Privacy Policy

Effective 5/23/2018

Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts operates the https://www.sistersofcarmel.com website.

This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.

Information collection and use

We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Essential information we collect:

In operating our store, it is essential for us to capture some information about your device, such as your IP address and information related to your visit when you browse our store. For example, this might include time-stamp, the last page or product you visited, the indication that you logged in.

We do that in order to:


1.Remember who you are after you log in so that you do not need to authenticate at each click;
2.Monitor if our website is running with the high performance we are dedicated to providing;
3.Let you browse between products without having to start back from the home page at each click;
4.Remember if you put something in your shopping cart before you decide to checkout; and control that your data is processed securely.

We call the information mentioned above “essential information” and we collect it through the use of cookies. Cookies are small text files that most websites uses. A website places cookies in the web browser and then reads the information collected through the cookies every time the user performs an action. We use cookies. Without enabling this mechanism and this kind of cookies (first-party cookies), we could not provide you with the smooth experience that you expect while you are navigating.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.

Order information you expressly provide:

If you buy something from our store, we will need more specific information about you. To fully process your order and ship the merchandise you selected, we need your personal data such as your first and last name, your email address and your shipping and billing address. We also use your contact and order information to send you communication related to the processing of your order. We will ask you to provide this information in our “checkout page” before letting you finalize your purchase with the payment.

Accounts

You can sign up for an account if you’d like. We will remember your information and, when you decide to buy our products, you do not have to provide all of your information over again -- you just have to log-in. Before registering your account, we will ask you to expressly provide your consent to this privacy policy. Only if you give us your consent, we will open your account. We also you the possibility to easily withdraw your consent and delete your account. Just connect with us at the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Partial Purchases

If you have started to buy one of our products, but have not completed the purchase, you may have provided partial information, such as your email. In that case, we might send you an email to remind you about your interest. If you are not comfortable in receiving further emails of this kind, we will give you a simple opportunity to opt-out. Your privacy means a lot to us and we will stop sending you these communications right away.

Reviews

If you have completed a purchase, we will send you an email to ask you to review the product you bought. We want to be sure that whether you love your purchase or have a complaint, you can share your opinion with other customers.

Personalization

We also use some specific information related to your visit, such as the timestamp of your visit, the page or the product you viewed, where you are coming from (if you came to our store because you clicked on an advertisement or you just opened our direct link). This is very similar to the “essential information,” but we use it to provide you with a personalized experience. The information on your visit provides us with insights on your interests and allows us to send you relevant communications. We capture this information through cookies, called a "beacon," that we allow you to block.

How do we process your information?

Transfer of Data

Your information, including Personal Data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from your jurisdiction.

If you are located outside United States and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data, including Personal Data, to United States and process it there.

Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by your submission of such information represents your agreement to that transfer.

Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of your data and other personal information.

BigCommerce

We use an external provider to run our store, BigCommerce. BigCommerce is based in the US and is a participant in the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework and committed to providing best-in-class service and data protection. You can check its participation in the Privacy Shield here on the official site of The International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

Through BigCommerce, we also use other, highly specialized external providers to provide the most competitive services.

MailChimp

You may sign up for our newsletter on our newsletter page or by clicking on the check box during the check-out process. We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By signing up for our newsletter you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.

MailChimp participates in and has certified its compliance with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and the Swiss-U.S Privacy Shield Framework. To learn more about the Privacy Shield Frameworks, and to view Mailchimp’s certification, visit the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Privacy Shield website:https://www.privacyshield.gov/welcome.

You may always opt-out of receiving newsletters after subscribing by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our newsletters.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.

You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity.

For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy Terms web page:https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/

Payment Processor

We may provide paid products and/or services within the Service. In that case, we use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors).

We will not store or collect your payment card details. That information is provided directly to our third-party payment processors whose use of your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of payment information.

