Circular No 816

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

Caracas, 24 June 2017 No. 816

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Dear Friends,

In the last circular, I mentioned the methods that I am using to get information.

Pleases help me with the names on the photos.

I have screwed up on two guys and these were replaced in the Blog after being notified.

Have a look at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxorhPuE1CY&feature=youtu.be

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Jorge Iwaszkiewicz <jjmiwaszkiewicz@hotmail.com>

Jun 18 at 9:54 PM

Hi Ladislao:

Just wanted to bring everyone up-to-date on our visit with Deacon Vince and his wife Merlene on June 7, 2015.

After an interesting and very rainy/stormy trip across Florida Everglades we managed to get to St. Petersburg.

Of course we got a bit lost as his address would not show up on our GPS so we finally called them and they came to find us.

It was very close to where they live.

Deacon Vince is recovering very nicely from his heart issue under the wonderful care of Merlene.

It was quite an emotional moment to see and visit our 92 year old Deacon Vince and his lovely wife Merlene.

We spent about 2 hours with them reminiscing of our Mount days, talking about what transpired after we left our different routes.

Seems Deacon Vince went to Brazil for a few years where his son was born and after a while he returned to Trinidad where he undertook a great project to convince the Bishop to set up a Deacon program.

This is the one the Mount “Knights” helped out a while ago.

Later on he immigrated to the US and worked a s a Deacon (following several years of training).

Now at his tender age of 92 and following his heart attack he is recovering very well and he is slowly able to move his left arm and fortunately his memory was not too affected.

After our chit chat and remembering the “good old” days he started to remember all our nicknames for our dear priests!

Had a good laugh and seemed more cheerful.

He has a very nice and big house with a huge backyard which he is starting to re-enjoy with many fruit trees and mango trees all over.

I had the chance to ask him for a few “Julie” mangoes and they were delicious!.

Both Deacon Vince and Merlene send their regards to all the brotherly Mount “Knights” and for your prayers!

Have posted some photos of our visit.

All the best to all…………..

PS: he is writing his memoires and is almost finished! I signed up for my early copy once it is printed!!!           

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Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>

Jun 11 at 4:37 PM

Hi, Kazim,

In my case, I sometimes wonder what bugs are burrowing away at some vital organ unseen below the surface. Recently, I notice a distinct shrinking of my brain bandwidth.  Increasingly, when I go downstairs to fetch something, I have to go back upstairs empty handed just to try to remember what it was I originally went downstairs for. I am convinced that my brain is dissolving even faster than my body is.

I have revised and re-signed my last will, including the firm instructions “No resuscitation”. I hope all of us Old Boys have done our last will and testament. It saves our loved ones so much of the grief and worry that is the inevitable accompaniment when we bow out of the stage for the last time. I have known even senior lawyers to pass away without having taken this simple precaution. It is very inconsiderate to the family to die without a last will.

I have signed and notarised my “living will”, my instruction that under no circumstances am I to be kept on any kind of life-support. When that organ goes, let the rest of me go with it. I am ready. As for my ashes, they are to be sprinkled out of the car window onto the road on the way back to the eats and drinks after the cremation. I want nothing complicated left to be done with my remains when I finally shut my eyes.

Meanwhile, skål, as they say in your part of the world. Let us lift the glass in celebration of what remains of life!

Don

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From: Kazim Abasali

Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 3:49 PM

Subject: Re: Road to Recovery for Sal Coscarart | Medical Expenses - YouCaring

I just posted on our MSB Facebook Group as well.

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On Sun, Jun 11, 2017 at 9:39 PM,

Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:

Hello, Salvador,

What a state of affairs! I am so sorry to hear of this development. Now I know why you went silent for the past several months, and why I stopped hearing from you.

I researched the illnesses, and I am very relieved to read that, with treatment, the situation is not extreme. I wish you good luck with it, and hope to see you bouncing back in short order.

Get better soon.

Don

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Glen G. McKoy

12 June at 16:13

OK Sir Kaz

When you going down to Trinidad?

My mum just went down, so I have to go in due course.

I will be there for meet & greet, maybe Oct.

It would be nice to have a retreat up the hill.

Sir Kaz, I have my own place, in the heart of town, a two bedrooms, One bedroom for the Club ha! ha!

However, we must rekindle the fire, like what's going on, with the Home Chapter.

