Maria held her fourth sewing class at Bishop Maginn; today was SRO, some teachers have been coming by to watch. Today, Maria taught them about making potholders for Christmas; they were all into this idea as a present for their mothers and relatives.

It’s incredible how much can be done in that cramped space and how much the students are intent on helping each other. The last sewing lesson of the year will be held next Tuesday, the day before Christmas recess.

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Today I got a tour of the Free Store Bishop Maginn has opened up for the Afghan and existing refugees in the area. Melva, a senior student from Micronesia.

Melva has been organizing and maintaining the store, whose contents are accessible to any refugee who comes by.

There are books, clothes, shoes, backpacks,  blankets, towels, sweaters, sheets, and a hundred other things. The traffic has been steady, the store, located on the second floor of the school, has been cleaned out at least five times.

Many of these items were contributed through the Army Of Good and our  Amazon wish lists. Thank you, thank you.

P.S. The snowblower we bought for the Mansion arrived today; they are pleased to have it. Thank you.

I had an interview with two students whose mother came here from Nigeria. They are brothers and sisters, and their relationship is quite beautiful. They often take the bus to Bishop Maginn from the town of Schenectady; their mother insists on their going to Bishop Maginn. She calls Sue Silverstein “Mama.”

I am writing about them tomorrow. Next week, I’m interviewing Melva (above)