Circular No 1011

 

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

Caracas, 15 of April 2021 No.1010 Apr B

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Dear Friends,

An interesting article by B.C. Pires.  You can subscribe to his articles, THANK GOD IT´S FRIDAY, by writing direct and receiving the weekly issues.

I thank those that have asked and have sent in funds anonymously.

At the end of this issue, you will find the instructions to send funds, I know your limitations.

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Thank God it’s Friday

As told by B.C.Pires

My name is Ishan Poonwassie and I’m a do-it-yourself kinda guy.

I was born in August Long Hospital, Marabella. It was pretty much built-up by the time I was born. So I had boy days with my cousins in San Francique, (Trinidad) where my dad grew up. The family used to gather round there, on cooks. Chill out with the family, after school. Climb fruit trees and chill out, the parents would be looking for us and we’d just be hiding in the back.

I’m the oldest of a brother two sisters. I went to Garden Memorial Presbyterian, then to St Peter’s Private Primary, mainly because it was easier for my mom to pick me up and drop me there. I did O’Levels and part of A’Levels at St Benedict’s.

I went to plenty schools, mainly because of the courses I wanted to do. school was all right. My subjects was science.  At St Benedict’s, it wasn’t so much easy.  The chemistry and physics was a little harder, seeing you had about 14 subjects to do. I did the best that I could. I had like art so I did my all in it. But not at CXC. 

I went to ASJA Boys College to do biology, environmental sciences, geography and Caribbean studies. It was a challenge. From there, I started thinking I wanted to be kinda like my dad. At my age, he went on to Tech and did electrical engineering and instrumentation. He was more a hands-on kinda guy and, being a boy, you want to follow in your dad’s footsteps, ‘cause he’s your role model. 

Thinking about my dad, working offshore seemed all right: you get the money; you get away from some people; you come back and relax. 

I did my best at A’levles and signed up to UWI but didn’t get through. I got kind of down but, thinking about it, I decided to sign up for electrical engineering. Try to follow my dad. I finished the course, started work, got a bit of money.

You know every kid want to buy a car? I bought mine. Save up money from pressure-washing during the years. Started working in a music shop. From there, I bought my music. Put it in the car.

I got an opportunity to work repairing life vessels for offshore platforms. I did the electricals, as well as fibre-glassing and painting. That was nice. From there, I got a job doing air-conditions in vehicles. From there, going to Junior Sammy yards, doing the air-conditions on the cranes was a really awesome experience.

I tried to open up my own business. Working for people sometimes tend to be frustrating. So I started to sell doubles. Everybody in Trinidad feel “Doubles is it! You bound to make money!” But doubles is not it. All those doubles guys out there making money, they doing a hard job! I still eat doubles and I don’t begrudge the doubles men the $4 or $5 now. I made a little bit, but it started to go slow. It’s very competitive and hard, especially when you have to make stuff in the morning. But, fortunate for me, I just bought it from someone wholesale and sold it. 

I had some bad relationships in the past. I don’t have as much girl experience as I do work experience, but enough to make me think about what I want. I’m not that kinda guy to run around with three and four girls, just one girl at a time. 

In the music store in the [Gulf City] mall, Gabriella Biswah used to come check us, hang out with us. I started to like her ‘cause she was cool. What I was going through, she was that support. From there, I said, “Let’s see where this could lead to”. We’ve been together two years. You have your little setbacks but we going strong.

Having some sheltered parents, is only once I ever took part in Carnival. It was a really great experience I recommend to all. I played mas and watching the bands parade is not as bad as some people think. It’s what you define Carnival as [that really matters].

I listen to all music. My favourite soca artiste is Machel, come on! 

I took part in car shows twice. Just showing that a small music system could sound good. And to show what I am about. Your car is pretty much an expression of yourself. My car is a Honda Civic with a five manual. I like the speed and the music. It’s blue but I recently got in an accident so it’s multi-coloured right now.

I like action movies with a good storyline. 

I like fast food but I mainly cook for myself. My mom taught me to cook. My dad makes a really mean barbecue. We weren’t raised strict Hindu.

I got an opportunity to go work and live in Canada. From there, I realise Trinidad was the best place. Canada was like another Trinidad, but more chilly to the bone than Trini to the bone. I couldn’t handle the cold.

I’m a do-it-yourself kinda guy. I pretty much learned from my father, Dainan Poonwassie, who does everything for himself. Growing up, seeing him do household stuff – plumbing, rewiring the whole house, anything to do with cars, engine, brakes, anything – for himself, it taught me a lot.