Any up and coming events or reunions?

I would like to find out, more about Fr. Benedict photos, for a book. about the impact, that the Abbey School Boys made, in Trinidad & around the world.

If you play musician, we will be jamming.

Cheers Glen.

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13-03-2017 18:11:58: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: How far is Bequia from trinidad. One the nurses that was taking care of me was from there.

13-03-2017 18:29:39: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: Salvador Bequia is the first of the Grenadines when you leave St. Vincent. Do you know the name of the nurse? The reason I ask is because the population is only about 8000 so everybody generally knows each other.

13-03-2017 18:31:54: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: I have 2 cousins from there that are nurses but they are in Tennessee I believe.

13-03-2017 20:30:31: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Ian we called that arranged marriage Indian style

13-03-2017 20:31:51: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Aziz Toddy advise ....  the one who connect the two is called the NAU

13-03-2017 20:36:00: Mt Berment Joseph: I would prefer to be the Lookanee

13-03-2017 20:37:44: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Oh nooooooo Joe you are banned from the bedroom

13-03-2017 20:39:05: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Aziz have to explain the Hindi  interpretation to Salvador

13-03-2017 20:40:09: Mt Berment Joseph: Winston, You sound like my wife.

13-03-2017 20:44:16: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Ha ha you get caught

13-03-2017 20:44:42: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: U guys lost me I was not paying attention wat we talking about

13-03-2017 20:45:31: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Ian is making a fix up for Salvador

13-03-2017 20:45:41: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Hey Winston I am coming down in 2 weeks for the weekend maybe we can meet for a few

13-03-2017 20:46:06: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Hey Ian can u fix me up too

13-03-2017 20:46:21: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Have some El Dorado to finish

13-03-2017 20:46:34: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Ok

13-03-2017 20:46:46: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Ian got a retirement job

13-03-2017 20:52:21: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: Big catch Enrique sure it was fun pulling him in great memories

13-03-2017 20:53:15: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: I. Mayaro all we catch is catfish

13-03-2017 21:03:43: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: It's amazing

13-03-2017 21:39:15: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Don't like catfish... too ugly

13-03-2017 21:45:17: Mt Ramsahai 99Winston: It bite

14-03-2017 12:16:09: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Ian the name of the nurse is Lucinda Hercules she works at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in Katy Texas. She is also married and she did go to mt st benedict to visit

14-03-2017 12:51:38: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: How do u get to beauties from Trinidad, only been there on a boat

14-03-2017 12:51:49: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: Bequia

14-03-2017 12:54:23: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Stuck at home snow storm

14-03-2017 13:15:29: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Stuck in the beach

14-03-2017 13:27:21: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: i'd rather be stuck at the beach.

14-03-2017 13:27:36: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: beautiful beach

14-03-2017 13:28:28: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: jajajajajaj

14-03-2017 15:36:08: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: Stuck in the sand u mean

14-03-2017 15:43:53: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: Sunny and warm in Florida

14-03-2017 15:46:05: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: It taste like chicken

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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:

17JI1540JIWBVIWFE, George Iwaszkiewicz, Bro. Vincent and Wife

17JI1541JIWBVIWFE, George Iwaszkiewicz, Wife and Bro. Vincent

68SC0101PARROTS, Parrots troop

17LK9458FBTTA, Tilson Tang

Circular No 815

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

Caracas, 17 June 2017 No. 815

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Dear Friends,

We are having lots of difficulties here in Venezuela as you must have read in the newspapers and internet.

I did not want to bother you before but each day we are traversing more difficulties in obtaining adequate food supplies.

As coordinator and editor, I know and have met a few oldboys here in Venezuela who are having difficulties because there are no jobs, and much less for men of their age.  And their situation is dire.

Through humanitarian relief, a group of Trinidadian oldboys have banded together to send food to these oldboys.

The process has been to gather the necessary funds and then purchase basic food and personal toilette items.

These are being taken to Chaguaramas TT and shipped to Guiria Venezuela by boat that makes regular runs a couple of times a week.  We know the particulars of the boat’s captain.

Then the boxes are picked up by one of the recipients and taken to Maturin, El Tigre and Ciudad Bolivar.

In Maturin the shipment is broken up into individual portions, as possible.

This aid must be repeated as the food situation gets more difficult, and the shutting down of local suppliers and the poor management of the government’s free supplies.  Hope you can join in the supply chain.

