[November 27, 2012]

Largest Catholic Online Retailer Announces Gold Star Chaplain Project

The Christmas season is upon us and the "Top Online Retailer of the Catholic world" Aquinas and More is offering American servicemen and women hope away from home. Today, they announced their Gold Star Chaplain Project that provides free religious items for military chaplains to distribute to troops all over the world.

Aquinas and More has shipped more than 7,500 bibles, medals and prayer cards to Catholic military chaplains worldwide through the generous donations of its customers. Through the company's Military Chaplain Registry, hope packages have been sent to troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. The most popular items requested by chaplains include the Pocket New Testament and Divine Mercy Holy Cards. The company also reports that the most popular military branch for products purchased is the Army. The price range for products purchased and donated is between $0.75 and $50.

"Our customers appreciate the sacrifices that American troops make and the difficulties that they have with access to Catholic religious material and even attending Mass," said Ian Rutherford, president of Aquinas and More. "This program is a true partnership between our customers and our company to help these courageous chaplains who are often serving with the most limited resources in very difficult conditions. The end goal, of course, is to help in some small way to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic military personnel serving in harm's way, to help sustain their hope and faith in God - especially in difficult times."

Catholic military chaplains regularly have difficulties getting material for the troops under their care. Aquinas and More's Military Chaplain Registry has filled the need since its inception in 2004. And, even though most American troops are coming home from long deployments, they still face the same problem of obtaining Catholic materials at their home bases.

"People may assume that the military budgets for religious supplies but many expenses are paid through donations," Rutherford added.

About Aquinas and More

Aquinas and More Catholic Goods is centrally located in Colorado Springs, CO. They carry thousands of products ranging from books and videos to chalices and church furnishings. The store was started by Ian Rutherford in 2002 and is owned and run by his family and friends. The store name comes from two famous Catholic saints, Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More. The ox head in the logo is a symbol of St. Thomas Aquinas who was called "The Dumb Ox" because he was a very quiet student, and rather large.

Note to Editor: A high-resolution graphic of the Gold Star Chaplain Project is available upon request.

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