day, he struggled.
“I wasn’t a big fan of carrying an easily tangled string of beads in my pocket,” Costello said. “I thought about a rosary that I could keep in my wallet, something I already carry with me every day. That’s when I experimented and created a wallet rosary card.”
The rosary card is a compact prayer tool made to fit in a wallet or purse. The card is both strong and light, thin metal construction, and the same size as a standard credit card. Finger holes around the outside of the card can be used to pray the rosary, with a symbol of Mother Mary featured in the center. A portion of each purchase goes to the Matt Talbot Kitchen in Lincoln.
Shop online at www.everydayprayerco.com. Use code SouthernRegister for 15% off.
CWeeda Creations
Courtney McLaughlin, seamstress and owner of CWeeda Creations in Lincoln, creates child-sized priest chasubles and stoles in reversible styles for all feast days and liturgical seasons. She also creates a popular children’s Mass play kit that makes it easy for little ones to celebrate Mass at home. The play kit is complete with a chalice, hosts, altar cloth, bells, and all the other things needed for pretend Mass. McLaughlin crafts other sewn items, including her wildly popular rosary cases in a variety of colors and styles. These and other locally made items are available at Gloria Deo.
Pink Sisters Auxiliary Membership
The Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration, have continued their prayerful presence in Lincoln since 1973. Enroll an individual or family into Auxiliary Membership to support the Pink Sisters and be included in their prayers. Members benefit from daily Mass remembrances and four solemn Novenas yearly.
To enroll someone, mail the recipient’s name and address to the Pink Sisters at 1040 S. Cotner Blvd., Lincoln NE 68510, with a donation of $10 per individual or $20 per household.
Give the gift of a Mass
Consider giving the greatest spiritual gift a person could receive. The celebration of Mass, the “source and summit” of Catholic faith, is one of humanity’s greatest gifts from God. Request Masses for particular intentions, with a small stipend usually paid to the parish or religious community. Offering a Mass for someone’s intentions is a custom many follow, especially during Christmas. If you’re seeking a meaningful gift, arranging a Mass at your local parish for someone’s intentions is a spiritually fruitful choice.
