Circular No 533

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

Caracas, 21 of January 2012 No.533

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Dear Friends,

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From Robert Elias

"Sailing": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3ezL3cnXM&feature=related

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And now to the Missing Alumni, section. HELP!!!!!

De Freitas Cornel
De Freitas David
De Freitas Dennis
De Freitas Michael
De Freitas Stanley

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From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com

Subject: RE: WRITERS OF THE KNIGHTS.
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:45:31 +0000

Thank you for this email.

Attn: Phil Clegg & David (Bandit).

On behalf of all my brothers who share the same kinship you fellas still have,

Thank you for sharing this private email of two really old mates, from the 1940's correct?.

You gentlemen are perfect examples of why, we are a Club of friends, that last a long long time, it’s such a privilege to know you guys, where age has nothing to do with it, you know anybody younger than Bandit ha! Ha!

Phil, just from reading the wonderful things you had to say, you seem to be doing just fine Sir.

I hope you send your writings or book to Ladislao, when you are ready, can't wait to read your stories and views, I know Bandit version ha! ha!, and I believe everything he tell me, because it was before I was born, so what ah go say.

Now I might be able to compare, some of these stories.

Phil, I noted, you wrote that Bandit can't recall who you are.

Well, ah hear ah story, a fella beat bandit on the mount, so bad, he can't remember the guy face or the guy name, ha! ha!

Phil it’s a pleasure to hear from you, looking forward to hearing more from yuh, big brother.

Have a good day Mi Amigos, long live The Realm, long live The Club, long live The Mount, PAX-2-U /

Glen McKoy/2011.

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Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:45:22 +0000
From: heatherset8@yahoo.com

Re: THE MOUNT BOOK IS HOT OFF THE PRESS. AND ON ITS WAY TO YOU.-KEEP A LOOK OUT AND ADVISE.---"BANDIT" TROUBLE.

Hi David,

Hell but you are a fast mover - I only got an email from you a short while ago telling me of your intention with respect to you writing a book about the mount, and now, seemingly with a snap of the finger, you have gone and done it already-that's fast work young feller!

David you are to be admired for the things that you have gone and done through the years - you seem to have been able to do just what you pleased and when you pleased, which is different to the way others may have found their life to be - usually there is always some reason why we are not able to do what we want at any given point of time, but not with you pal!

I had thought it interesting to hear in your previous email to me, that you were writing a book on the Mount, as I had written a rather epic account on my stay there also, but had decided that it was far too long to submit as an account of my stay there, as I had included a lot about everything else as well. As it transpired my sister came up with an alternative idea of me with respect to what I had written, which was to write a book also, but not just about my sojourn at the mount, but a synopsis of my life, "Before, During, and after MSB", which was to be the title of my submission to the 'Old Boys Website', until I decided to save it to put in the book.

I had finished what I had to say about the Mount a long while ago, and I am now finishing the rest of the project - hope that I get it finished before I pass on! One never knows what it to happen in ones life next - many of my friends have now passed on already, and although there is nothing so wrong with me that I should expect to pop off just yet, it is nevertheless a little frightening to see just how fast someone can deteriorate once the rot sets in. A friend of mine, a year younger that myself, was as fit as can be just four months ago, and now he is fighting for his life with cancer of the liver which has now gone to his brain, and it is very sad to see it take hold of him and bring him down as quickly as is the case.

I don't think or feel anything like my actual age, and sometimes it is hard to believe that I am the age that I am, as I somehow feel that I will still be around for a long time yet, but of course no one ever knows what fortune or misfortune comes with the morrow.

David I am pleased to see that you have gone ahead and written the book that you intended - if you give me the pertinent details I will be pleased to support you in your effort and buy a copy - do please send me the details so that I can get on as soon as possible.

Do please keep in touch from time to time for as long as we are both still here alive and kicking - you have already said that you don't actually recall who the hell I was, but I on the other hand recall you very well indeed, as we had knocked around together quite a lot from time to time at the mount. I also recall Alain Devaux very well indeed, although he and I did not pal up to the same extent, but I remember you both as being very similar guys - both very busy guys, and into everything possible.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon with the info.

