Bishop Maginn’s Senior Baccauaureates had their mass at the Albany Cathedral yesterday. Every one of them has been accepted to college. They all wanted me to express their deepest appreciation for the help you have given them and their families.

You had a lot to do with them being at that mass yesterday.

You got them food when they need it, clothes when they needed them, laptops for virtual learning, school and art supplies, snacks, boots,  books and subscriptions, camera and music equipment, and juice for those who needed breakfast.

You bought out five different Amazon Wish Lists in order to help get them the supplies they needed.

We bought hundreds of dollars in safety supplies and equipment during the pandemic, including a disinfectant fogger that helped keep the school – students and faculty –  almost entirely free of Covid 19. We got laptops for every single student who needed one to participate in the online classes.

We got gift cards to their families when they got hungry, and winter shoes and sweaters when they got cold.

We have also funded an Amazon Wish List to help fund the senior banquet next week at the school (Zinnia is Prom Queen). Maria and I will be there.

The artist and baker Emily Gold also made Appreciation Cards for people who donate to Bishop Maginn and the Mansion.

The card above is for you. You can see her wonderful art here. She also offers online collage classes.

I am very proud of these children; they have endured a lot, including the pandemic, which took a normal year of school from them.

We really helped them get through it and on to their bright futures.

I get misty when I look at that photo, these children – refugees and inner-city kids – will be great citizens of the future. Thank you so much for supporting this wonderful work.