Autom

National Boss Day (or National Bosses Day) is normally the 16th of October, but this year that falls on a Saturday, so it will officially be celebrated this Friday, October 15th.

National Boss Day began in the US in 1958 and in recent years has gained popularity.  It is a perfect day for employees to thank their boss for being kind and fair throughout the year.  Popular ways to say "thanks" include cards, a lunch in the boss's honor, flowers, or gift certificates.

I want to say a special thank you to the many Bosses in our Autom family!  Without their leadership and support we wouldn't be able to offer the affordable church supplies our customers count on. 

Everyone needs encouragement and to know that they are appreciated, especially those whose job it is to motive and inspire us at work.  Make sure you take time this Friday to show your Boss how much you appreciate them. 

God Bless!

 

Today we celebrate our 62nd Anniversary!  Autom has been in the business of selling affordable church supplies and Catholic gifts since 1948. 

As a special thank you to our many loyal customers and in honor of the year of our founding we are offering 19.48% Off Any Size Order now through May 7th, 2010.

**Use Coupon Code CPN1948 during checkout.**

Our History...

After a new found love for his Catholic faith, our founder Ignatius DiGiovanni began working as the manager of a small church bookstore at St. John’s Church in Manhattan. As business improved his health declined, and his family doctor suggested on numerous occasions that he move to a warm, dry climate. After much discussion with his new bride, Ignatius decided to start his own religious goods business in Phoenix, Arizona, with combined savings of only $1600 and the sheer will to succeed. Ignatius chose a name he had been thinking about for years: Autom was born in 1948, half for St. Augustine and half for St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ignatius DiGiovanni, new to town, somehow convinced the Franciscan Fathers of St. Mary's Church to pay his first six months' rent at the Phoenix bus terminal if he used, in his words, his "vast experience" in the religious goods business to open a retail store. The optimism of the moment was tempered somewhat by the gross sales of the first day, a mere $.75, but business improved and the word spread that a young man and his new wife were offering the growing city of Phoenix its first Catholic bookstore. Ignatius noticed that many young priests were stopping by the store in its first year. It was usually on their day off and the only transportation they could afford was the city bus. Therefore, as luck would have it, all the potential pastors of the boomtown of Phoenix would pass by the small retail store on their way to downtown. Friendships were forged that would last a lifetime, and Ignatius bonded with the future leaders of the Diocese of Phoenix and Tucson.

Business and the inventory grew, and Ignatius moved the firm to a storefront at 40 East Monroe in downtown Phoenix in 1951. Then in 1957 Ignatius purchased some land on North 7th Street to house the growing new Autom Company, and in September of that year, built a brand new 6,000 square foot building. All the supplies a church needed were now available in one beautiful location.

In 1963 Autom entered the mail order business with our first catalog. And now over 60 years later, we mail over 4,000,000 catalogs each year and have three locations; our original retail store and corporate office both located in Phoenix, as well as our a newly built 160,000 sq ft distribution center in Lewisburg, Tennessee.

Many kind and committed people have participated in the fantastic growth of Autom. Without their support and effort, the Autom of today would be only a dream.
 

Today only Autom is offering Free Shipping on Any Size Order!
Click here to activate this offer.  Expires 4/22/10 11:59 EST.

Reusable Tote Bags seem to be huge this Earth Day and it just so happens that they are also a favorite among both our customers and employees.  We have large tote bags that are perfect for groceries as well as a variety of other sizes including bags that are just right for carrying your favorite Catholic prayer books.  Another neat idea would be to use a tote as a gift bag  for Catholic Confirmation gifts, First Communion gifts and more!

Here are a just a few comments from our Autom staff about our newest tote bags.

"The Grocery Tote Bag is one of my favorite items. Not only is it environmentally viable as an alternative to throw-away plastic bags, but it also has a great Bible verse reminding us to care for God's creation."
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it" is a reminder that our earth belongs to the Creator of all things.
- Beth - Merchandiser

"I always like children themed items and especially love Mother Teresa, so I would have to say our new Children of the World Tote Bag is my new favorite item! It’s environmentally friendly with an eye-catching design and popular saying from our beloved Mother Teresa.  It’s suitable for any generation, from kids, teenagers to adults and is great for any activity...not just as a grocery bag." 
Angela - Purchasing

"I love our tote bags, especially the new Children of the World Tote Bag. In a time when it's smart to be environmentally friendly, bringing your own reusable bags to a grocery or drug store is a necessity - and the cute designs and popular sayings we have never cease to bring comments from other customers at the stores. They're sturdier and more reliable than plastic bags, and a lot of places give you a discount on your groceries or products if you bring your own bag -  a win win situation!" :)
Kara - Catalog Development




 

Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to children about First Holy Communion, and here is a part of that letter:

"Dear friends, there is no doubt that an unforgettable meeting with Jesus is First Holy Communion, a day to be remembered as one of life's most beautiful.