Best regards,

Phil Clegg

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From: Glen Mckoy mckoy43glen@hotmail.com
Sent: Sunday, 20 November 2011, 14:00
Subject: RE: THE MOUNT BOOK IS HOT OFF THE PRESS. AND ON ITS WAY TO YOU.-KEEP A LOOK OUT AND ADVISE.---"BANDIT" TROUBLE.

Hello David,

Looking forward to getting this Mount Book, I have enjoyed all your stories over the years,

I am glad to see you had the inspiration to do this, to the best of your memory ha! ha!, well I can't wait to read same, thank you for sharing this moment with me.

Your faithfully at all times, Long Live the Club. –

Glen McKoy.

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From: calypsobandit@live.com
Subject: THE MOUNT BOOK IS HOT OFF THE PRESS. AND ON ITS WAY TO YOU.-KEEP A LOOK OUT AND ADVISE.---"BANDIT" TROUBLE.
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:15:59 -0500

HI GUYS,

PLEASE ADVISE WHEN YOU GET IT.--PLEASE ADVISE WHAT STORY IS WRONG.--PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU LIKE IT.--PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I HAD A GREAT TIME WRITING IT.

BE SURE TO READ MY FAVORITE SAYINGS--WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN ??-

I HAVE WRITTEN.

PEACE AND LOVE;

"THE BANDIT"

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FROM: kazim abasali
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 4:01 PM

Hi Ladislao,

Above is the link I have to our Alumni website where I extend Christmas Greetings to all the Old Boys and their family for the Christmas Season.

Blessings to you my friend......Continue to take care......

Kazim

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Curepe Roundabout 2 Magazine 1
FROM: Nigel Boos
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 1:29 PM

Hello everyone,

I hope that the Christmas season was one of great joy and peace for you and your families.

Here's wishing you all of God's blessings for the New year.

A number of weeks ago, I was asked by Joanne Schmidhammer, a long-time friend from Maracas Valley, to submit an article to her magazine, called "Curepe Roundabout", highlighting an unusual Christmas story of my experience.

I did so, and it had to do with our singing of the 1971 Christmas Eve Mass at Assumption Church in Maraval, accompanied by the Amoco Renegades.

I'm not sure, but I believe that this might have been one of the first times that a steelband was used at Mass anywhere in the world.

If anyone knows otherwise, maybe you can let me know. . . . .

Joanne has asked me to alert you to the fact that the story has been printed and is now available for purchase.

You might wish to get a copy for yourselves on the newsstand.

Here's what I wrote, in case you're interested:

With every good wish for 2012.

God be with you all.

Nigel

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES – SINGING WITH THE RENEGADES

Christmas of 1971 was the year that Amoco Renegades Steel Orchestra came to play at our Christmas Vigil at Assumption Church.

The Black Power Revolution of 1970 had soured relationships between the “Have’s” and the “Have Nots” of Port of Spain society. There was ill-feeling in Morvant and Laventille, where many poorer black people lived and where indeed, a number of steelbandsmen lived, members of the Amoco Renegades Steel Orchestra, which Amoco Trinidad Oil Company had been sponsoring since 1970.

As it happened, in June 1970, I had founded a Youth Choir at Assumption Church in Maraval, where dozens of young people would congregate each Saturday evening to sing at the 6.00 p.m. Mass, and would then hang out together at one or other home, or dance hall, ice-cream shop or whatever. Youngsters came from every stratum of Trinidad society. There were black kids, white kids, Chinese, Indians, Syrians, Lebanese, French stock, Spanish backgrounders, Germans, English and Irish kids, and they brought with them their own religious beliefs. Most were Catholics, but we also attracted some Protestants of various stripes, and there were Anglicans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and so on. All were attracted by the vibrancy of our music, but in addition, there was always the attraction of meeting their peers in a non-threatening, controlled atmosphere, and of getting together socially afterwards.

At the same time, I had been given the responsibility, by my company, Amoco Trinidad, of handling budget meetings with the management team of the Amoco Renegades, and of bringing their concerns and suggestions to the attention of the company’s management.

We were getting close to Christmas, when, one day, the thought struck me, that I was in the unusual and enviable position of being able bringing the two groups together, the Assumption Folk Chorale and the Amoco Renegades, to play at a function at the Church itself. Now, wouldn’t that be interesting? No steelband had ever, to my knowledge, played at a Mass before, and as Churches went, the Assumption Church in Maraval had to be considered one of the bastions of the white “French creole” establishment. It was probably fair to say that very few members of the Laventille / Morvant community would have ever ventured into the precincts of the Assumption Church.

