Circular No 827

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

Caracas, 9 of September 2017 No. 827

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Dear Friends,

This issue is about the sad news on the death of Fr. Cuthbert van de Sande at the age of 93.

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Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Aug 29 at 2:24 AM

Gentlemen,

Which now includes Dr George "Pud” Laquis and Ronald Hadeed. Gentlemen, please forgive the earlier omission.

Please find Abbot John's memorial to Fr. Cuthbert's life and service, so far. One thing we can be certain of is that much more will certainly follow.

Rev. Fr. Cuthbert van de Sande, OSB 

18 August 1924 to 28 August 2017 

(93 years of age) 

On 30 October 1945, the young Jan van de Sande (later to be known as Fr. Cuthbert) made the firm decision to join the community of monks at Mount St. Benedict in Trinidad. This was partly on the encouragement of Fr. Radboud van de Plas. Fr. Radboud was once a Benedictine monk of the monastery in Trinidad, and Jan met him at a crucial time while he was discerning a call to the religious life.

Almost two years later on 19 February 1947, along with another young Dutchman, Peter Schreurs (later to be known as Fr. Augustine), he landed on the shores of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Jan was born in Noordorp (province of Luid-Holland) on 18 August 1924. During the time of Adolph Hitler and the German occupation of Holland, the Gestapo was capturing young boys of school age to work in their factories in Germany. Jan grew up on a farm, and would sometimes hide in the loft of the barn under the hay to avoid being captured. There was an underground network which informed the young men in his village when the Germans were coming. It was very hard for Jan and his family during the war years. It was difficult to obtain food, especially in the winter as there was no electricity or oil. They only got a bit of a reprieve after the Germans were finally defeated to bring the war to an end. 

Jan was a student at the Priests of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Bergen op Zoom from 1937 until 1943, when his formation was interrupted by the Second World War. All the students were sent to their homes. At home, Jan received instructions from a private teacher who got milk and butter for his services. Jan was strongly influenced by his farming family background. He still had to receive instructions in Latin and Greek, which were requirements for Ordination to the Priesthood. All this time, he was trying as well to avoid being taken to Germany to work in the factories under Hitler. The war came to an end in May and the same private teacher knew about a course for Latin and Greek being given in the Hague, which he recommend to Jan and which was being offered by the Jesuits, beginning in September 1945. 

After Jan began school, the Head of the Institute asked him what type of priestly activity he was seeking. Jan replied that he wanted to go to the Missions, but in a place where he would be able to spend a life of prayer and community. The Head the Institute suggested three options. One option was to go to a place in the direction of Curacao, which immediately appealed to Jan. After a week of prayer and reflection, Jan returned to see the priest with his decision. The priest then told him to go to a Village (Wassenaaar), where he could ask for an elderly missionary, who lived there with his two sisters. The same evening, which was also the birthday of his sister, Gre, he set off (much to her disappointment) for his meeting with fate. 

In the Village, Jan was directed to the priest who spoke to him in glowing terms of his life as a monk in Trinidad at Mount St. Benedict. He had to return to Holland after many years in Trinidad on account of his health (the glare of the tropics was blinding him) and he always regretted not being able to return to the Mount. He was Fr. Radboud wan de Plas and he had always hoped that someone would take his place in that community. It was exactly at this moment in his life that Jan decided there and then to join the monastery of Mount St Benedict in Trinidad. 

Fr Cuthbert always considered that day at the true beginning of his monastic vocation, and today, we can all say that after a life lived to the age of ninety-three years, he has been faithful and has been able to persevere in the joy of the monastic life."

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In an earlier post Dennis Gurley had this to say:

Dear Jo, Alumni and Friends;

Fr. Cuthbert was a great man, priest and scout master. He was possessed of a gentle disposition, he identified with the emotional needs of the boys of all ages, yet he was an inspiring leader and motivator. I shall remember “Cutty” as a friend and an educator of life. He left an indelible mark and is partly responsible for whatever early success I may have enjoyed in my career and lifetime journey.

May he rest in peace.