The Eucharist, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper on the night before His passion, is a sacrament of the New Covenant — the greatest of the sacraments. In this sacrament, the Lord becomes food for the soul under the appearances of bread and wine.
Children receive this sacrament solemnly a first time — in First Holy Communion — and are encouraged to receive it afterward as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus.

First Holy Communion is a great family celebration…and also a great day of celebration in the parish. I remember as though it were yesterday when, together with the other boys and girls of my own age, I received the Eucharist for the first time in the parish church of my town. This event is usually commemorated in a family photo, so that it will not be forgotten. As time goes by, people take out these pictures and experience once more the emotions of those moments; they return to the purity and joy experienced in that meeting with Jesus, the one who out of love became the Redeemer of Man."

-Pope John Paul II

We still have a great selection of Autom's First Communion sets in stock and several First Holy Communion gifts to help make this special sacrament memorable for new communicants.
 

Are you looking for a way to liven up your family and children’s Masses?  We have a couple of clergy stoles in our clergy apparel collection that can do just that.  They feature kid-friendly designs that are warm and welcoming for children of all ages.  Our Children of the World Stole has been a customer favorite since we introduced it a few years ago. We have since added a matching Children of the World Chasuble and Deacon stole, as well as two additional stole designs featuring Noah’s Ark and the Story of Christmas.

Here is what Susan, our Director of Merchandising had to say:
 “One of my favorite products is our Noah’s Ark Stole.  The vibrant colors of the stole not only draw attention to the story of Noah and his ark, which is a great story for Children’s Liturgies, but the stole can also be worn whenever a Priest just wants to remind his congregation that with God all things are possible.  The stole brings with it an uplifting message that can be a reminder to all of us in difficult times.”

We encourage you to try one of these stoles to help bring a little extra spirit to your liturgy!

I recently asked my coworkers to share with me a few of their favorite products and one particular standout was our line of Prayer Cubes. 

“My favorite is definitely the Prayer Cubes, they are simple, fun and get the message across for all ages.”
Lindsey – Purchasing Manager

“The Fasting Prayer Cube is the coolest thing ever. It provides ideas for fasting that are not commonplace such as 'Fast from anger and hatred', 'Fast from complaining.' Maybe all of us could use a little reminder once in awhile.”
Beth – Merchandiser

The Prayer Cubes just happen to be a favorite of mine as well, so I am very excited to be able to share with you a bit about this really neat product.  We started with one original cube featuring traditional prayers and have expanded to nine additional subjects including First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Favorite Catholic Prayers, Mealtime Prayers, Advent Prayers, Lenten Prayers, Fasting Prayers, and Children’s Prayers. 

These are perfect for classrooms, as each child can take turns rolling the cube to help determine which prayer will be recited during lessons.  For families, they are a wonderful tool to encourage prayer and discussion during meals and before bedtime. 

I love that each Prayer Cube is meant to make the process of learning prayers easy and fun.  With Spring Sacraments coming up, they would make excellent Reconcilation Gifts, First Communion Gifts and Catholic Confirmation Gifts.

It is still extremely cold in many parts of the country, but at Autom we are already well into the Spring Season.  Our warehouse has begun assembly of thousands of First Communion Sets and is quickly shipping out your affordable church supplies for Lent and Easter.

We are really excited about our newest selection of First Communion gifts, especially our new Everlasting Covenant Presentation Sets.  This exclusive design was thoughtfully created by one of our favorite artists, Michael Adams.  Featuring traditional First Communion symbols including a Catholic Chalice with Chi Rho, wheat and grapes, this design is already becoming a new Autom favorite.

Don’t let the weather fool you…Spring is just around the corner and Autom is ready to supply you with the First Holy Communion gifts you need to make the season great!
 

Please join Autom in prayer for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and for ongoing relief efforts.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise and thank You that You are good and compassionate toward all who are in need. Please have mercy on the people of Haiti and the neighboring regions who have just suffered a terrible earthquake. In your goodness, receive the countless men, women, and children who have died into Your loving and forgiving embrace. Have mercy on the multitudes who are missing, wounded, hungry, and homeless— people who have already suffered so much due to poverty, disease, and natural disasters. 

