Sue Silverstein sent me this photo of her dining room table today, it is covered in favors and gifts for Bishop Maginn’s graduation ceremony, to be held some in the Albany Cathedral (plenty of room for social distancing) in late June or July.

The Graduation Gift Bags are going to be full, I haven’t broken it to Sue yet that there are more things on the way, including some black and gold sashes and 37 custom made baseball  caps that say “Bishop Maginn Graduation Class Of 2020.”

I see the baby candy jars, and a box of engraved ballpoint pens with a stylus, key chains, and lapel pins.

I am happy to have been invited to the ceremony and am planning to go.

I’ll be wearing a mask and keeping my distance as a favored OMAR – old man at risk.

I wanted to thank the Army Of Good for helping to give these students a real graduation sendoff with some of the things that make a graduation special.

In other cultures graduations from school a very big deal, an elaborate ceremony. The idea of these children losing the chance to have real graduation was heartbreaking to them and their families.

Principal Tolan and Mrs. Silverstein were determined they would have a ceremony, and they asked for help in getting things like hats. The school had no money for the goodies.

We took it from there. Thanks. This will make a lot of kids proud and happy and return the lost feeling of celebration.