Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Circular No 1040

 





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

Caracas, 8 of December 2021. No. 1040

---------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

I am enclosing a photo of Csaba Jakobszen, he is well but one of the family had covid, so cannot meet him this year.

Interesting emails on Fr. Peter Boos and the Anglicans.

---------------------------------------

Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

13 Sept 2021

Dear P,

Thank you for this most interesting follow-up to Fr. John’s (my brother’s) preliminary note.

For your information, My older brother, Fr. John Boos M. Afr. was the first of us 4 siblings (John, Nigel, Jennifer, Anthony) to be baptized as Catholic shortly after our births to two wonderful Catholic parents.Fr. Tam’s idea that John might have been Anglican is merely a case of misinformation, so I hope that this note would clarify the point.

John joined the Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right (for Men) a.k.a. “The White Fathers” at their Novitiate in Co, Cavan, Ireland, in 1963.

He continued in his studies in England and Le Puy, France and was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in PoS on July 12, 1970 by Abp. Anthony Pantin C.S.Sp.

He continued his legal studies in England and immediately left for Upper Volta, subsequently re-named as Burkina Faso, where he served for some 30 years as a Missionary of Africa.

After completing his legal studies, he received confirmation as a member of the legal profession and was called to the bar in 1975 on one of his short returns to Trinidad. 

http://www.gcatholic.org/orders/030.htm

Fr. John was posted to Mexico and acted as their Vocations Director for about 8 years. Re-posted again to Africa, he worked for short periods in Mali, Togo and Algeria.

He emigrated to Canada in 2008 at the request of our mother, Lady Marjorie Pierre, to care for her during her declining years at Whitby, Ontario.

After Mom’s death, he continued as a priest in Co. Durham, where he assists at a number of prices and retirement homes in Co. Durham and in Scarborough, where is very happily and usefully "employed”.

Hopefully, these notes might help us to understand the calibre of this good man, who will reach the grand old age of 84 on November 25, 2021.

A little prayer for him now and then would surely be helpful and comforting to him.

With respect,

Nigel

-------------------------------------------------------------.

On Sep 12, 2021

Priscilla Cunnigham <cunning@une.net.co> wrote:

Dear N. 

I shared your message from Fr. John Boos [I didn’t ask your permission first, sorry] with my friend, 90+ years, Fr. Kelvin Tam, Trinidad, Chinese descent and who has his mission in the City of Cali, Colombia and below is his reply.

Thought you would enjoy it. P.

--------------------------------------------------------------.

De: Kelvin Tam <tam.or.kelvin@gmail.com> 

Enviado el: Sunday, September 12, 2021

Para: Priscilla Cunningham <cunning@une.net.co>

Dear Priscilla,

Your interesting story of some 5 Anglican Bishops entering the Church –

I'm not sure, but I have an idea that John Boos himself was a convert - may be mistaken - however, I myself was Anglican, the first 19 years of my life.

I tell the extraordinary story of Rev Stewart-Cooper, Administrator of the Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral.

He never liked the word Anglican - the Church was the English Catholic (EC) Church - he firmly believed in the Eucharist, Celibacy of the Clergy (he never married ), in Catechism class, he gave me a pamphlet, "Why we should have Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary"

One day, Rev Stewart-Cooper (from England, incidentally), saw a little white boy in the street with a group of black boys - the boy was Donald Blanchard, 6 yrs. of a wealthy St Clair, POS , family - a daughter of the family, sadly was pregnant by a US soldier and the boy was being cared for by the cook, a black lady - being poor, she gave the boy over to Rev. Stewart-Cooper.

Reverend found that the boy was Catholic and so on Sundays, sent him to Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, though he himself administered in the Anglican Cathedral - when Donald came of age, he sent Donald to St Mary's College, though he himself, tremendous Greek and Latin Scholar, was Professor in QRC. Donald grew up, a staunch member of his Catholic Parish

At 19 yrs., I became a Catholic and wished to be a Priest - my family opposed it, sent me to people to dissuade me, finally sent me to Rev Stewart-Cooper - I thought he, with Catholic tendency, would back me up - well, he launched a furious attack on me - “So you come to me now, after being PERVERTED? - and who put this stupid idea of Priesthood into your head?”