The payment processor we work with is: PayPal or Braintree

Their Privacy Policy can be viewed athttps://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full

Shipping Provider

We use an external shipping provider to print shipping labels for your order. The provider we use is Stamps.com. They are participants in the E.U. – U.S. Privacy Shield Framework, and their privacy policy can be viewed at https://www.stamps.com/privacy-policy/.

Drop Shipping

For some items that are large and difficult to ship or need to be shipped quickly, we will provide your mailing information (this does not include your payment information or email address) to our manufacturer so that the item may be shipped to you directly. In the case of E.U. citzens, we will ask permission through email to make such a transfer of information.

Your data protection rights under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights. Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete, or limit the use of your Personal Data.

If you wish to be informed what Personal Data we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us.

In certain circumstances, you have the following data protection rights:

The right to access, update or to delete the information we have on you. Whenever made possible, you can access, update or request deletion of your Personal Data directly within your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please contact us to assist you.

The right of rectification. You have the right to have your information rectified if that information is inaccurate or incomplete.

The right to object. You have the right to object to our processing of your Personal Data.

The right of restriction. You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information.

The right to data portability. You have the right to be provided with a copy of the information we have on you in a structured, machine-readable and commonly used format.

The right to withdraw consent. You also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time where Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts relied on your consent to process your personal information.

Please note that we may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests.

You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about our collection and use of your Personal Data. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Links to other sites

Our Service may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.

Children's Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 18 ("Children").

We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your Children has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from children without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

How long do we keep your data?

We keep your data for as long as you have an account with us. We also keep some data for security investigation. Most importantly, we have specific obligations for fraud detection and tax reasons. Therefore, we might need to retain certain data even if you ask to delete it.

Disclosure of Data

Disclosure for Law Enforcement

Under certain circumstances, Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts may be required to disclose your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). Legal Requirements

Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts may disclose your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

-To comply with a legal obligation -To protect and defend the rights or property of Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts -To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service -To protect the personal safety of users of the Service or the public -To protect against legal liability

Who can you reach out to for privacy matters?

If you have any questions about our privacy policy or a privacy complaint, you can email us at sisters@sistersofcarmel.com or contact us through our contact us page.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

We will let you know through a prominent notice on our website, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "effective date" at the top of this Privacy Policy.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

Testimonials

“I just wanted to thank you for the excellent customer service provided by your online shop and the very fine quality of scapular (the best I've seen) and Miraculous medal. I admire the wonderful work you are doing towards the restoration of Holy Church and Her glorious traditions.”

– D.M., Northern Ireland

“Out of all of the on-line religious goods stores I've found, the articles on your website are all quality without the kitsch. I received my order of religious jewelry super fast. Thank you. I’m so happy to have a place to go when I need a quality sacramental.”

– Andrew, Colorado, USA

“Every item is absolutely beautiful! I have not encountered any other service, either online or brick-and-mortar establishment, that offers items of the same exquisite quality as your sacramentals. The aesthetic beauty is not only pleasing to the eye but inspires devotion in the heart and a more ardent desire to please God. I will definitely be using your wonderful service for most of my devotional needs! Thanks again! God bless you, Sisters.”

– Antonia, New York, USA

“Excellence is the Sisters trademark! As always, a smooth easy means of purchase, coupled with prompt shipping . The Items I have purchased over the years are always of superb quality and workmanship. I could not be more pleased.”

- Francis T Walsh

“I have now purchased at least a dozen brown scapulars from the Sisters of Carmel and have always received items of the utmost quality that wear very well. Adding to my satisfaction is that the Sisters charge a standard USPS shipping rate for the items, i.e., they do not add to one’s cost by charging inflated “shipping and handling” charges. Furthermore, my order was shipped one business day after I placed my order. We are all called by God to serve within the confines of His graces to us. The Sisters of Carmel are models of that calling.”