Thank You for the many agencies and individuals who are responding to this calamity with financial aid, food, water, medicine and clothing. Please protect and bless all those engaged in rescue and relief efforts, and multiply their efforts to touch all in need.

O Father, every human life is precious to you, especially the poor and vulnerable. Fill each person in Haiti now with Your peace and consolation. Let them feel Your love in their hearts, that they may know You are with them, and You will never leave them nor forsake them.

Help us to assist the Haitians however You may lead us, that they might know of our solidarity and heartfelt support.

O God all things are possible with You. We ask You humbly to please hear our prayer and grant our request, which we make in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Our Savior, and Our Friend. Amen.

Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us.

Our Autom Arizona office celebrated Christmas with a festive lunch and team building scavenger hunt. It was a great opportunity to let go of busy deadlines and spend some quality time with coworkers. 

The scavenger hunt sent teams scurrying through a local restaurant/arcade searching for clues, playing games, and making up team cheers. After the prizes were awarded our afternoon of fun concluded with a Fajita buffet and desert. Here are a couple pictures of our Autom Christmas festivities.


                        
 

The Christmas trees and Nativities are up…there is Christmas cheer in the air at Autom! Our Accounting department celebrated a bit early this year holding their annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange last week. They are a wonderful bunch that loves getting together for a bit of fun every now and again. Even with the doors closed, we could still hear their laughter and holiday cheer from down the hall. We hope this season provides you many opportunities to share the Christmas spirit with your co-workers, friends and family. 

Over the next week we will be sharing more pictures from our Autom Christmas celebrations, so stay tuned!
 

Don't forget, today is the last day to ship your Autom order for only $5. Whether you need Nativities, Ornaments,
Altar Candles or Affordable Church Supplies for your Christmas services, there is still time to order and take advantage of our last shipping promotion of 2009!

Expires 12/9/09 at 11:59 PM EST

One day Juan Diego, an Indian Catholic living near Mexico City, heard a voice calling to him as he walked to church. A young maiden dressed as an Aztec Princess appeared to him in a golden beam of light, saying she was the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. She requested Juan to have the bishop build a church on the hill of Tepeyac, so she could show her compassion to his people.

Juan related the request to Bishop Juan de Zumarraga. Somewhat skeptical, the bishop asked for a sign. Meanwhile, Juan put off his visit with the Lady until he could get a priest to administer the last rites to his dying uncle.

Suddenly the Virgin Mary appeared, telling Juan he had nothing to fear, as she had cured his uncle. Miraculously, Castilian roses bloomed on the hillside, which Juan took to the doubting bishop. 

Kneeling before the bishop, Juan let the roses fall from his tilma. To everyone’s surprise and wonder, the image of the Lady was imprinted on the tilma! Falling to his knees, Bishop Zumarraga accepted the sign and fulfilled Mary’s wish by building a church in her honor, where her image was enshrined.

In the next few decades, eight million Indians converted to Jesus. Our Lady of Guadalupe, “La Alma de la Gente”, took her rightful place in the souls of her children.

If you are looking for an affordable and unique Our Lady of Guadalupe devotional gift this beautiful rosary saint bracelet features images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and various other saints on the back of each rose shaped bead. As an exclusive deal to our new Autom blog visitors we are offering this rosary bracelet for $1 Off the regular price! Now on sale for only $7.99* through December 12!

*Be sure to click through this blog post for your sale price which will be reflected upon checkout.
 

With the First Sunday of Advent behind us, it’s likely that you have all of the Advent supplies you need for the season, and now is the time to reflect upon what Advent really means. 

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “to come to”.  It is a season for us to remember Jesus’ arrival long ago in Bethlehem and to prepare for His final coming as King of Kings.  It is also a season to remind us to prepare our hearts for Jesus each day and to reflect upon His loving presence among us.  We hope this Advent season will bring a renewal of prayer especially in your families, enkindling love and warmth among your loved ones and bringing faith and hope to all those who may feel lonely or discouraged this season.

Advent began Sunday, November 29th, and continues until December 24th.

If you are in need of any last minute Advent supplies or would like to stock up for next year, we have a variety of Autom Advent wreaths, books and candles still available.  Click here to view our selection of Advent supplies. Thank you, and have a Blessed Advent!

We are excited to offer this great new tool to communicate with you, our valuable Autom customers. We are looking forward to sharing helpful buying tips, insights into our company and products, and most of all having conversations about what matters to you. Our Autom blog is our newest outlet to help support you in your search for affordable church supplies, resources and devotional gifts. Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments and ideas…we want to hear from you!