He was a great family friend however, and after this attack said - "Let's sit down to Tea " - I was so upset, couldn't think of Tea -

Then after Tea, he wrote to my Family - Kelvin has a True Vocation to be a Priest, and you are to put no further opposition to him!

When in the Seminary in Ireland, I wrote him, if he ever thought of becoming a Catholic - his answer:   

“Don't EVER write such a letter to me again!!!”

I assisted at his Funeral years later - the Anglican Bishop said - “We owe a tremendous debt of Gratitude for the wonderful service to the Church, provided by Rev Stewart-Cooper and we are so happy that at his death, his "son" was there to close his eyes.

Well, Priscilla, wouldn't you think, this was an extraordinary character?

But he was a GOOD man. - I appreciate him a lot - May God grant him Happiness forever.   

---------------------------------------------------.

Nigel Boos

Mon, 20 Dec,

Tony,

I believe your question to both John and myself had to do with whether or not the salvation of mankind brought about by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus would / could have been applied to the situation of prehistoric man.

Not wanting to ignore you, I’ve simply had to find some time to offer this answer, which I hope will respond to your need for help.

I suggest (please correct me if I’m wrong here, Fr. John) that Christ indeed died to save all humankind from sin and ultimate death, if all mankind had immortal souls which had been infected by original sin and needed salvation, and which no-one but Christ himself could provide.

If so, therefore we should look carefully at what mortal remains exist of prehistoric man, to see whether evidence yet exists that would indicate that he / she indeed possessed an immortal soul. 

Enlightened archaeology has found evidence, though limited, of prehistoric people handling the dead bodies of their kin, in a way quite reminiscent of modern man’s respect for the bodies of others.

So, what is the soul?

I understand it to be the living centre and source of every human emotion - love, hate, fear, kindness, gratitude, respectfulness, anxiety, etc. - you name it (I can develop the proof of its existence for you, if you’re interested).

Now, we‘ve discovered, in a cave-dwelling in some part of Africa which name I’ve forgotten, areas within the cave where the bones of people who’ve died had been placed separately from other bones, and upon investigation, it appears that, very likely, they had been placed there, in a separated area, where they might have been preserved as an ancestral memory-trove where new populations could come by to remember their ancestors and to pay their respects.

If this were true, then I would argue that those prehistoric people were demonstrating love and respect towards their dead members, and as such, that they probably therefore, did have a soul.

That’s the best I can offer, Tony, but it might not fit the bill perfectly.

If I come across other such “evidence”, I’ll make sure to send it to you.

Meanwhile, have a look at this video:

https://www.ba-bamail.com/video.aspx?emailid=43190

Always,

Nags

----------------------------------------------------------.

laci kertesz <kaviacion@yahoo.com>

Tue, Dec 21

https://youtu.be/YQ3dL5tJx6M

-----------------------------------------------------------.

WhatsApps

21/2/21 01:56 - Ladislao: Hi Ian, how are You?

10/6/21 15:31 - Ladislao: Good morning, working on a newsletter and would like to hace the missing names

10/6/21 16:12 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: LLEWELWN proper spelling. Lord if you print the wrong name he will embarrass me. He was our English and History teacher. This is Ian.

10/6/21 16:13 - Ladislao: I have tried to get some lines out of berment but no luck, he only is a radio guy.

10/6/21 16:13 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: Mackie is also the calypsonian "Shortpants".

10/6/21 16:15 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: This was a diner organized to honour Mr. Mc Intosh.

10/6/21 16:16 - Ladislao: Yes Ian, this is why i AM using your prívate chat.

I know the guy, Christopher knowles took me to his place for a Nice reunion

10/6/21 16:18 - Ladislao: Ok, the Dinner.

Glen, was visiting?

10/6/21 16:52 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: Skippy yes. Skippy and #2, were visiting and skippy wanted to do the dinner for him. He did this with Joe Berment's help.  Will send pic to Keith Allen, Joe Habib,  and Joe Berment to positively identify #2.

10/6/21 17:01 - Ladislao: Thanks Ian

10/6/21 18:46 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: #2 is Krishna Toolsie. Confirmed by Keith Allen. Oh joe was watching the funeral of Richard & Francia Achue. Richard was an old boy who passed from Covid. His wife Francia as well.