- Ed Shimkus

“I have received my orders from you and again want to thank you for them. The Blessed Sacrament and Seven Dolors chaplets are beautiful and will be treasured by me for many years. As others have said, the pictures on the web site don’t do them justice. I also want to thank you for the books you carry. They are clearly selected with the goal of deepening faith. It is wonderful to find a place where I can go and know that I will receive quality, not only of merchandise, but of faith. Again, thank you for the work you do.”

– Mary, Minnesota, USA

“I just received my scapular and crucifix along with the Miraculous Medals. I am so very pleased with the quality of the items! Truly the BEST on-line selection of sacramentals. Thanks so much! I will be ordering from you again soon.”

– David, Ohio, USA

“Your website is like an oasis of good spiritual things! You do such magnificent work, the chaplets are amazing! The badges are like having good friends near, and your books are so nourishing to the soul. I feel so blessed to have found you. Thank you again, and you are in my prayers.”

– Laura, California, USA

“Unbelievable service – I received my order on Monday, exactly five days after placing it. Your customer service is outstanding. Everything was securely packaged and arrived in perfect condition. The ceramic ornaments are lovely, and I can’t wait to add them to my Christmas tree this year. The exquisite suncatcher will be placed in my kitchen window where it will be appreciated every day. And as for the ‘In Paradisum’ CD, all I can say is it’s on continuous loop right now. I love early sacred choral music and have a collection of CD’s, but this one is stunningly beautiful and has become my new favorite.”

– Linda, North Carolina, USA

“I wanted to let you know that I received the Rosary that you created for us just a short while ago. Sisters, it has to be without exception the most beautiful Rosary I have ever held. It is exactly how I envisioned it and the size is perfect. You were also right about the beads; the color is exceptional! Thank you, thank you, thank you each and every Sister for doing such a perfect job and for putting up with us throughout this whole process. While rersearching this project, every time I looked elsewhere, I always seemed to be guided back to the Sisters of Carmel, and now I know why...PERFECTION!

– A Catholic Church, New York, USA

“I just wanted to thank you for the exceptional care you took in packing/shipping the books and other items in my order.... It’s the little extra touches like this that go a long way with the customer and lets them know how much you value their business.”

– R.C., New York, USA

“I received my sterling silver Pardon Crucifix yesterday. It was such a pleasure to receive it. Everything was packaged and presented with such care and finesse. The crucifix was crafted with such intricate and beautiful details that it does not do justice to look at it through the Internet. One has to order it to relish what a beautiful piece of art it is. Again, the manner you package the crucifix, the enclosures contained within, and the quality of craftmanship itself has totally exceeded my expectations.”

– K.W.C.

“I recently purchased a cord rosary from the Sisters of Carmel. I have to say the quality and craftsmanship was far beyond my expectations. I was so impressed I ordered two more rosaries as gifts. God bless the Sisters of Carmel and God bless your ministry! Your rosaries, in my opinion, are of the finest quality anywhere.”

- Chris

“When I asked my priest to bless my new scapular, it took his breath away by its handmade beauty. I told him it had been made with loving hands by the Sisters of Carmel. I felt the Holy Spirit say to give it to him. I did. He was overwhelmed. I ordered another one for myself and it arrived today. I love it. It is so beautiful. I will kiss it every day. I am eager to have it blessed tomorrow and wear it immediately. Thank you.”

– Anonymous

“I love to order any item from your site. Always such high quality and a joy for all that I give them to. Your care and blessings are felt from the Holy Spirit to us. Thank you and God bless you.”

- Julia

“Once again the best. I appreciate you quickly sending me the scapular. I could have gone locally to purchase one, but I truly appreciate your craftsmanship and customer service.”

- Linda

“This is the most beautiful rosary I have ever seen crafted. Combining high quality materials, skillful labor, and loving prayer, the Carmelite Sisters are hands down the best choice to go with when shopping for rosaries. Reasonably priced, quick delivery, and wonderful customer service, I will DEFINITELY be ordering all of my future rosary purchases from ”