Circular No 829

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

Caracas, 23 of September 2017 No. 829

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Dear Friends,

Emails follow.

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Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

Sep 17 at 10:51 PM

Hi Don,

What an awful experience this must have been for you and Maggie and for all those folks living on Anguilla and the other islands so badly damaged by hurricane Irma! Thank God you have survived it and are still able to communicate with us to let us know of your situation. I cannot begin to appreciate the pain and suffering you have already gone through and are still having to cope with. Jackie and I certainly admire your courage and perseverance and we wish you both and all the people of Anguilla a speedy recovery from this devastation all around you.

George has already asked whether it would help to ship you one or two generators once the necessary transportation services have been restored, and I second the suggestion. If however, there are any other significant steps we might take to help your situation, please let us know your priorities, so we can attempt to take action.

With every good wish and blessing for the future.

Nigel

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In memoriam Rev. Fr. Cuthbert van de Sande, OSB

18 August 1924 to 28 August 2017

Totemic:  to·tem (tō′təm):- - A venerated emblem or symbol:

Today we celebrate the life of a man who became a mountain. An irrepressible spirit that dwelled amongst us in this world but somehow of another. He had that rare quality of being loved by many and using that influence to reconcile and bring together different social, economic, geographical and ethnic interests - - the great integrator.

We the old boys of the former Abbey School remember him also as a great encourager, a people builder, a life coach. If he thought that you had the potential, it wasn't unusual for him to give you a job that you were certain that you weren't ready for and couldn't do. Some of us did well: In my case, I did the best that I could and pushed myself as hard as I could out of devotion to him and to prove that the trust and investment in time and care was truly appreciated: equally so to prove the doubters and sceptics (some of who were certain that his projects would fail) wrong. So, I became, school prefect, Patrol Leader and then Scout Leader, of the Second Mount St Benedict Scout Troop, Head of Residence, English and woodwork teacher, at the former Abbey School, and Assistant HQ Commissioner at the National Scout Association, mirroring his own experience of being given various appointments at the Abbey over the years and being equally "ready.

It is noteworthy that some of the best teachers at the Abbey School had the most minimal credentials in the subject areas of their instruction, disproving the panacea of a rush to certification which seems the only accepted route to legitimisation at the present time and proving the power of commitment and dedication. He had a favourite refrain. "Try again: don't give up". 

In my particular case, his intervention was most timely. There was no one else to do it. To many including myself and the boys who were practically abandoned to the school he became a surrogate father (even to those whose parents couldn't or wouldn't pay the school fees) and we remember him for his many acts of service, his countless considerations,  kindnesses, acts of charity and love. Indeed, for some at that time he was the only father that we had and the Abbey School a central part of our family, if not the only family  that we knew.  We remain to this day (as much as sixty years later, in some cases) a community. "Stay" together he urged us (as he would families) "do not let differences divide you".

As Group Scout Leader he was a phenomenon he fused the scout programme (as far as practical) into the school programme believing that even if a boy was unable to gain a single pass in any examination subject that that fact should not prevent him from becoming a useful, upright citizen, capable of being a good father and husband, earning a decent living and contributing to society and that scouting was indispensable to producing that outcome.

He was the great improviser when we didn't have a scout band master he became it. When we didn't have a music teacher between himself and Peter Sammy along with Peter's recorder we had a musical repertoire that was warmly received by our hosts in Holland. Long before the UTT was launched he advocated for what he described as practical universities and skills training programmes, recognizing the usefulness to society and the economy of having artisanal training (applied technology) and that our failure to recognise and nurture the intelligence of the tradesperson remained an obstacle to our country's progress and an obstacle in the way of many individuals attempts to achieve their personal best: So, at one time the Abbey School was paired with the St. Bede's Vocational School to become Mount St. Benedict Comprehensive. In this respect, he was Professor Ken Julien's predecessor. I remember him explaining how necessary practical training, certification, regulation, inspection and oversight is in several occupations which we assume anyone should be able to do. We ain't reach there yet.

This was a totemic man of many deeds and works. On my way to his funeral I passed homes belonging to humble labourers which the credit union which he founded funded and/or built at a time when many in the middle income groups were unable to afford a home. I remember also his  optimism, enterprise and  industry which is celebrated today by the yogurt shop. 45 years ago (at least) he created opportunity for those like myself by having us sell honey, Mount Bread, handmade greeting cards, miniature steel pans, grass brooms and pastell presses, the last four of which we made ourselves. He knew the value of a good brand - - PAX, scouting and The Abbey School. He understood understood strategic targeting (possibly from having to sell the milk from his family farm) our two highest sales volume locations were Hilo PAP and St. Augustine. We presented ourselves at month end, well groomed, in scout uniform politely asking if "Mam would be so kind to consider purchasing a jar of honey or a loaf of the best bread in T&T" - - it was an irresistible formula. The Second Mount Scouts must have had the most substantial pool of earned income amongst its peers in T&T and I won't be surprised if it was larger than all the rest. He infused a culture of success (so necessary for facing life's challenges) into us.

