If anyone out there wants to contribute to the Bishop Gibbons Amazon Art Supplies Wish List and hasn’t yet, you ought to know the list has just sold out. I am humbled, surprised, and grateful. It didn’t go up on the blog until Tuesday evening.

Thank you, you have my promise these supplies will be put to good use by children who have never had the opportunity to use them.

(You can, if you wish, purchase Inspired By recommendations from Amazon for art supplies the school could use.)

I will get the wish I prayed for last night: That next Monday, a truckload of packages filled with art supplies will descend on a school too often neglected. The message will be clear enough: The Army Of Good is here.

There is only one army in the world I know of that is non-violent, unarmed,  and fights fiercely and courageously for compassion, empathy, and the idea of helping the neediest and vulnerable.

(Above photo: Sue Silverstein in her new art room in front of a quilt by Maria, titled Blessed Mother. This was inspired by Sue and purchased by a member of the Army Of Good for her. It’s the first thing she brought from the old school.)

That is the Army Of Good, formed by readers of this blog in 2016 and dedicated to love rather than hatred, grievance, and argument.

I will always consider this the most outstanding achievement of my life.

And I must always remember never to underestimate these people, who live in every part of our country, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico,  and Alaska. Today will be a day of celebration for me, even in this oppressive heat wave.

The wind does not always blow our way, but we are never defeated or pushed into hatred or surrender.

Yesterday, I offered a sneak peek of the brand new, hours-old Amazon  Bishop Gibbons Art Supplies Wish List, created to help one of the most caring people in the world –  Teacher Sue Silverstein – teach art to 200 children in Schenectady, N.Y., almost all of whom are refugees or inner-city and primarily poor residents.

Sue has saved souls and turned lives around for nearly 30 years. These are lucky kids who get to be in her classes. She and the other teachers are devoted to helping them get their slice of the American Dream. These tools will help.

Rattled by the war in Ukraine, inflation, and climate change, I told Sue this wish list might take a while – people are hurting, and these soldiers are not wealthy or paid. I am always nervous when we put up these lists.

My idea was to offer a sneak preview of the wish list so that the people who said the items were gone before they had a chance to buy them could participate.

The list was initially scheduled for next week; I never thought it would almost entirely be sold out by the time I woke up.

When I went to bed, there were more than 60 multiple items on the list,  ranging in price from $27 to $6. When I woke up this morning, three things were on the list.

I see they are all gone now.

I resisted the urge to polish off the list myself. It’s less than 50 dollars for the whole batch. It is essential, I am learning, that people have a chance to do good.

I sometimes forget that good people need to find ways of being good and doing good, and they welcome the chance to support our country’s refugees and poor children. It is truly God’s work.

In addition to the refugees from Africa and Asia,  this Fall, we will meet refugee children from Afghanistan and Ukraine. So many of them make their way to Catholic schools, which have long been committed to helping refugee families and students.

The church has its struggles these days, and government support systems for refugees were dismantled during the Trump administration. They need our help.

I can’t thank you all enough for your loyalty, commitment, and big hearts. We may yet become the kind and gentle country we all dream of.

I will work hard to follow these gifts and show you how they are used.

There is no surer bet when it comes to helping children than Sue and the principal and teachers of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School. Maria and I will both be reaching some classes there.  I will make sure you get to know the faculty and some students.

We’re both going to school tomorrow.

I’m going to do a portrait of a dedicated English teacher and Maria will help plant the new vegetable garden we are also supporting. The vegetables will be going to food pantries in the Spring.

This is a shining day. I’ve seen what art and creativity can do for these children – giving them confidence, lifting their spirits, and showing them how to love learning.

Thanks again; you are amazing people. Many blessings to you all.