Anything to do with my car, I do the work myself: changing brake pads; bleeding the brakes lines; changing oil and spark plugs; the wires; radiator, anything, I could do it. And I good in the kitchen, too. Gabriella, you lucky.

Apart from cars, car shows, customizing and detailing cars, there’s nothing better than fishing. My dad has a boat so we call the family. it’s always a boys’ lime. There’s nothing like going out on a boat for a whole day, catching fish, just your time. Just relax out in the Gulf. We don’t have that much power to go up on the north coast. Banking is the better way to fish. Seeing as I did environmental science, I’m an environmentally-friendly guy.

I’ll take the occasional drink. Johnny Walker on ice. I get that from my dad, too.

A true Trini enjoys life to the fullest, appreciates what he has in Trinidad and is proud of his country. A person who will stop at nothing to make him and his family proud.

Trinidad & Tobago is home, is where I grew up, is the best place. No other country could replace this. No matter where I am in Trinidad, I feel at home. You have everything easy. Is not fast-paced. You actually get to look at life, compared to places like Canada, where you move fast all the time. 

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From: peter darwent <ppdarwent@hotmail.com>

Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 10:17PM

Subject: Darwents that went to the Mount.

HI Ladislao,

I shall introduce myself first and give some information of my stay at the Mount.

I am Peter Darwent having started my schooling at the Mount in 1947 as I lived in the deep South - Point Fortin, my father having worked for Shell Oil.

When my father retired from Shell in 1950 I left the Mount and became a day boy at Fatima Collage in Port of Spain.

Nigel had e-mailed me a number of months ago asking for information on the Darwents who went to the Mount.

The ones that I am sure about are; Walter (my brother) lives in Trinidad and can be e-mailed at his son dadarwent@yahoo.co.uk .

John (cousin) lives in the USA at john_darwent@hotmail.com

Michael (cousin) lives in the USA can be contacted at his daughter lisatriniusa@aol.com

Roger Darwent as Nigel said in one of his e-mails died in the USA a few year ago.

The eldest of my cousins Donald lives in Canada and can be contacted at his son lesdar@shaw.ca but we do not think that he went to the Mount.

I worked in Trinidad for Trinidad Oilfield Services from 1956-1962 when they were bought out by Dowell Schlumberger.

I was transferred out of Trinidad in 1965 to Libya, then in 1967 to Kuwait, Bahrain in 1969 for 6 months then back to Kuwait.

Went to Nigeria in 1971 for two years then Great Yarmouth in 1973 for two years, Iran in 1975 for three years and Singapore in 1978 for six months then Sumatra for two years and Jakarta in 1980 for three years.

In 1984 I was transferred out of their oilfield operations and then as manager into the purchasing and shipping company in Holland then in 1987 I went to Belgium to open another purchasing and pricing office.

I was pensioned off in 1989 and have enjoyed 15 years of good living visiting other parts of the world that I had not worked in.

We live in the UK from April to December each year and then spend a very enjoyable three months in Trinidad.

Before coming to Trinidad this year, we spent 2 months in Australia and New Zealand.

I met a number of old boys in Perth and will give you another e-mail when I get back to the UK with details.

My brother gave me the attached picture which was taken between 1947 and 1949.

If you do not already have it would be great fun to see how many of the boys can be identified and how many are on you mailing list.

I think that I may have some more pictures taken in my time at the Mount and when I return to the UK I will send some to you if I find any.

Thanks for the Newsletters that you have been sending me.

Best regards

Peter.

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Newsletter Abbey April 1983.

Dear Friends

We have your news: good: also that you are well and happy: benissimo:

It’s been a long time you have heard from us.

Nonetheless, we’ve not forgotten you.

Since I started teaching at the Abbey College; writing the Abbey news has became difficult.

The days are short and much work has to be done.

I suppose we all have the same complaint.

Anyway, this short letter assures you of our prayers and promise to keep you informed of the events here.

We keep you noted in our prayer-list.

The Lord’s face has been upon us over the past months as He recalled his friends home.

Seven of our brethren have died; including our recent brother, Fr. Leo whose card is enclosed with this letter.

Pray for him and the others.

Fr. Anselm van der Heijdt (died 3/9/81), Fr. William Boers (died 29/9/81), Fr. Bede Theunissen (died 26/12/81), Bro Gabriel Mokveld (died 18/7/82), Fr. Radbod van den Plas (died 27/8/82), Fr. Gualbert van den Plas (died 13/10/82) and Fr. Leo van Leeuven whom we mentioned earlier (died 31/1/83).

Much as we rejoice and pray that the Lord may grant them their eternal rewards; in this time of our history, we pray for Discernment in learning what the Lord has to say to me.  Keep us in your prayers.

