HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!

A particular statue of Jesus, as seen in these photos, has had a long history in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Albany. As far back as anyone can remember the statue was at Vincentian Institute in Albany and then moved in 1977 to Bishop Maginn High School, which was formed by the merger of Vincentian Institute and Cardinal McCloskey High School. Bishop Maginn closed its doors this June and the Jesus statue was moved last month to its new permanent home, St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar. These following recollections tell the history and importance of the statue and how it relates to the Catholic identity of our diocesan schools. 

“As a new administrator, one of my goals was to enhance the Catholic identity of St. Thomas. When I heard that Bishop Maginn was closing many conversations were had about where the statue would find a new home. I was honored that St. Thomas was able to be that home. We will continue the tradition of reverence and connection to the statue. Now when our students, faculty, staff and families enter our school, they too will have the experience of passing by the statue of Jesus.”
—  Adam Biggs, principal, St. Thomas the Apostle School

“Sixteen years ago I started my teaching career at Bishop Maginn under Joe Grasso. Mr. Grasso took a chance on me; I was fresh out of college. I will forever be grateful to him and the faculty, staff, students and parents from Maginn. I learned so much about teaching and life in my years at Maginn, I cherish every memory and experience.  Every day the statue of Jesus greeted me on my way in and on my way out of the building. He was a reminder of our Catholic identity and our family community. This statue has always had a very special place in my heart reminding me of the wonderful people who have since passed, Joe Grasso and Rich Gilooly. Men who influenced my teaching career with their support and guidance. They are greatly missed. To have Jesus in the building where I teach and where my children attend warms my heart greatly. He will again greet me and so many others each day reminding us of his great love for us and our school family.” 
— Shannon McConnell, St. Thomas the Apostle middle school math teacher and former Bishop Maginn teacher 

“When you are a part of a school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany in any capacity (student, teacher, staff member, parent) you are a part of a family. I was privileged to be part of the Bishop Maginn High School family in the ’90s and passed the Jesus statue several times a day for four years. The statue reminded us every time we entered that building or walked through the lobby that we were in the presence of God. Jesus finding a new home at St. Thomas the Apostle School is a full circle moment for me. St. Thomas is my home away from home, my second family, just like Bishop Maginn High School was years ago. The relocation of the statue represents the deep connection between all the Catholic schools in the Diocese and the connection of the amazing people that are and have been associated with these communities.”
— Kimberly Rucinski, St. Thomas the Apostle School pre-K teacher and Bishop  Maginn alum 

“As an alumnus of Bishop Maginn, and recognizing the wonderful tradition the statue holds, I am grateful we found a new home. We thank our friends at Three D Rigging & Construction, Inc. for transporting it with care so its storied history can continue at St. Thomas.”
— Giovanni Virgiglio, diocesan superintendent of schools

“As both a former Maginn faculty member and a current St. Thomas board member and parent, I see this statue as a tangible connection between my past, present and future. I’m thrilled that it has found a new home with us.”
— Sam Laflin, St. Thomas the Apostle School board president, parent and former Bishop  Maginn teacher 

“The move of the beautiful copper Jesus statue from Bishop Maginn High School to St. Thomas the Apostle School has a very personal meaning for me as I recently was office manager at Maginn, where Jesus was placed in the lobby right outside my office door. He greeted me daily for the past few years along with all the staff and students. His place now in the St. Thomas lobby across from my office area made me extremely happy as I have been reunited with Jesus. The Jesus statue actually started at the Vincentian Institute school in Albany, which merged in 1977 with Cardinal McCloskey School to become Bishop Maginn High School. I know many Maginn students over the years always stopped in the hall and took pictures with him. I do have to say the high school students of many of the graduated classes did lovingly call him “High Five Jesus.” — Christine Cioffi, St. Thomas the Apostle School office manager and former Bishop Maginn office manager