10/6/21 18:48 - Ladislao: Thanks for the news.

Shall use it

20/6/21 17:37 - Ladislao: Hi Ian

The photo shall appear in issue 1020.

I AM sending a new photo

20/6/21 18:53 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: I cant say.

3/7/21 15:55 - Ladislao: Hi Ian, do You have nigel s email address and cellphone?

3/7/21 16:28 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: Nigel Gomes?  My brother Nigel passed away on 11/12/2016. The class of 1970,.

3/7/21 16:34 - Ladislao: Thanks Ian, i shall make the corrections

3/7/21 16:37 - Ladislao: I sent the photo to berment just as i send always all my inquiries to him, but his reply is recurrent,

"Will answer as soon i have time."

4/9/21 18:40 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: This is not an MSB group or post.

4/9/21 19:31 - Ladislao: Ok Ian, so these are your friends and not classmates at our school.

The only way that i can make sure that i attach pictures to the newsletter is if i vet the photos with someone who is in the picture.

4/9/21 19:32 - Ladislao: From what You mention, You are not in the picture, neither nigel

4/9/21 19:34 - Ladislao: You can be sure that i go a long way, to check pictures.

4/9/21 20:06 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: We both are but i will not like this to be published in the MSB circular. Thanks.

4/9/21 20:54 - Ladislao: Ok, this is why i am writing to you.

Shall not publish as per your request.

Thanks You for your help

4/9/21 20:57 - Msbtt Gomes Ian: No probs.

----------------------------------------------------------------.

EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to subscribe for a whole year and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to mention any old boy that you would like to include, write to me.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Photos:

21CJ0002CJA, Csaba Jakobszen and wife Maritere

59UN0100TAS, The Abbey School

08GO0954REUNION2008,

75LK6570FBIMCNGO, Ian Mcleod and Nigel Gomes

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Circular No 1039

 





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

Caracas, 1 of December 2021. No. 1039

------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

A look at Piarco Airport in the year I arrived for the first time in Trinidad. 1955.

https://youtu.be/DacVub-s2Kc

I have redacted this Circular. In memory of Isaias Farcheg

---------------------------------------------------.

"Isaias Farcheg"

Caracas 1st. October 2003.

My dear good friend, Ladislao,

And of course, to my old good friends of past years...

You have been asking of me to write you about our experience as a Scout, precisely as a leader of the Toucans, and also with the merit that I made it as a Queen Scout. 

I have to confess after some many years, that in order to acquire this Badge, I had to cheat in my swimming test, since I have always been a very bad swimmer. 

I still recall that the last test was carried out in the American Base during one of our camping experiences.

We were made to carry out about 4 different swimming tests, and for me it was exhausting, since I did not have the perfect coordination between legs and arm, in summary I was a mess swimming, and really made to the finish line by cheating.

My brother Elias, and a few like you and the Fedaks did not belong to Scouts, and I really believe that you all missed a lot. 

With Scouting one was able to make plan on the weekends and participate with the different marching parade that we had to assist, and that was a way to show off in front of the girls down in Port of Spain.

The camping days were wonderful, and what made me start this recalling of the memory, was a camping we had in the American Base in 1956. 

Each Patrol was given a chicken or a duck to have for a specific day, that Father Ildefonse, our troop leader assigned. 

Roberto Lipavsky belonged to Woodpeckers.

We were taught a trick in order to make the pieces of chicken to be a little brownish, to put a slight amount of sugar while frying it. 

On the day Roberto had to prepare his chicken, he started with the adding up of a little tea spoon of sugar, while the piece of the chicken was put to fry. 

Roberto was not patient enough, and he saw that there was not change in the colour of the pieces of chicken, his ocurrence was to keep adding still more little tea spoons of sugar, and of course, after a few minutes, that seemed like hours, what he ended up in cooking was a sugar syrup with fried pieces of chicken.

Fr.  Ildefonse went from patrol to patrol testing the food and of course giving notes, which accounted everything for the final competition of the best Patrol in the Camp.

We had wonderful ideas in order to keep up with the timing, that all were allowed during the day.

We had to plan the hours dedicated for cooking. 