The main contacts are: the ASAA in Trinidad, through Joe Berment, and Winston Ramsahai.

Those living in the States or worldwide, can contact me for the best solution.

Due to the largeness of an oldboy from the States I have receive a parcel myself.

This shipment contained grains, etc and high protein food for persons of the third and fourth age like myself and these are shipped from Miami, where we have a collaborator who buys the food items at wholesalers and packs the box.  It is a door to door delivery.

I am looking for a donor for a guy in the Maracaibo area; he is around 78 years old, Class 1958.  This must be shipped from the Sates in the door to door fashion, so to make sure that it is delivered.

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Here is the first detailed article that I have received on Fr. Bernard, capturing the essence of the man.  Since this is the most difficult aspect in writing about a person, Rafael has captured the personality to a fine detail, wonderful testimony for posterity.

I would like to hear comments, another opinion, how about it, Wayne!

I hope that this resume could be expanded to other priests and members of the MSB community in future Circulars.

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From: "Rafael Echeverria G." <reglaw@netuno.net.ve>

Date: 26 Oct 10:17 (PST)

Dear Ladislao.

First of all let me confirm my deep regret in not being able to meet with you for lunch during your last visit to Maracaibo last Thursday. I promise I will be contacting you when I go to Caracas next time.

I have been deeply touched by Fr. Bernard's Eulogy.  It brought me back memories of what Fr. Bernard meant to me.  Of how much he taught me.

WHAT FATHER BERNARD MEANT TO ME.-

He was always the silent ... but always a present ... authority. It was not necessary for him to be present anywhere or at any time in particular for all of us to know that we would never wished to have to confront him if we failed to do things the right way. I remember how much Norman Smith and myself made jokes about him. Laughing at the nickname everybody knew him by. But we all knew that in spite of that Fr. Bernard ... Our HEADMASTER ... had our full and deep respect.

Father Bernard taught me how to face the truth. He taught me a lot about honesty. Honesty with myself. I dare say that his being so severe was based precisely in making me confront myself and with my own weaknesses and mistakes. Fr. Bernard would make sure that I would do anything in my power to correct myself. And if I failed in trying, he would take care of things. The hard way. He would always call me to put my feet on earth as I pretended to make The Beatles a substitution for my Mathematics and English Literature. He taught me to laugh at myself. I was a dreamer.

He made me appreciate the love for my Father (Don Rafael Echeverría). He always talked to me about my father's professional and political merits as a thinker. I will never forget his teachings about strength of character. Very especially as our Director in the Play "A Man for All Season".

To receive the notification of having to appear at his Desk, was always an incredible feeling of challenge, and fear. It was not easy to stand to his eyes looking at you over the rim of his thin glasses while asking you whatever he wanted to know or whatever he wanted to stress in your heart. Fr. Bernard taught me how stupid one can be by being selfish and conceited. He taught the greatness of facing the truth no matter how painful it was the price to be paid. He made me stronger by making me suffer in confronting myself. It was a challenge to face Fr. Bernard.

As my Religion Teacher, he took things very seriously and exposed me to shame - a couple of times - when falling asleep in his classes. My mind would just jump when hearing his voice "... Rafael ...." almost as a whisper from his teacher's desk. Then I would open my eyes having to confront the whole class ... and his eyes ... once again ... looking straight at me over the rim of his thin glasses ... and smiling ... with holy patience.

That episode - and others he provoked - made me feel so incredibly stupid, and taught me so much.

He always put me to the challenge. The challenge of confronting myself and my miseries. He taught me the value of honour.

The last time I saw him was in Caracas, I remember him so well while driving down Av. Luis Roche in Altamira. He looked healthy and strong with excellent humour. I was with Kendrik Allum in his car and Father Bernard - after a brief and pleasant conversation - exploded with laughter and told me "You are still the same philosopher Rafael" .... He laughed so much. He asked me lots of questions about my plans for the future. It was heaven talking to him.

He was my HEADMASTER. He was my friend. I love him. I will never forget him. I regret not being closer to him during his last years. How can I ever honour him enough ? How can I make my wife, children and grandchildren know how much he meant to me ? How can I make all of them understand that the person which I am now ... whatever or whoever I am ... I owe him in a great and important part ... to him ... Father Bernard ... my HEADMASTER at The Abbey School of Mount St. Benedict.

