The gift shop at the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor, Garrison, has stepped up its offering of sacred merchandise in time for the holiday shopping season – and the holy season of Advent.

“The friars here at Graymoor have two special stores on its property that together make for a fun holiday shopping destination: our traditional Catholic gift shop, with religious gifts and devotional items, and That Nothing Be Lost, our four-story thrift and antique shop,” Jillian Lubarsky, chief communications officer at St. Christopher’s Inn, told The Good Newsroom in a Nov. 4 email.

St. Christopher’s Inn is Graymoor’s residential substance use treatment and recovery community for men. Gift-shop proceeds help support the friars’ ministries for the poor; proceeds from the thrift and antique shop go to St. Christopher’s Inn.

Word is spreading

“The thrift shop in particular has been getting a lot of attention on social media, with many traveling from as far as New York City, northern New Jersey, and Connecticut – and sharing TikToks and Instagram Reels from their visits. The store is packed across four stories, including an entire floor dedicated to Christmas decor,” Lubarsky noted. “For anyone looking for original, one-of-a-kind gifts that will not break the bank, there is a lot to discover.”

She said the gift shop’s popular items include the crèche display (Nativity scene), Advent wreath and candles, Christmas stockings, and card and stocking stuffers. The thrift and antique shop’s popular items include Christmas ornaments, sweaters and decorations, jewelry, furniture, pottery, platters, and kitchenware.

Quincy Portman works in the thrift and antique shop and has played the main role in the social media efforts. She said she believes “word of mouth and social media have been very important. I’ve been really grateful to be able to build these relationships with customers; they have brought more people and more business to the store…I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback – the shop is cozy and welcoming; aesthetics is important.”

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor was founded in 1898, initially as The Society of the Atonement – making December 15th Foundation Day. “In the spirit of our founders, Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, and Mother Lurana White, SA, we pray that all may be one so that the world may believe. Our vision is to bring At-One-Ment to a fragmented world through gospel love, mercy and healing,” the friars state on their website.

Dignity of all people

The friars affirm their call to witness and proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the Franciscan Atonement tradition. They encourage and promote dialogue and understanding among all faiths. “We believe in transforming conflict by being instruments of justice and peace, honoring and embracing the dignity of all people, living ‘minimum for self, maximum for God,’ being stewards of God’s creation and ministering to those in need of physical and spiritual healing,” the friars assert. 

They note that they invite the world to join them in the quest for healing and reconciliation; they do this by “living, embracing and fostering” the Franciscan spirit through “joy in God.” The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor is located at 40 Franciscan Way, Garrison (Putnam County). For more information, visit www.atonementfriars.org.