One trick we practiced with regards to cooking the potatoes, was that we digged a hole, put the potatoes in, and above it we started the fire, so that the heat of the fire at the same time we were cooking with it, the heat was cooking in a indirect way, our buried potatoes.

We had to make good plans in the handling of the cans of food we were given, and also everyone had to participate in the kitchen section. 

The initial day was very interesting, because, we had to choose the ground where to settle the tent.

In the rainy period we had to be aware of the water drainage, so that we had to be engineers in a way.

Discipline, handling of the time, handling of the food, was the way of getting a lot of points in the competition.

We also had to handle the different competition according to the scouting book of Baden Powell (do you all know who was the founder?)

Whenever you will see Lipavsky, I am sure he still remembers how we Scouts, did our engament with the troop leader, the flag and Our Queen. 

I took the opportunity of reviewing and recalling with the help of internet, the essence of Scout, and I do believe that we need in the younger generation is the bringing back a lot of the virtues or values, of which humanity as a whole have forgotten...to trustworthy, to be loyal, to be a sincere friend, to be helpful, courteous, kind and obedient, cheerful, thrifty ( ahorrativo para lo que se olvidaron del ingles fino, atencion Lipavsky, que siempre fue el mejor), brave, clean and reverent.

Scouting still goes on in the world, and I regret I did not have the time to have gotten my children in the Scouting movement here in Venezuela.

LADISLAO, LET ME IN THE FUTURE WRITE: A NEW REMEMBERANCE OF THE OLD DAYS...REMEMBER THAT WE WHO LEFT SCHOOL SINCE 1958, HAVE TO WRITE SLOWLY AND SURELY, IN ORDER THAT THE CRITICAL ONES AND WHO ARE GOOD IN ENGLISH WILL NOT CRITICIZE US (I AM REFERRING TO MANUEL PRADA AND ROBERTO LIPAVSKY).

On My Honour, I promise that I will do my best

To do my duty to God and to the Queen,

To help other people

And to keep the Scout Law

Scout Law is:

A Scout is to be trusted.

A Scout is loyal.

A Scout is friendly and considerate. (Helpful)

A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts. (Friendly).

A Scout has courage in all difficulties.

A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.

A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout Motto is:

Be Prepared

A Scout is Trustworthy.

A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.

A Scout is Loyal.

A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.

A Scout is Helpful.

A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.

A Scout is Friendly.

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.

A Scout is Courteous.

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.

A Scout is Kind.

A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.

A Scout is Obedient.

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.

A Scout is Cheerful.

A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

A Scout is Thrifty.

A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

A Scout is Brave.

A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.

A Scout is Clean.

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.

A Scout is Reverent.

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------.

De: Isaias Farcheg

Caracas May 23 rd. 2004.

Dear good, old, and always remembered Lionel (AKA Br. Vincent).

I was really happy we have crossed the lines of our lives again.

I received your letter about a month ago, and was looking forward to have the time to reflect about many things that have happened since I left the School in 1958. 

I was aware that you had been in Brazil, and still have the two photos that you sent me, recently married. 

Precisely one of them is the one that I handled to Kertesz in order to be sent in the circular dedicated to you.

I started to study medicine in 1959 and graduated in 1965.

I did my internship in the Military Hospital of Caracas. 

In this hospital I had the opportunity of hospitalizing Father Bernard, while he was the Abbot.

I am actually a Gastroenterologist (digestive system).

I went back to Mount St. Benedict, twenty years after I left it, in 1978, and had the chance of seeing Father Augustine, Cuthbert, Ildefonse...and a few others. 

I was really sad to have seen how the monastery, did have difficulties with the new vocations. 

Even so, I was conscious of the fact that monastic life, has been abandoned all over.

While I was staying in the states, had the opportunity of seeing a program in the PBS about Old abandoned Monasteries. 

So of course, Mount St. Benedict, was not going to be an exception.

I did my Fellowship in Baltimore between 1974 and 1975. 

By mid-year in 1975 I got married with Marie, who has given me three children...the elder one Simon Jose is an Attorney and is 27 years old, Natalie who is 26 years old and graduated in Industrial Engineering and the smallest one Said, is trying to fix his future without any success. 

We are fighting to get him through.

