Hey, Neumann-Goretti, hire a Latin teacher
This morning on my way home from the Acme, I met a couple sitting by our newly renovated Singing Fountain. We started talking and I offered them a copy of the South Philly Review that I had picked up at the store. They were very grateful.
Then I pointed out my last letter to the editor about the boys baseball team at the co-ed Neumann-Goretti High School named after the merger of Saint John Neumann with Saint Maria Goretti High School that I once attended. The combined school occupies the original all-girls school building at 10th and Moore. Thus the team gets the plural name “Saints.”
As I began to reminisce, I had to mention that I heard that this combined high school no longer offers a mandatory two years of Latin that my whole class had to take. The couple, who happen to be Hispanic, were disappointed to hear that. They correctly pointed out that, besides making English easier to understand, knowing Latin makes it easier to master the Romance languages like Spanish and Italian.
The young man then told me what I should write about in my next letter to the Review. He told me to insist that my now co-ed high school find a Latin teacher. (Sorry, I am too old to take the job.)
I am sure it is difficult and expensive to find qualified teachers for any language, including Latin, but I strongly urge Saints Neumann-Goretti High School to meet this challenge.
As we parted I bid this smart couple, “Valete et pax vobiscum!” OK, I will translate: “Farewell and peace be with you.” And here is my challenge to my old school: “Vadete Sancti.”
Gloria C. Endres