Regards,

Dennis Gurley,

An Old Boy

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Anthony Lucky also commented:

I received the sad news I am not in Trinidad 

Will get in touch when I return next week

I visited the monastery last Thursday 

Regards to all

May He rest in peace

Anthony

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Peter Sammy describes his premonition thus:

Strange but I belong to a prayer group and I posted this prayer at about 3:00PM before hearing the news of his passing:

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Lord we pray for peace of mind for those who have fought the good fight, who have run the straight race who await your voice calling them into your presence. We knew them in their strength and were blessed to be touched by their love. It is difficult for us to see them in this last trial Lord strengthen them and strengthen us. Amen

I thought of him at that time.

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Fr. Harold who saw him within an hour of his passing had this to share.

"I prayed with our dear Cutty this afternoon at the Monastery and about an hour later he passed peacefully into the Lord's arms around 2:45pm

May he rest in Eternal Peace."

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On Mon, 28 Aug 2017 at 19:38,

Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com> wrote:

Adding Jim Ross and Rory Davies to the group. Sorry, gentlemen.

Sincerely,

Joe

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On Mon, 28 Aug 2017 at 18:45,

Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:

How very sad. 

I was never close to him in all my years at Mount, since we had no interests in common.

As I observed him from a distance I thought him a bit quaint in both his gait and his manner of expression. 

But, I always knew he was one of those rare creatures, a kind person.

May he rest in peace.

Don

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From: Joseph Berment-McDowald

Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 4:36 PM

My Brothers Fr. Cuthbert, "Cutty" Juan Van de Sande has gone to his eternal rest.

Your prayers for the progress of his soul.

Please tell as many of the others as you can.

Yours Sincerely,

Joe

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On Mon, 28 Aug 2017 at 14:50,

Paschal Jordan <paschaljordan@gmail.com> wrote:

Just got a phone call from the nurse in the Infirmary - 2.45 p.m. - to say that Fr. Cuthbert has just died.

Paschal

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Kazim Abasali <empowerwithart@gmail.com>

Aug 29 at 6:38 AM

It is with a heart of gratitude for all that you Fr. Cuthbert did for us as students, and a sense of loss, that you are no longer with us on this earthly plane.

However, your teachings live on as instructions that has served us and will continue to serve us as long as we too shall live.

May you rest in peace, good and faithful servant of God.

....Kazim

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Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

Aug 29 at 4:40 PM

Thank you, Kazim, for informing me about the death of our dear Fr. Cuthbert, and thanks too, for the synopsis of his life.

Cutty was a gentle, meek soul, with no ill-will towards anyone, but with the desire to know each of the boys who attended school at MSB. He led a quiet prayerful life and was an inspiration to many of us, who were privileged to know him.

He has now gone home to his Maker, and we now have another intercessor with God.

May he rest in peace.

Nigel Boos

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Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Aug 28 at 6:57 PM

Adding "Jimmy" Samaroo and "Specks" to the tread. Sorry, gentlemen, for the earlier omission. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Joseph Berment-McDowald  <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Aug 28 at 4:40 PM

My Brothers Fr. Cuthbert, "Cutty" Juan Van de Sande has gone to his eternal rest. Your prayers for the progress of his soul. Please tell as many of the others as you can.

Yours Sincerely,

Joe

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16-05-2017 18:54:18: M Kenny Azizul: On Facebook can u ask them for their numbers and explain to them Y

16-05-2017 19:01:02: M Coscarart Salvador: Ok ill do so. take care.

02-06-2017 16:06:58: M Kenny Azizul: What's this

02-06-2017 16:07:38: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Thanks to Jimmy Samaroo. Garth Alexander . Yunnus Ali . Joe Berment food to Venezuela Partial list only Frank Malavar will collect in Guiria and distribute in collaboration with Kertez Corn beef Sausages Sugar Cereals like granola grains Cooking oil Soap Shampoo Toothpaste Maggie soup mix Flour Red beans Black beans Brown sugar not white Men deodorant Powdered milk

02-06-2017 16:22:29: M Kenny Azizul: Winston do u mean here

02-06-2017 16:23:57: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Yes post pics ketrez will track movement on this chat Faria and Toddy purchased Frank.Malabar airfare  to Trinidad for transporting medicine Joe Berment