It is one thing to have promise, necessary to its survival however is nurture, which he provided an abundance of.

On a personal level, I have to credit him with bringing two people with separate needs together, using the intermediary of the credit union to help me own a property at what was then my most difficult hour. When the going got tough he employed an innovative financing solution, way ahead of what is commonplace even now in local mortgage lending, which yet may have produced the same result for the financial institution.

Always optimistic, enterprising and industrious, compassionate to the poor, those hard done by, by circumstances and the penitent estranged from the Sacraments searching to reclaim his relationship with God and the Church - - some practical compromise that somehow recognised reality could be found. He understood the passion in the lives of ordinary people and frequently commiserated their defence. Long before I heard the words liberal and theologian joined together so comfortably as it is now, he demonstrated how both could be carefully married in a way that respected the rules yet encouraged the separated, despondent and alienated. In this respect he was Pope Francis' predecessor.

His personal habits should not be forgotten he was frugal with himself to the point of austerity. He hated waste and pretentiousness; kept regular habits; didn't smoke; whenever possible, woke and slept at the same time; ate the same small portion daily and was unostentatious in dress and possessions. He demonstrated an outstanding, morally upright character and was careful to set the best example for us to follow. He had a passion for avoiding waste to the extent that the boys who ate together in the refractory knew better than to ask for more food when there were scraps of food or drink in the serving ware, on their plate or in their cups. When the unsuspecting made the mistake they were so humbled by his uncharacteristic belligerence that they seldom asked again before making sure that the last morsel was eaten. This frugality extended even to the waste of space. I remember approaching him excitedly to report that we needed more transport to go to a camp after I had proudly packed the scout kit all by myself only to be shown how the bus could hold everything that I had packed and still hold six or eight scouts with a squeeze - - lesson well learnt.

He could be deeply subversive and totally irreverent towards those who used office for the sake of hubris or imposed authority where there seemed no need to or justification. The rules were always for man: man was not for the rules. From him I learnt how to hide in plain sight and that sometimes it was necessary to bend or ignore the rules to serve a greater good - - a useful ability when trying to evade the Gestapo.

The fact that he, a White Dutchman, dared to teach West Indian history immediately after the Black Power Revolution and deal with the interrogation that followed from us without losing his credibility should sufficiently demonstrate that he was no coward: but again, it was a measure of the man. We never spoke of it but, my intuition tells me that it was a job that was thrust on him. Possibly, there was no one else to do it and ready or not it just had to be done. "A scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties". I did well in my O'level History exam and still read history to this day.

He had an extraordinary insight into the lives of working people, I suppose gleaned in part from his life "underground" in his native Holland as a young man hiding from the Gestapo, helping on the family farm (what miracles could be wrought from  grass and cows!), studying possibly surreptitiously for his religious vocation, and fist hand working as the monastery Works and Estate Manager, observing or listening in the parlour to the trials, tribulations and experiences of those who struggle to maintain their dignity, feed themselves and/or families, put a shelter over their heads and pay the bills, equally so the comfortable and well-to-do "broken" by life's experiences, including many who may have felt unloved and unwanted, which some of us at the former Abbey School felt that we were. He choose to understand people as normal mortals with weaknesses, responding to their circumstances, judging their intents and motives generously encouraging them to dream of being better, rather than condemning them for their failures and shortcomings. "The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy" I was utterly flabbergasted that he was able to understand my own intimate circumstances in a way that no one else seemed to be capable of, at one of the lowest points in my life.

"You are a priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek of old."! Yours is truly a "holy priesthood, a royal priesthood". Bless you!

So, Fr. Cuthbert van de Sande, Jan, "Cutty", Dear Friend, we thank you for your life and service and we borrow from Khalil Gibran in The Prophet as we imagine your last words, before your last breath:

"Forget not that I shall come back to you.

A little while, and my longing shall gather dust and foam for another body.

A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, and another woman shall bear me.

Farewell to you and the youth I have spent with you.

It was but yesterday we met in a dream.

You have sung to me in my aloneness, and I of your longings have built a tower in the sky."

Adieu!  Until we all rise and be together again, once more.

