Over 1,000 people across the country are now sporting a new addition to their wardrobe—thanks to three western N.D. parishes.
“As more and more people were seeing this stunning logo, their reactions were all the same: They loved it and wanted to know how they could get one,” explained Fr. David Richter, pastor at the Churches of
St. Anthony (Linton),
St. Paul (Hazelton) and
St. Katherine (Braddock).
The tri-parish youth group at the three parishes was searching for a logo to put on their T-shirts for the Steubenville North Youth Conference this past July. Once they found it, they had no idea how popular their final design choice would become.
The logo simply features the word “Catholic,” creatively using different symbols of the faith to spell out the word on black fabric. A crucifix forms the “T” while a eucharistic host serves as the “O.”
After the design was found on the web, the parish tweaked it a bit and had the apparel printed. They were initially put up for sale in October after weekend Masses at the three parishes.
When the youth group signed up as a vendor at the
Bismarck Diocese THIRST Conference and brought their new product with them to the event, sales skyrocketed.
“After people’s initial reactions, we knew this was a marketable shirt,” Richter said. “How perfect that the THIRST Conference was coming up. They sell themselves!”
The parish reports that they’ve sold them to families for reunions, teachers have bought them for their students and businesses have given them to their employees. In all, over 1,000 T-shirts and sweatshirts have been sold. Proceeds will benefit the youth group, particularly its summer Catholic conference.
“I believe that they are so popular because they are so simple!” Richter said. “In a way, it is like the religious garb of the layperson. It doesn’t say much. It simply proclaims a truth.”
If you are interested in ordering “Catholic” apparel, contact the Church of St. Anthony at 701-254-4588 or [email protected].