Circular No 996

 

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 5 December 2020 No. 996

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Dear Friends,

One more request for funds, and the reasoning for this.

For information, here in Venezuela the minimum salary or retirement bonus has changed from, 400.oo usd in 2001, year that I started writing; to 4.oo usd today.

This I am writing just in case you wonder why I am soliciting collaboration.

Yes, it was originally a personal effort because I had lost contact with my classmates and started to publish the Circulars to an original batch of ten classmates of 1960, and it was fun.

Now the fun is out and I require the collaboration for all Mount boys, who have expressed willingness to make the EDITOR´s life easier.

So, open your Santa´s largess and make a donation.

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An article by Toolsie

The Abbey School, Mount Saint Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago 1941-1986.

Abbey boys and their families around the world owe a debt of gratitude to Nigel Boos for compiling a data base rich in detail of members of a fraternity of about 2000 strong.

Scholars from 1941 to 1986, despite living indifferent eras, share a common bond of living and studying on the Mount Saint Benedict.  

In many ways, the Abbey experience we all shared, tracks the evolution on Trinidad and world affairs.

Abbey boys experienced a phase of World War II; the boom of the petroleum industry that propelled Trinidad into “Cold War” consideration; the process of dismantling the U.K.’s colonial empire;

The drive to self determination and independence;

The emergence of the “Black Power” movement to oppose “white supremacy”;

The exploitation of “racial animus” by politicians within black and brown communities.;

The fledging of Trinidad and Tobago first world status and proving “together we can achieve.”

And in 1986 when the last class of our revered Abbey School graduated.

Members of the Abbey school community, our connection to Trinidad and World history can be lost forever unless action is taken.

Nigel Boos, Ladislao Kertesz, Glen McKoy, Glen “Skippy” Schaefer, Neil Charles, Don Mitchell, Keith Allen, Jimmy Samaroo, Garth Alexander, Joseph Habib, Winston Ramsahai, Ian Gomes, Kenney Azizul Mohammed, Joe Berment, Dennis Gurley.  Peter Sammy, Christopher Knowles and others published newsletters; communicated by email, telephone calls; WhatsApp, Facebook and too many fu*King platforms designed to disturb Keith Allen. 

We are also mindful that stalwarts of the Abbey connective tissue, Peter Sammy and Chris Knowles have gone to embrace the lord.

Abbey old boyz experiences were shared by siblings, parents, friends, and colleagues. 

We passed on the numerous stories of our exploits on the mount, embellished and too often repeated to our children. 

“Dad this is about the 15^th time you told that story and the number of runs you scored at Presentation College and its never the same…”

THE ABBEY EXPERIENCE is therefore well beyond the grasp our flawed memories of the shrinking fraternity of Abbey ole boyz; these are now the memories of another generation, some of whom have never been on the Mount.

  Our teachers, too, shared similar experiences from another viewpoint of a moment in time.  I wonder who Llewelyn McIntosh tried to hit pelted that duster at in History class in 1972…my money is on Gerald Khan. 

Did Father Augustine banish more than one student from his French class for being too guttural and being unable to say with a prissy French accent “bonjour mademoiselle.” 

Our teachers were and are linked to Abbey boys. 

And who the hell would mess with Drax’s toiletries.

Joe Berment and Dennis Gurley with the executive ASAA committee have been diligent, and effective stewards of the Abbey Legacy.  

I am confident that over the years, the spent countless hours and energy and personal finances to keep us united. 

It is now time that all concerned with preserving all aspects of the rich Abbey experience join together to maintain or create a hybrid community. 

It is paramount that the community be expanded and all offices open to anyone connected to the mount Saint Benedict.

Toolsie

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3 Oct 2020

MSB - APIARY APPARENTLY BURNS DOWN & A NEW CANCER PEDIATRIC FACILITY IS BEING CONSIDERED TO REPLACE IT

“Rising from ashes”.

This is exactly how Abbot John Pereira OSB referred to news of the burnt apiary at Mt St Benedict now being considered the proposed site for a paediatric cancer facility of the Just Because ‘JB’ Foundation.

“If that is not God’s providence, I do not know what is,” Abbot Pereira told Catholic News.

Brought back memories of a person that we lovingly referred to as “Brother Swa” and how he would react when we “visited” the apiary or “took possession of the mangos in the area” back in our days.   

Recall that a few unlucky guys got stung by the bees while in the area; do not recall their names.

Could not find any information on why and how the apiary and its “residents” were destroyed. 

Perhaps one of our brothers living currently in Trinidad can provide us with the answer.

Let’s hope and pray that Abbot Pereira’s dream will come through.

Your brother in Christ,

George/Jorge/Yury/Shis Mickiewicz

(AS-MSB 1956-1962)

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Being expelled from the Mount was a rare event. 

In my six years there, I can only remember 2 students being expelled.

Please be extra careful and stay healthy, safe and sound,

George

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From: Alan Date

Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2020 7:45 PM

Thx for yr emails, you my seniors among MSB Ol' Boys

1  Fr. Peter: I have only vague memories of him, vague but they were strong enough and positive enough that those memories have come back to me every few years since then, the early 1960s.

I think I went to his funeral, and I think he was / is buried in the li'l cemetery next to the guest house / rest house on the downhill road near the church, true? 