January:

1/1/83: Fidel Rampersad (22) born on 24^th April 1960, from Chaguaramas, entered the Abbey as a postulant to the monastic way.  

He was a past student of the Abbey Collage and had been studying construction.

11/1/83: The abbey extension was blessed by the Abbot at 7:45pm. A small ceremony took place in the Reception Room.

Afterwards, the community gathered for a cocktail in the balustrade.

Work on the extension had begun on the 7/4/81 and was completed by Christmas of 1982.

The rooms are now occupied by the brethren who were living in the Retreat House annexe since 1980.

14/1/83: Abbot Hilderbrand Greene celebrated his 25^th anniversary of monastic profession.

Apart from a simple renewal ceremony on the morning, the community rejoiced with him in festive style on the 17/1/83.

Bro. Ronald organized a concert entitled: “Ever-Greene” during which the brethren performed, sang, and acted using the theme of “green” evoking hope and renewal in his monastic life.

The Sunday evening recreation was pitched with excitement and fun.

21/1/83: Bro. Dennis, his blood-brother, Derek and a friend, Bernard began work on the Abbey wall which separates the car park and the gardens.

Bro Francis camped with his scouts that weekend.

February:

5/2/83: The Oblates expressed their thanks and appreciation to Miss Kitty Marcus, former teacher and secretary of the Abbey College, for her contribution to the group.

Miss Marcus is semi retired, working in the Abbey Library with Fr. Ildefons.

12/2/83: 80 Pentecostals spent the Carnival weekend here, living in the College dormitory.

13/2/83: The Altar ladies and Bro. Harold organized a Creole breakfast underneath the Bell tower.

The project aimed at raising funds for the Abbey and was quite successful.

Eight of the brethren spent Carnival days at the Mayaro Beach.

15/2/83: Fr. Christopher, former parish priest of Carapichaima, returned to the Abbey from holidaying in his hometown in Holland and following a refresher course in Rome.

He has been in the parish for the past 11 years.

19/2/83: Bro. Paschal, our choirmaster, held a musical seminar for Lent.

A considerable number of young people involved in various roles in the parishes gathered in the Abbey Church.

22/2/83: Fr. Bernard, former Abbot of our abbey, who suffered much with a stroke and burns, visited a specialist to examine his legs.

He is reacting favourably to the new medication.

The Abbot and 3 monks attended a requiem Mass for Fr. Leo at the La Romain Church.

Archbishop Anthony Pantin officiated.

25/2/83: Fr. Ildefons attended a Charismatic conference in Curacao.

March:

3/3/83: Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Bisset was invited to lunch with the community.

15/3/83: Fr. Christopher replaced Fr. Maurus as parish priest of St. John’s St Augustine.

25/3783: The Oblates spent the Palm Sunday weekend with the community.

Our Lenten mission: Fr. Ildefons preached a mission in Tobago, our sister isle.

Fr. Maurus went to St. Lucia ministering to the Benedictine nuns in that island.

Abbot Hilderbrand preached and conducted retreats in 3 parishes: Chaguanas where Fr Ignatius OSB is parish priest, Couva where Fr. John OSB is parish priest and in the church of St. John´s where Fr. Maurus was stationed.

At Home: Fr. Augustine conducted the Pentecostal services for the community.

Prior Vincent, Sub-prior Joseph and Bro Ronald led talks during the Thursdays of Lent.

For the Easter Virgil, a sizeable group of our brethren was home.

Frs. Benedict and Adelbert celebrated services in the parishes of Chaguanas and St. John’s (St. Peter’s Home).

Fr. Christopher conducted his first Easter Services in St. John’s.

April:

1/4/83: Radio 610 broadcasted the Good Friday services for the nation.

2/4/83: Mr. Fidel Rampersad entered the novitiate.

After the morning services, we proceeded to the new Reception Room where a short, intimate ceremony was conducted by the Abbot.

School reopens on the 18/4/83 for those of us who teach at the Abbey College or St. Bede´s Vocational or Regional Seminary.

We would like to wish you many Easter greetings filled with newness.

“Truly, there’s no joy on earth quite so precious to me. And my heart has no greater reward that the wonderful joy that comes into my heart when I go to the house of the Lord”.

It is said _ eat modus in rebus – so I must be going now or as the Jamaican would say: “ah gone to meh yard””.

De profundis,

Bro. Ronald OSB

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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.

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Photos:

54BP1602BPEGRP, Photo of group 1954

66UN0001CLASS1968, Class 1968

58LK1706FBSPORTSGRP, Sports Group Guyana

09LK2226FBGMC, Glen Mckoy