12
November 19, 2021
THE U.P. CATHOLIC GIFT GUIDE
www.upcatholic.org
Bishop Garland, Blessings on your 90th birthday!
- From Fr. Frank Ricca, Fr. Peter Fosu, Fr. Jim Williams, Dcn. Tom McClelland and the Parishioners of
Ste. Anne, Immaculate Conception & St. Ignatius Loyola Parishes
Have photos of parish or school events? Send to:
news@dioceseofmarquette.org
Sacred Heart Religious Goods marks 30 years in business
HATTIE HANOLD
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
What started offwith one bookshelf full of materials and a sense of mission has grown into the store, and ministry of Sacred Heart Religious Goods. Located in Marquette, owners Cliff and Shirley Fitzpatrick are celebrating 30 years of the store being in business - something they both attest, in jest, they didn't see coming. We had never owned a store, Shirley explained. And she made me do it! Cliffjoked. Shirley originally thought of the idea of opening a Cath- olic bookstore when the couple realized there was a lack of Catholic items and supplies in the community. Everything fell into place, Shirley continued, finding a place, getting a loan, having help, and it seemed as though ev- erything was coming along smoothly. As opening day approached in October 1991, however, one major problem stood in their way - a lack of in- ventory. Due to a shipping issue the Fitzpatrick's only had one bookshelf of merchandise available on their first day. I remember the looks on the faces of Mon- signor Cappo and Father [Alexander] Sample when they came to bless the store, said Shirley. I think they wondered if we knew what we were getting into! While a humble beginning and a handful of hurdles marked the business's start, the couple had faith that the Lord would put the people and the help they needed to succeed in their path. The store was blessed by Monsignor Cappo and then-Father Alexander Sample, now-Archbishop of Portland. Most of the furniture and shelving in the store was either donated or made by Cliff, and Shirley assisted with the touch-ups and varnishing of various items. Cliffeven sold his Harley Davidson motorcycle to contribute to the store's success. The Fitzpatrick's truly went all in for the store's start up, putting in everything they had financial- ly. Truly a labor of love, Cliffsaid they knew that if the Lord wanted it, how can you not do it? Through the first years, the Fitzpatrick's shared that they hardly ever had a weekend at home. Our motto is 'go where we're asked!' said Shirley. The couple would put on book fairs across the entire Upper Peninsula, visiting parishes to spread the word about their business and sell merchandise to Catholics throughout the diocese. Priests in the communities they visit- ed would put them up for the weekend, so they didn't have to pay for a hotel, Cliffexplained. The Fitzpatrick's have also never taken home a paycheck from their business. Neither of us are hard-nosed, 'wanna make a buck.' We just wanted the store to cover itself, Shirley explained. At the store's inception, Cliff took a leap of faith and left his job working at the prison to handle the business full-time, and the couple paid their bills from Shirley's employ- ment. We did everything on the cheap, Shirley continued, and that was the main way we were able to stay on our feet long enough to get estab- lished. Like many businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sacred Heart Religious Goods was not immune to financial uncertainty. The response of their customers, however, was a profoundly surprising blessing. Many regular customers bought gift cards periodically to be used once the economy re-opened, and others gave generous donations to keep the business running. The Fitz- patrick's also were extended a grace period for the building's rent, helping them to keep afloat during the trying time. Reminiscing on the past 30 years, Cliffshared that one of the most special moments running the store was when his mother was able to visit the store before her passing. She was in seventh heaven here, he said. She loved it here, said Shirley, she called it her mission and sent money to support the store often. One of the most rewarding aspects of the business, attests Cliff, is the relationships that grow between them and the customers. Seeing the young people who come in the store on fire for their faith is also incredibly encouraging, Cliff explained. The kids involved with campus minis- try, the FOCUS missionaries that stop in, Totus Tuus kids, seminarians coming in, it gives hope. There's been many people who Cliffhas guided over the years, shared his wife. There are people who aren't ready to go to Church yet, and they come in here first. And he's really been able to help guide people back to the faith. After 30 years in business, the Fitzpatrick's are still going strong. God said you can't retire yet! Shirley said, laughing. The couple shared that unless someone is willing to take on the store and continue the mission, they will continue to serve the community as long as the Holy Spirit calls them to. The Lord will keep us going, said Cliff. Sacred Heart Religious Goods is located at 419 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855. Find them online at www.facebook.com/sacred- heartreligiousgoods.
HATTIE HANOLD THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Owners of Sacred Heart Religious Goods in Marquette, Shirley and Cliff Fitzpatrick, recreate a photo they took 30 years ago at their store's grand opening in Oct. 1991. On their opening day, all the merchandise they had fit on the shelf, pictured left.
Previous Page