What makes altar wine "genuine" altar wine?

While it may seem that wine is wine is wine, there is a key difference between regular wine you buy at your local store and genuine altar wine. The difference not only comes from the fact that it it is part of the Eucharist, but also in how it is produced and treated before it even makes it into the church.

The making of genuine altar wine begins at the vineyard.

Sacramental altar wine comes from the "free flowing juice" of the grapes. It means that the grapes are slit and the juice that comes them immediately is collected for altar wine. Then the commercial squeezers gather the rest - considered less "pure" - for commercial wine. Furthermore, sacramental altar wine must be naturally fermented with nothing added to it.

Those looking to purchase genuine sacramental altar wine should remember the unique requirements and qualities and purchase from a reputable retailer, like St. Patrick's Guild.

BONUS! Altar wine purchased at St. Patrick's Guild is not subject to the liquor tax.

Understanding and caring for your religious jewelry

Solid gold...gold filled...gold plated...oxidize...sterling...rhodium...karat...

Ever wonder what all of this means? As specialists in religious jewelry, St. Patrick's Guild can help!

We have a comprehensive webpage within our site that deals with religious jewelry types and care.

TYPES of jewelry include: Solid gold, gold filled, gold plated, sterling silver, brass, pewter and stainless steel. Our site offers advice on how to CARE for each of these.

The page also offers important jewelry DEFINITIONS such as: Karat, oxidize, tarnish and allergies to jewelry.

Finally, we included TIPS and TRICKS for religious jewelry, including how to select a chain length.

Visit the Religious Jewelry Types and Care page at: http://www.stpatricksguild.com/page.htm?PG=JewelryCare#jewelrycare

Our most popular religious jewelry can be found here: http://www.stpatricksguild.com/browse.cfm/2,386.html

The Year for Priests, St. John Vianney is Patron

The 2009 Liturgical Year has been declared the "Year for Priests" by Pope Benedict. In honor, the Pope has determined that St. John Vianney will be the Universal Patron of Priests.

Many parishes will be celebrating the Year for Priests, which began in June 2009 and will end in June 2010. We will be called to pray for and support our priests, now more than ever.

Consider a St. John Vianney gift for your priest. Although we don't currently have much online (will try to get to that), you can call in or visit the store. We have...

--Book: Thoughts of the Cure D'Ars but St. John Vianney

--CD: Celebration of your Priesthood: You are a Priest Forever

--Limited Edition St. John Vianney Pocket Token or Medal

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has additional information on the Year for Priests here:

http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/

La Patisserie and Irish Indeed joining in the Anniversary fun!

I have an exciting update for our 60th anniversary celebration coming up on October 23-26. Our neighbors at La Patisserie and Irish Indeed heard about our anniversary and want to get in on the festivities and help out Mari Plaster. They will also be offering 20% off all weekend long and giving a portion of their proceeds to Mari to help with her medical bills. This is a great opportunity to shop the entire corner off Randolph and Snelling and to save big!

In case you haven't been to La Patisserie, I highly recommend you stop by. They have the most delicious pastries and cakes that I have found anywhere in the Twin Cities. Their chocolate croissants are perfect, the carmel bars are to die for, and the petit fours are just wonderful - not to mention their scones, cakes, breads, and cookies...

Everyone should check this place out.

60th Anniversary Updates

Our 60th anniversary is less than a month away, and we are getting really excited for the celebration. It's hard to believe that St. Patrick's Guild has been open for 60 years! With 20% off all weekend long (Oct 23-26), I think this would be a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done early. Avoid the crowds and stress of shopping in December. We have a great selection of Christmas and Advent items in stock now - including beautiful Nativity sets, stocking stuffers, Advent Wreaths, and so much more! Or if it's too soon to be thinking about Christmas, come take a look at our Thanksgiving and Harvest items.

During our 60th anniversary celebration weekend, some of the proceeds from each purchase will go help our friend Mari Plaster. Mari works at our neighboring store La Patisserie, and about a year ago, she was in a terrible accident. After a quiet dinner with family and friends to celebrate her birthday, a man on a high speed chase from the police ran his car into her. The damage was terrible, and she had a get one leg amputated as a result. After undergoing numerous surgeries, with more still to come, her medical costs are too much for her to handle. We want to take this opportunity to help out Mari in any way we can. To read more about Mari and the accident, you can check out this story from the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/27701614.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1PciU_ck:qK8DMEkDUU

St. Patrick's Guild is 60! Deals Galore on Christian Goods (and fun events!)

St. Patrick's Guild has been open 60 years!

In celebration, we're having a "Rollback the Prices" to the levels of the old days - 20% of everything in the store. EVERYTHING!

The sale will occur:
October 23, 9-5:30
October 24, 9-5:30
October 26, 9-8

During the sale, there will be lots of celebration and merriment.

Please keep checking back for more details. We'll be updating the blog frequently.

Round 2: Sell Your Home with the St. Joseph Statue

A few weeks ago, I posted about the history of the St. Joseph statue. Here's a St. Patrick's Guild YouTube video on the subject. The first time home buyer credit expires on December 1, 2009 (so says the IRS website). Home sellers might consider the St. Joseph statue during this last push to entice those buyers. Good luck!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxNHSsIZCwo