Ten years ago, when Lighthouse Catholic Media was merged into the Augustine Institute, it became clear that this apostolate (and many others) would greatly benefit from a truly Catholic organization that provided state-of-the-art business support services.
What if there were an Agency that could offer marketing and design services with an authentically Catholic voice and sensibility? How about one that could create websites and provide technology consultation and solutions with an intimate understanding of the needs of a Catholic organization?
In the face of soulless call centers, was there not a need for an organization that answered phones and emails and provided customer support, not just efficiently and professionally, but with true concern and love for both the Catholic company and their customers?
What if there was a warehouse that could provide the service expected of any top tier secular fulfillment center, but was willing to handle the unique needs of Catholic organizations—fulfillment to individuals, stores, wholesalers, and parishes (with seasonal spikes)—while bending over backward to meet any and all special needs. And, most importantly, to pick every item and pack every box with the goal of evangelizing the world?
And what if one devoutly Catholic organization could provide all of these services for the Catholic world? It was with this goal in mind that 5 Stones was conceived.
While the “nuts and bolts” of our organization have existed for almost 20 years, the formation of 5 Stones ten years ago was not just a pivot but truly a new beginning. We were no longer an internal team reacting to the needs of primarily one apostolate. We were now called to identify the needs of the larger Catholic world and mold ourselves into an image envisioned by those needs.
We would no longer be part of a well-known, consumer-facing apostolate, but a partner to that apostolate working in the background. We were not to be the attractive vehicle that invited souls to hop in and drive towards the glory of heaven. Rather, we were to be the anonymous engine that powered that car forward.
The name “5 Stones” beautifully reflects the identity of our apostolate. When David was called to battle Goliath, he stooped down and picked up five smooth stones from the wadi, placing them in his pouch. As he approached the enemy of God, David drew out one of these stones, placed it in his sling… and things did not go well for Goliath.
We are not called to be “David.” Others have been called to that role—from large Catholic publishers and ministries, to dioceses and parishes, to small organizations and individual speakers, to authors and artists. Whether large or small, these organizations and individuals have been uniquely called and gifted by God to evangelize, catechize, mobilize, and create beautiful things. We are merely called to be the “stones in their hands” that they use to slay any giants that stand in their way.
The role of 5 Stones is that of companion, confidant, counselor, servant, and herald. We walk alongside Catholic apostolates, listen to them, help identify their needs, propose solutions, shoulder their burdens, and magnify their message.
We are animated by a spirit of humility and buoyed by the joy of seeing the success of our partners in evangelizing the world.
5 Stones does not need to exist. It does not need to accomplish any particular task. It exists solely because, at this time, our Lord has called it into being and is sustaining it. 5 Stones needs only to do what we discern our Lord wants.
So, where do we go from here? My honest answer is, “wherever our Lord wants.”
5 Stones has grown from a small internal creative team to a full-service external agency. We used to ship merely several thousand orders per year, and now we fulfill well over half a million orders each year (including shipping out almost one million items in a single month this year). We used to answer phones and emails on behalf of only ourselves, and now we provide product expertise and technical support for a wide variety of apostolates. We rebrand apostolates, promote products and services, fill seats, design systems, distribute every type of digital content, and magnify the voice of hundreds of apostolates.
We have grown and pivoted, grown more and repivoted. We have experienced confusion and clarity, expectation and disappointment, fear and exaltation. Through it all, our greatest joy has never been objective growth or even a feeling of success. Rather, it has been that we remain focused on our Lord. All our “successes” are vehicles for our clients to bring souls to Christ. Our growth has blessed us with the ability to meet and serve so many amazing workers in God’s vineyard, and it has brought more beautiful souls here at 5 Stones to pray with, work with, and share our lives with.
5 Stones does not need to exist. It does not need to accomplish any particular task. It exists solely because, at this time, our Lord has called it into being and is sustaining it. 5 Stones needs only to do what we discern our Lord wants.
And if we remain faithful, 5 Stones will become whatever God intends it to be.
President
