Pictured above is the new St. Thomas Aquinas statue that was unveiled and installed at St. Thomas Academy (STA) in Mendota Heights, MN. The celebration took place on the saint’s feast day, January 30th, where an all school mass and special blessing were held to commemorate the new arrival. In attendance, pictured from right to left, was Father Nels Gjengdahl – Chaplain at STA, Tim and Barb Doran of St Patrick’s Guild, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St Paul/Mpls and Matt Mohs – Headmaster at STA. Fr. Nels was assisted by Mark DePalma, Church Goods Manager of St. Patrick’s Guild, to personally select this beautiful hand-carved, Italian-made statue that was donated by the STA Alumni Association. Tim Doran, President of St. Patrick’s Guild, is a 1979 graduate of the Academy.

November 12, 2016

50” Fontanini Crèche from St. Patrick’s Guild for University of St. Thomas is Signed by Emanuele Fontanini

St. Patrick’s Guild coordinated the creation of a 50” high crèche from the House of Fontanini for Al and Brenda Iversen to gift to the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas at the University of St. Thomas. The exquisite set was signed by Emanuele Fontanini, from the village of Bagni di Lucca, Italy, on Saturday, November 12, 2016 in St. Paul, MN. Emanuele signed 4 of the marble-based, hand-painted resin figures while the Iversen’s, University of St. Thomas officials, and St. Patrick’s Guild representatives Tim Doran and Mark DePalma gathered to celebrate this magnificent gift.

The 16-piece set, created by the House of Fontanini, was given to the community as a “gift of hope” by Al and Brenda Iversen. Emanuele Fontanini said the crèche is a masterpiece and the highest quality Fontanini has ever reached. Public debut is the Christmas Eve Mass at 5pm at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on Cleveland Ave. Father Larry Snyder, the university’s vice president for mission, will bless the crèche during the Mass.

St. Patrick’s Guild is proud to have assisted the Iversen family in meeting their vision. We carry a full line of Fontanini nativity and village figures. In addition, we are experts in providing custom church size crèches. We strive to meet the needs of every customer.

Mr. Fontanini visits St. Patrick's Guild for Signing Event on Dec. 2nd, 2017

On Dec. 2nd, St. Patrick's Guild hosted Emanuele Fontanini for a gift signing.

On tour from Italy, he spent the day meeting with St. Patrick's Guild customers and personally signing their favorite Fontanini Christmas figures.

The 2017 Fontanini Christmas ornament (Item #N14445) was a big hit with our customers!

Emanuele Fontanini took time to sign a large Fontanini Nativity set special ordered by one of our customers.

After the signing, St. Patrick's Guild owners Tim and Barbara Doran, enjoyed an Italian meal with Emanuele and his wife at "Louis." The native Italians gave them excellent recommendations on what to eat. Thank you for visiting, Emanuele, and gifting St. Patrick's Guild with a day to remember.