After two years of uncertainty and challenge, Bishop Maginn begins to return to its former state. I was thrilled to be back with Zinnia; it is a kind of second home to us.

Thanks so much to all of you good people who help make this work possible.

Today, I put together a photo journal to give a sense of this remarkable place. It seems like a peaceable kingdom, an inspiration for those who believe in a compassionate and caring world.

My journal tonight starts with the Blessed Mother statue who reigns over Sue Silverstein’s classroom. Sue is a devout Catholic, and she turns to the Blessed Mother for help whenever she needs it. So far, the Blessed Mother has never failed her.

I am not a  Catholic, but Bishop Maginn represents the very best of Catholicism and faith as I understand it. The Blessed Mother seems to be smiling over the room.

The classroom is a creative social hive and a safe place at lunchtime for many students, who crowd in to talk to each other, eat their lunch, and spill their hearts to Sue Silverstein.

There is a feeling of love and connection in the room. It is the soul of the school. So many children have been helped, saved, guided, and comforted here; it sometimes feels like a sacred space.

The bacon treats are for Zinnia, handed out to the class over my pointless objections.

Sue is Zinnia’s godmother, and she is always the first to greet me (Zinnia, really) when I shop up. Zinnia starts running in the parking lot and doesn’t stop until she shows Sue kisses at the door.

Paris is one of Maria’s most faithful and conscientious students; she is learning to sew make pillows and blankets for refugees and other families. She always has a sweet smile, visible even through her masks, and is an excellent student. She has great style; she wears her mask well.

Maria and I make a great team in there when she comes. I go off and interview a student, starts teaching sewing. We both love being there. In a week or so, Maria’s class will end, she has so much work to do, and it will just be me and Zinnia again.

There are a lot of faces in Bishop Maginn High School that need their stories told and their photos taken and, where possible, their dreams made real.

A freshman, new to the school, came up and asked if she could pet Zinnia. Of course, we said, that’s why she’s there. At first, she was a bit afraid, then leaned over and patted Zinnia gently. Zinnia was grateful. She also knows how to be very still and calm when she’s not scarfing pirated  french fries off the floor.

Jasmine, a senior, helps Maria sort out some fabric she brought to her class. Zinnia has by now mopped up all the french fries secretly dropped on the floor for her and took a nap. The 50 or so people in the room did not keep her up.

Sue’s classroom is the unofficial haven and chapel of the school; students fill every seat at lunchtime talking to their friends finishing their lunches.

The atmosphere in the room is always a little shocking to me at first, but the truth is that it is a quiet place of love, friendship, and community. I don’t know how does it, perhaps the Blessed Mother helps, but I have come to love being in that room.

When the bell rings, all the plates and cups are in the trash, and the sewing machines are ready to be turned on for teaching.

It’s calm in the classroom, at least until the next class arrives.