Next week, Bishop Maginn High School, where Sue Silverstein, Maria, Zinnia, and the Army Of Good have done so much good, will close down for good. Sue Silverstein spent her whole life teaching at the school, she says she has thousands of children. We are all moving the refugee program to Bishop Gibbons. The Catholic newspaper The Evangelist asked her to write about growing up at Bishop Maginn. Sue was devoted to that school and will be equally devoted to the next one. Many more children to come.

Here is her piece, which will be published right after graduation next week. Sue is the UR teacher in my mind, she is the person we all wanted to teach our kids. The work goes on

“Growing up” at Bishop Maginn, By Sue Silverstein

“When I was asked to write about my memories of the years I have spent at BMHS a literal waterfall of images came to mind. Recently, some of the students were going through old yearbooks. Someone said, “Mrs. Silverstein, it’s like we watched you grow up!”

Indeed they did, I suppose. I was in my 30s when I started what was supposed to be a six-week favor to the then Principal Joe Grasso. Six weeks became the rest of the year and the rest of the year became 24 years. And here I am. About to say goodbye to what has become the fabric of my heart. I often say that I have thousands of children. Each face has a story to tell. I have watched them grow, I have held their children, celebrated their accomplishments, prayed with them, fed them, laughed, and cried with them. They are mine, every one of them. Their families have been kind enough to share their most precious children with me and I am blessed.

It is an honor to teach Theology and Art in a Catholic school, it’s a gift. I have always thought of teaching as walking with the students on their faith journey. Maginn has been an oasis, a refuge from sometimes troubled places, a faith community where the belief that we are here to help each other and be stewards of our community permeates everything.

In 24 years, I have seen many changes. Changes to the location changes to the enrollment changes in faculty and administration, but never a change in mission. The mission remains the same. From the words of Jesus…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

There are so many memories I could write about. The pure joy of that opening night performance of The Wizard of Oz to a sold-out crowd! The excitement or heartbreak of winning or losing sports seasons. The first vegetables were harvested from a garden to feed the hungry. Decorating the gym for a prom, praying together, working together, being a family. The devastation of losing those who meant so much to the history of BMHS.

I have worked with so many caring and compassionate people, people who have changed lives for the better every day of their lives. I learned by watching them and I hope that younger faculty can learn the same way. By watching people who make a difference, even when life gets hard, or a pandemic hits and the way education happens turns totally upside down. 

My children are graduates of BMHS. I am a graduate myself, the first class in 1978. I can’t help but feel the void that will be left in this community by the closing of this place that has been home to so many. This I know, the spirit of Maginn will live on in the lives of all who have been a part of the rich history of this amazing institution. They will make the world a better place. Once a Griffin, Always a Griffin.”

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Sue, you are the best human I know, a genuine, certified angel and teacher. You make me want to be a Catholic, something that has never happened before.

Wherever you go to teach is a blessed place, full of love and inspiration. I am proud to know you and to be working with you these past few years and in the years to come.  Much love, Jon and Maria. And Zinnia of course.

Since she’s your dog, I would catch hell for leaving her out.