auxilium pro reginaldo nostro petitur
John Piazza
Dear Students and Friends of Reginald,
I am proposing an opportunity to be of direct help to our beloved
teacher, Fr. Reginald Foster. So you know, as a matter of conscience
I felt compelled to tell Reginald that I would be reaching out to his
former students and friends. As a matter of conscience (predictably),
Reginald was very apprehensive about this, not wishing to appear that
he was pleading or begging. He is not. In the end, he acknowledged
my right of “free speech,” his way of tell me to leave him out of it.
So I take full responsibility for what I am proposed, although I might
add that I have passed this through the fine counsel of my wife and
our friend Gina Soter, both of whom have encouraged me and believe the
following in a great idea.
Many of you have already received the happy news that Fr. Reginald is
planning to reinstitute his Latin School on American soil. In
discussing his special needs, I’ve mentioned to Reginald that he ought
to own and use a “digital visualizer” so that he can easily project
readings and demonstrate grammatical constructions without the need of
a blackboard, and most significantly, without the need to stand up.
While he is making progress walking, it is still unrealistic to
imagine that he could get in and out of a chair easily.
After doing extensive internet research and consulting with elementary
school teachers I know, it seems the most affordable and practical
solution is a “visualize” designed especially for the classroom. In
conjunction with an LCD projector, the teacher can project anything
with extreme clarity onto a screen, even in a well lighted room.
And, while the projector necessarily produced a beam, the “visualize”
does not, which means there is no stressful lighting in front of the
teacher. This is not a traditional overhead projector. Rather, it
acts as a camera, providing a crisp image of anything placed under its
eye. The purchase of an visualize and an LCD projector will cost
approximately $1300, although I have hopes of getting a better deal
through Ebay. He may also need a projection screen. And, no doubt,
there will be some unforeseen expenses.
While I have considered making the purchase myself, my wife has
strongly urged me to extend a broader invitation, believing that many
of Reginald’s former students would want to be of some practical help
as he reinvents his Latin school.
How would this work? I will handle the purchase, and my wife and I
will help Reginald with all step-up so he feels comfortable with the
equipment.
I am asking (a matter of trust on your part, I admit) that you send
contributions directly to me in the form of American dollars. If
contributions exceed what is needed, every cent will be given directly
to Reginald for any immediate or future expenses he has in operating
his new school in Milwaukee.
While I know that cards, calls, and visits are very important to him,
I do think practical assistance is also something we can offer,
especially in view of how much he has given to all of us.
Fr. Patrick Twomey, Rector
All Saints Episcopal Church
100 N. Drew Street
Appleton WI USA 54911