C/o Omega Pest Management, Unit 6 Midland Centre, 1 Cyrus Trace El'Socorro, South, San Juan, Trinidad W.I., Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. 6788731 Aziz spoke to Joe he will receive goods and ship to Guiria

02-06-2017 16:35:19: M Kenny Azizul: Ok I will talk to Kertesz

02-06-2017 16:38:56: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Azizul shipment from USA to Venezuela ...We in TT have to send via Guiria no Fed ex or cargo operating in Venezuela Thanks Azizul .... Be Blessed

02-06-2017 16:43:31: M Kenny Azizul: I was told that shipments to Venezuela has been stopped for the time being and I would really like Ladislao to get this this stuff has been stuck in Miami at Ladislao nephew any suggestions please let Ladislao know so he can get this stuff

02-06-2017 16:45:36: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Welcome Joe Berment it's a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela

02-06-2017 16:48:40: M Kenny Azizul: Humanitarian crisis or not we as a group go back almost 45-50 years we have a special bond And Ladislao with his personal expenses kept us together as a group with his newsletter So That's why

02-06-2017 16:51:45: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Agreed

02-06-2017 16:51:52: M Kenny Azizul: We make those efforts

02-06-2017 16:52:43: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: This chat group should expand focus on relief Add Dr Bratt ....kertesz sent no

02-06-2017 17:25:08: M Kenny Azizul: Hey Winston can u refresh my memory on Bratt

02-06-2017 17:32:10: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: That's Kertesz classmate

02-06-2017 18:27:25: M Alexander Garth: Thanks Winston I was on a urgent call...

02-06-2017 18:29:37: Ladislao: Dr. David Bratt is a well-known pediatrician in TT.  Writes regularly in the newspaper and has

02-06-2017 18:29:42: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: Appreciate you and Jimmy and Yunnus contributions: And Joe Berment

04-06-2017 09:39:58: Ladislao: Buenos dias amigos del grupo.  Alguien me pregunto ayer sobre los diferente grupos de OLDBOYS ya que no sabia donde informarse.  En los momentos hay cuatro grupos donde recibo información en mi celular.  Este grupo MSB se creo para informar sobre la fecha de los almuerzos que teníamos mensualmente. Y otros acontecimientos de información personal. En este grupo están los que viven en Venezuela y podrían asistir a un almuerzo.

04-06-2017 09:40:40: Ladislao: El segundo grupo en Venezuela lo maneja arturo zavarce y consiste de OLDBOYS y corresponsales regados por todo el país para recopilar información de los acontecimientos dia a dia. Arturo y otros oldboys se han esmerado en mantener la información veraz. Aqui es donde puedes enviar todo concerniente a la lucha por la libertad y servicio público.

04-06-2017 09:41:07: Ladislao: El tercer grupo es el creado por Salvador Coscarart llamado ABBEY BOYS, en Houston. Este grupo trata de conglomerar información internacional y incluye a muchos Trinitarios y otros. Esta enfocado a que los alumno se encuentren y a la  ayuda humanitaria como medicina y comida a los oldboys venezolanos en necesidad.  Se buscan sponsors para los envíos.

04-06-2017 09:41:35: Ladislao: El cuarto grupo lo manejan los oldboys Trinitarios y se llama VENEZUELA RELIEF. Este grupo es netamente humanitario y ha logrado mandar comida, etc. De Trinidad a Guiria como medicinas a través de personas que vuelan a Venezuela.

04-06-2017 09:43:14: Ladislao: Se me acabo el aliento y todavia me falta mandar los circulares semanales. Ayudenme

04-06-2017 09:44:29: Ladislao: I shall translate the information I sent further on.

07-06-2017 14:10:47: M Alexander Garth: Guys food stuff arrived in Guiria safely awaiting Frank to pick up and distribute let me know what can be done to improve the process of distribution in the future Regards Garth...

07-06-2017 15:45:49: M Coscarart Salvador: Good to hear all is working good.

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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:

14UN0001FCUFOD, Fr. Cuthbert Fr. Odo´s mass

03UN0001EVEGRP, Fr. Cuthbert and unknown

16LK2356FBFHAFCU, Fr. Harold and Fr. Cuthbert

06WK0059FAPFCU, Fr. Abbot Pereira and Fr. Cuthbert