Joseph Berment

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12-08-2017 08:29:11: M Luongo Humberto: Gracias Attila y buenos dias. Voy a explorar eso a ver en qué resulta. No soy muy ducho en la materia.. Creo más bien que un verdadero lego Saludos. Un abrazo

12-08-2017 08:40:41: Mt Berment Joseph: Each Friday night after work, Ramsingh would fire up his outdoor grill and cook wild meat. But, all of Ramsingh's neighbors were Catholic, and since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on Good Friday. The grilled wild meat aroma was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest. The priest came to visit Ramsingh, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes, Ramsingh attended Mass. As the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, "You were born a Hindu, and raised a Hindu, but now you are a Catholic.“ Ramsingh's neighbors were greatly relieved, until next Good Friday night arrived, and the aroma of Tatoo (Armadillo) again filled the neighborhood. The priest was called immediately and, as he rushed into Ramsingh's yard, clutching a rosary and preparing to bouf (Chastise) him, he stopped and watched in amazement.

 There stood Ramsingh, clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted: "You wuz born a Tatoo, you wuz raised a Tatoo, but now you is a FISH!"

12-08-2017 18:04:25: Mt Berment Joseph: When the Champion enters the ring. It's time for all lesser rivals to retire. 😭

12-08-2017 18:55:38: M Kenny Azizul: Hey Joe something educational: It's about time u realize I am the champion Oh I am one of the organizers of most of the left rallies since the November election

13-08-2017 08:31:32: M Luongo Humberto: Tengo este nuevo número 00507 6097 1391  y quiero anexarlo al link e incorporarlo al grupo porque el otro teléfono ha perdido toda su capacidad de almacenamiento o , mejor dicho , su capacidad está saturada y no reproduce ni los videos ni las fotos. Favor tomar debida nota.  Gracias

13-08-2017 09:36:58: M Luongo Humberto: Hector William Bartholamew Arthur Timothy Ahow , good morning sir. Por favor reenviame el video al otro teléfono.  Tú lo tienes. Saludos.  Do you remember my good friend Mr. Pugh ?? Was he from Barbados or from Suriname ??

13-08-2017 10:06:07: M Gyuris Attila: Do you mean John Pugh!

John Pugh was a red-haired kid, kind of pudgy, with lots of freckles who loved to sing campfire songs. He taught me a lot of them.  If I remember correctly he was from an Irish descent, and living in Barbados at the time.

Apparently John Pugh has died a long time ago. I don't have any details, but Fr.Cuthbert told that to Jan Koenraadt when visited him  in Holland,  back in 1981.

13-08-2017 10:17:21: M Luongo Humberto: By the way, how is father Cuthbert?? Does anybody know?? Y les pregunto a mis compañeros de clase o de mi edad  y a los demás contemporáneos.....quién ha tenido alguna noticia de Mr. Quildon, Yip Chock , Chow Fat, Tuco  y una etc larga de profesores. A nadie se lo olvida father Eugene!!!!. I am absolutely sure

13-08-2017 10:59:52: M Gyuris Attila: Humberto: you can go to the Facebook page: "Abbey School in later years".

Lots of info and some pictures there about old boys : teachers/ priests and their status . Try asking there also.

13-08-2017 14:49:20: M Zanelli Enrique: Attila, do you want me to remove the old nr and add the new one? It doesn't allow 2 nrs for the same contact....also, is that a US nr?

13-08-2017 16:46:19: M Luongo Humberto: Solamente mensajes por favor. Lo demás no se reproduce y yo no sé qué contestarles porque no me entero de lo que mandan....solo darles las gracias

13-08-2017 16:53:48: M Luongo Humberto: Si alguien puede retrasmitirme los videos y otros, al telefono que les di se lo agradezco. Yo llego a Venezuela el martes y antes del fin de semana este teléfono volverá a estar activo. Es cuestión de una semana. Pero mientras tanto estoy incomunicado. Gracias

13-08-2017 16:56:14: M Zanelli Enrique: Attila, disregard my earlier.... it was Humberto who has a new nr

13-08-2017 16:57:18: M Luongo Humberto: That is right. Saludos The other phone is from Panama

13-08-2017 17:15:45: M Zanelli Enrique: Ok.... no puedo poner los 2 números para el WhatsApp solo uno.... dime si quieres quitar el otro y poner el de Panamá

13-08-2017 18:13:11: M Luongo Humberto: Dejalo así como está.  Yo resuelvo en Venezuela . Pero mientras tanto si alguien me copia al nuevo se lo agradezco.Y si no seguiré incomunicado de Uds y todos los demás que envian fotos Videos etc: Muchas gracias Enrique. Altamente agradecido. Un fuerte y caluroso abrazo

13-08-2017 20:24:31: Mt Berment Joseph: Hector, any idea whose is the force with the initiative in this exchange?

13-08-2017 20:29:27: M Ahow Hector Tx: No

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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:

15LK2930FCUWRA, Fr. Cuthbert and Winston Ramsahai

06WK0667REUNION2006,

05JG0003JGI, John Gioannetti

13LK3742FBGGI, Gerard Gioannetti