In looking back to the old days, we have to be grateful to God, that we had people like you and all at Mount, who gave us values, like discipline, and the desire to be better day to day, organization in our life, sense of leadership, sense the value of friendship and responsibility, and many others values.

When you mentioned the phrase < friend>, that was and I can imagine your quality as a person. 

You got us involved in the team work of the Houses. 

Sometimes when we have a dinner meeting, is unbelievable how everyone remembers the House that he belonged to...my House was St. Lawrence and Elias my brother belonged to St. Francis...

By the way the last time I went to Mount, I stopped in our football field, and walk it up and down and really felt sad but at the same time grateful to think of the moments of glory in sports that we had been able to experience in the different games. 

I still remember Michael Howell running in front of me in the 100 yards competition and in the 220 yards, or even trying to compete with Anthony Lucky (by the way he is a Judge in Trinidad). 

The great moments when we had the luck of making a goal...and how we got to be admired like miniature Pele of football. 

There were the workers in the kitchen that use to leave on my seat in the refrectory and extra amount of peanut butter o extra portion of cheese, as a reward for the goal one scored.

Brother Gerard has been coming frequently to Venezuela, since he is in charge of the Swimming boys that represents Trinidad. 

Brother Gerard has the opportunity of putting me up to date, with the news of the Mount.

I am glad, Bro. Vincent, that you are in the Ministry of being a Deacon for the Church. 

I will remember you in my prayers. 

By the way Sarkis Farcheg, my cousin has moved to Tampa, so he might visit you one day in the near future. 

He is at the present in Venezuela, and I think will be going to the States in two months’ time.

I will not get you tired for this time, but since we have this means of communicating, I will be giving you more information about Elias, Manuel Prada, Gerard Most, the Fedaks and talk to you about the wonderful work Ladislao Kertesz has done with the Web Page of Mount St. Benedict.

Greetings to your wife, and receive my wishes of a good embrace and big smile, that the famous Bro. Vincent has appeared once more in our life.

God Bless you and your family.

------------------------------------------------------------------.

From: "Isaias Farcheg"

Fri, 3 Oct 2003 21:25:16 -0400

That game, of course was won by us...only watch who was the Centre Foward...

That day I recall, like if it was yesterday, I scored 3 goals, and the 4 th. goal was a pass I made to Terry Viera, who did a last minute dribble and scored the 4 th. goal

I was made a hero that day. 

And I have ever since recall the game in my memories like if I had preceded Pele for many years. 

Later on, I came to know that Pele was born on the 17 th. of October 1940 and I was born on the 15 th. of October of the same year. 

That implies that I was already scoring goals before Pele was made known to the world, and I had to be made known to the Medical Profession.  

You all are lucky guys, because if I had become famous as Pele was, I would have bothered with any one of you all, and all of you, would have to be jalando bola, for me to pay attention to you all.

Now you all know the end of the last game. 

And thanks God that <<petit garcon caca>> did good at goal keeping.

By the way now you all know why I am able to sleep with a smile every night, because I sleep remembering how good I was as a Centre Forward.

Greetings. Isaias.

-------------------------------------------------------------.

In memory of my teachers and professors who always believed in me and gave me support when I needed it ... especially in the days when I considered myself not living up to the expectations that were demanded ... that professor who was a teacher , friend and partner you can dedicate this emails ... the many Thompson teachers that we have had in our lives.

Thanks to them we became what we are ...

Isaias.

-------------------------------------------------------------------.

From:  isaias farcheg

Date: 10/21/2004 5:15:00 PM

Ladislao...

thank you very much for the trouble of sending me the past circulars of MSB.

Wonderful to read about the friends who shared a nice and wonderful part in our life.

Especially when we were considered heroes playing foot-ball or cricket or in our school Olympics, champion in the 100 and 220 yards.

Gracias.

Isaias Farcheg.

----------------------------------------------------------------.

EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to subscribe for a whole year and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to mention any old boy that you would like to include, write to me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Photo:

21LK0012ASAA, letter from government

57UN0002FILBVI, Fr. Ildefonse and group

10LK0123LKE, Ladislao Kertesz EDITOR

03LK0067IFAGRP, Azier Atela, Urbano de Fedak, Isaias Farcheg

 

 

 

 

Circular No 1040

  Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. Caracas, 8 of December 2021. No. 1040 ---------...