Father Bernard meant my whole life to me. He taught me to Love Christ. He made me a Christian. He made me a Mount Boy. He made me a man.

I guess the best way to honour him is never to forget him and live every day following his example. His heroism.

I will try my best ... while I imagine his eyes looking at me over the rim of his thin glasses ... with a smile.

Rafael (CheChe)

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12-03-2017 14:08:57: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Yes.... we are here

12-03-2017 14:12:46: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Kiko, Frank como estan, q bueno q pudieron reunirse

12-03-2017 14:14:15: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Es Pedro de Florida

12-03-2017 14:16:03: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Hablando de ti en estos momentos...coño tenemos q vernos todos

12-03-2017 14:17:21: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Has dicho la verdad

12-03-2017 14:18:17: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Como la estan pasando grandes carajos

12-03-2017 14:19:58: Mt Ramsahai Winston: Send  a pic of the resort lots of beautiful people

12-03-2017 14:21:37: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: You mean women

12-03-2017 14:24:45: M Moffie Edgar: Pedro...saludos...como estas???..... como anda todo???......

12-03-2017 14:25:27: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Pedro tenemos que poner fecha y sitio

12-03-2017 14:26:26: M Moffie Edgar: Kiko..Frank...espero la esten pasando bien....grandes carajos....

12-03-2017 14:31:16: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Bien EDGAR sigues en Maturin?

12-03-2017 14:32:34: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Luego mandamos fotos

12-03-2017 14:33:56: M Moffie Edgar: Eso es correcto...en los momentos estoy de visita en casa paterna en el tigre...con mama y mi hermana

12-03-2017 14:34:05: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Si kiko otro dia hablamos , por ahora gozen tu y Frank

12-03-2017 14:35:05: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Dale mis saludos EDGAR

12-03-2017 14:36:02: M Moffie Edgar: Seguro siempre preguntan por ti y Salvador....cuidate mucho y estamos en contacto....

12-03-2017 14:36:36: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Ok

12-03-2017 15:03:15: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Disfruten y se toman una cervecita bien fría

12-03-2017 18:26:25: M Alfredo Montiel Bezara: Excelente ! Qué maravilla verlos nuevamente..... El Embajador se llama Enrique Zanelli !!!  Un abrazo a todos !! ????

12-03-2017 18:54:09: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Beautiful pictures my friends

12-03-2017 18:57:04: M Moffie Edgar: Y pensar que carnaval ya paso que viejos tiempos recuerdan el Queens park savana y otros???... que lo disfruten mis hermanos....

12-03-2017 21:18:47: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Muy bonita la foto. Dos Abbey Boys together again after 45 years

12-03-2017 22:29:06: Mt Ramsahai Winston: The men spoil the pictures too much belly

12-03-2017 22:29:39: Mt Ramsahai Winston: Regards to the boss

13-03-2017 14:35:34: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Excellent fishing in Punta Cana, sail fish and a white marlin within 15 mins of ea...Frank hooked us up with a great Captain...

13-03-2017 14:37:15: Mt Berment Joseph: So who caught the fish: the captain?

13-03-2017 14:38:27: ?+507 6228-0660?: Kiko just got in the picture

13-03-2017 14:40:57: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Jealous...

13-03-2017 14:41:20: ?+507 6228-0660?: you are correct.....jajajajajajaaja saludos

13-03-2017 14:58:57: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Awesome

13-03-2017 15:01:42: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Bring some home to bbq.

13-03-2017 16:20:24: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: That's the fish I use for bait

13-03-2017 16:30:48: ?+507 6228-0660?: whale fishing

13-03-2017 17:19:07: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: I caught one once and it took the sea 2 weeks to fill the hole in the sea it came out of.

13-03-2017 17:20:45: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: So how many whales did u ever caught

13-03-2017 17:21:37: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: Going Bequia for Easter and will get whale to eat.??

13-03-2017 17:22:06: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Take Neil with u

13-03-2017 17:22:32: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: No way. I greedy.??

13-03-2017 17:22:51: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: Going to exercise later folks.

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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:

68SC0100PARROTS, Parrots Patrol

17LK4659FBCDGWFE, Christopher de Gannes

78LK2844FBADE, Alain Devaux

13LK8559FBGAN, Gerard Anderson