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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.   

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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

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laci kertesz <kaviacion@yahoo.com>

Tue, Dec 21

https://youtu.be/YQ3dL5tJx6M

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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.

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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:

21CJ0002CJA, Csaba Jakobszen and wife Maritere

59UN0100TAS, The Abbey School

08GO0954REUNION2008,

75LK6570FBIMCNGO, Ian Mcleod and Nigel Gomes