I think he, Fr. Peter, had helped prepare me for my Confirmation at MSB.

2  JB...I wondered, is that a reference to JB Fernades of Vat 19 fame?

Maybe that foundation has been / is big contributor / donor?

PAX!

As in honey

Alan

Cell Canada   +7785879026

Landline USA +6265944294

WhatsApp      +7785879026

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On Sat, Oct 3, 2020 at 2:50 PM

Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks, Shish.

Great idea, but I don’t particularly like the name of the Foundation - “JB” (Just Because??) behind it all.

They could have found another name - perhaps after a Saint, one of the former holier monks at MSB.

I propose “Father Peter” for consideration.

Nigel

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GEORGE MICKIEWICZ  <amickiew@att.net>

Sun, Oct 4 at 6:39 AM

https://www.facebook.com/catholictt

# GoodNews The apiary at the Mount was burnt last February in suspected arson but will now be the proposed space for construction of this new medical facility.

We pray for the success of this project that will bring comfort to so many. Promise House TT Mount St Benedict Abbey…

You may want to check out…and share….the above posting on FB. 

I cancelled my FB membership a few years ago due to security issues and personal privacy concerns.

In addition to Nigel’s and Alan’s responses in the subsequent attachments to this note, here are some additional responses to my e-mail and a posting on WhatsApp:

Andres Larsen:  “I remember when Barrilito sneaked into the apiary one afternoon to steal honey and the Brother who was the apiary keeper surprised him in fraganti. A noisy standoff ensued which attracted us as bystanders and Barrilito hit the Brother with a rock to his head stunning and flooring him. The Brother got up groggy and by that time someone had called Father Theo who immediately came down from the Abbey School, confronted Barrilito and expelled him without further ado ordering him to pack up his belongings and catch a plane back home. That was the first and only time we ever saw something as unbelievable as that.”

Attila Gyuris: “I remember that incident very clearly as I was watching the entire episode from the road above to the refectory. Bro Swa had caught Barrilito in fraglante delicto at the Apiary and was trying to hold him but Barrilito was able wrestle loose and Bro Sea fell down. Then Barrilito indeed hurled a big rock on bro Swa after he fell. “

“Yes it did cause his expulsion. I remember Barrilito as a hothead. He could easily loose his cool quite easily and get into a fight. Maybe it was for the best that he had to leave, otherwise I am sure he would have gotten expelled sooner or later anyway. He was a loose cannon that couldn’t control his anger and he would have hurt someone in school really bad.” 

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idmitch@anguillanet.com

Fri, Nov 27 at 7:18 PM

Thanks, Tim.

You and Gail keep well, too. 

I also think that it is time to bring the Circulars to an end. 

Ladislao may decide to issue one a month, or at some other period. 

But, there just is not enough material for the previous weekly ones.

All the best,

Don

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Tim Mew MHC / APS  <mewhealthcare@bigpond.com>

Fri, Nov 27 at 6:56 PM

Dear MSB friends,

The time will come when Laszlo has to pull the plug.

The years fly, we all get older or die, interest in more fresh news fades and although we will never forget MSB, time catches up.

You both have done an exceptional job well beyond what anyone could have asked for.

In Australia for Remembrance Day the motto has always been and will always be:

 - Lest We Forget.

Many thanks and great appreciation from Tim & wife Gail and all our family.

Sorry we are so far away and sincerely hope that Venezuela will take a turn for the best and that our medical health will improve.

Stay safe and love from us.,

Tim Mew, MSB 1958.

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On 26 Nov 2020, at 9:56 am, <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:

Dear Alumnus, 

Please note that Ladislao urgently wants to hear from you. 

Do you want him to continue with the Circulars after No 1000? 

Correspondence from you that he can use in the Circular is drying up. 

He is having difficulty finding material. 

If you don’t want him to continue the effort, please let him know. 

Best,

Don

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Tim & Gail Mew <timgailmew@gmail.com>

Mon, Sep 14 at 2:29 AM

Hola Laszlo,

We had a French Grenache recently with the name of Xavier from the Cote de Rhone.

I remembered a mount boy Geoffrey Xavier from MSB

Not sure where he is now or if part of the circulars.

Stay well and regards

Tim

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idmitch@anguillanet.com

Fri, Nov 27 at 7:22 PM

Thanks, Tim,

Congratulations on the anniversary. 

You beat Maggie and me by nearly a decade. 

Though we have been a couple since 1968, we married only in 1972. 

So, next year is our 49th if we live so long.

If Ladislao is to use the photo, he will need the names of the two ladies in the photo!!

Best,

Don

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Tim Mew MHC / APS  <mewhealthcare@bigpond.com>

Fri, Nov 27 at 7:03 PM

Our family now numbers 19 in all, when we meet up.

Including our five daughters, all son-in-law’s and five grandsons, two granddaughters and one great granddaughter.

Thanks for the years in communication.

Tim.

Thanks Don and the MSB site inclusion was great as it got through.

But sorry to read of Richard dying in Perth although I cannot recall him.

2020 has been a terrible year.

Happy Christmas and hoping for a much better New Year in 2021.

Tim.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

57RB0001c2, UNKNOWN

20BC0012DOUBLES, Doubles

19LK4009FBDPHWFE, Derek Phillips and wife

17AA0010AAU, Adolfo Aumaitre