Maria’s beautiful and deeply spiritual new Fabric Painting, Mother Mary, a/k/a The Blessed Mother, is going with us to Bishop Maginn High School on Tuesday to meet with the refugee children and give the painting to Sue Silverstein, a long-time follower of the Blessed Mother, and an angel to the children she has helped so often and so lovingly.

This is a brilliant and loving work of art; the piece was inspired by Sue and her truly remarkable with the refugee children and Sue’s deeply spiritual attachment to the Blessed Mother, who is very special to her and who she turns to in times of stress. It is also a tribute to the love Maria and I both have for her, and how much she means to us.

Maria has been working with Sue, teaching some of her students to sew to make pillows and potholders for the Afghan refugees and their own families. It took Maria months and many hours of research and thinking to make this work. In some ways, it is her most ambitious yet.

You can learn more about this piece and how it was made on a video Maria and I made together last week.

The fabric painting has a blessed life. Kathye, a blog reader from Vermont, bought Mother Mary and asked that Maria give it to Sue. Other people had the same beautiful idea.

I love the story of this wonderful and loving woman connected in this timeless circle: Mary, Sue, Maria, and Kathe, and the many lives they all touch. A very powerful circle indeed. This is really a powerful story about women, their beautiful and troubled history, and the enduring connections they have with one another.

I’ve been working with Sue for several years now, and we have become close friends. I value her in my life very profoundly. We work so well together, and she has helped make my refugee work from the beginning. It would not be possible without her, and I am grateful for her friendship and support.

Maria calls Sue my soul sister. She is also Zinnia’g Godmother. Sue is the real deal. I think she is a soul sister to almost everyone who crosses her path. I could not begin to describe all the good she has done, especially for the needy and vulnerable. Her students adore her, and she returns the favor.

Sue is a scarce kind of human; she lives her faith, she doesn’t just talk about it. Scores of graduates visit her every year and text or e-mail her constantly. She has guided many of these children to college and pursue their dreams. She turns lives around.

She gives up on no one.

As many of you know, the Albany Diocese has decided to close Bishop Maginn down in June. We are working to give the students the prom they deserve. Sue’s work will continue, and so will my work with her.

Sue is bringing her refugee program to Catholic High School in Latham, N.Y, just outside of Albany. Zinnia and I are going along. Maria will come when she can.

Sue is taking the Blessed Mother fabric painting with her, Maria could not be happier, and the piece couldn’t possibly go to a better place.

Maria is not conventionally religious, but the story of Sue and the Blessed Mother has inspired and uplifted her, and the artist in her responded with this very beautiful work.

This is a beautiful thing all around. I’m excited about Tuesday, I think the piece will be hanging on the wall wherever Sue goes.