I called together a number of the members of the Chorale and put it to them, that we might consider presenting our 1971 Christmas Vigil at the Church in conjunction with the Renegades Steel Orchestra. The reaction was immediate and intense. Yes! The decision resounded loudly among the group, and we decided to seek the permission of the parents at least of the younger Choir members, since we would need to drive into the Laventille / Morvant area at night, to practice with the steelband.

I also spoke with the leaders of the Renegades, to sound them out and to see whether they would be interested in an effort such as this. Wilfred Cox, the Captain, was enthusiastic; but quite naturally, he wondered aloud, “Do you think that the priest would allow a steelband into the Church?” “How would the white people react to our presence?” “Will we be in trouble?” and so on. Somehow, we were able to allay all of his fears, and I explained to him that we would consider it an honour to have Renegades play at Assumption Church.

And so it was that a few weeks later, after I’d received the permission I needed from Fr. Mark Connolly, the Parish Priest of the Assumption Church, a convoy of some 8 – 10 cars, jam-packed with excited teenagers, all spruced up for the evening, headed east to the hills of Laventille, towards a destination none had ever seen before, to practice with the Amoco Renegades, a name that, frankly, would have previously connoted violence and some fear. Some parents accompanied us, to act as chaperones, and the youngsters huddled together quietly as we proceeded slowly up the hills, watched by inquisitive black faces wondering what was going on. As the cars passed by each group of young people, I noticed many of them started running uphill, behind us.

We arrived at the top of the hill, where the newly built Renegades Pan House was located, and got out of the cars. It was more than I expected. I hadn’t expected to find hundreds of local people already congregated among the trees and buildings, looking, staring at us, inquiringly. It really was a bit intimidating, and I worried whether this social experiment could succeed.

But I shouldn’t have worried. When I announced that we’d like to start with “Silent Night”, and the band struck up their opening movement, moving softly across the metallic notes and into the first verse, I could have sworn that we were in chorale heaven. Our choir was suddenly and unexpectedly swollen by the addition of hundreds of voices emanating from the trees and the general unlit darkness, as the entire mass of local residents took up the harmony and joined in the singing. It was marvellous! “Silent Night” had never sounded so sweetly before this.

We moved from song to song, and the Renegades themselves, with no musical scores to follow, but playing only from memory and from their hearts, led us all the way, from “Away in a Manger”, through “Go, tell it on a mountain”, to “Mary’s Boy Child”, and through many more as well.

It was all impromptu, all perfect, and there was no need for a second practice. But as we left that night and headed back to our homes, the general feeling of good-will and joy which we all felt, was echoed by the question that someone shouted out as we drove off:

“When all yuh comin’ back again?”

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HISTORY OF MT. ST. BENEDICT

When the first monks, led by Dom Ambrose Vinckier O.S.B., arrived on October 6, 1912 at the site selected for them by the Right Rev. Dom Mayeul de Caigny O.S.B. a year earlier, they found only a tiny mud hut with a thatched roof. Within two years, on August 14, 1914, after the monks had cleared the land and erected temporary rooms for their domestic use, the first little chapel was consecrated. The new foundation was granted the status of a Conventual Priory on March 6, 1915, and was dedicated to Our Lady of Exile.

In 1947, the Monastery was raised to the dignity of an Abbey. Dom Adalbert van Duin O.S.B., was elected as the first Abbot and was installed on June 16, 1947 by His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Finbar Ryan, O.P., Archbishop of Port of Spain, in the presence of great crowds of people, including many of the leading personages of the day.

Under the able leadership of Dom Mayuel de Caigny O.S.B. and later, of Dom Hugh Van Der Sanden, O.S.B., one of the Benedictine monks, Brother Gabriel Mokveld O.S.B., undertook the tremendous job of converting the overgrown, bushy hillside into the beautiful, stately edifice we see today. Living quarters, refectory and kitchens were constructed, and the chapel was extended. A “rest house” was built to accommodate the many pilgrims who began to frequent “the Mount”, and a small “guest house” was built to provide lodging for those wishing to rest their souls in the peace and quiet beauty of the hills of the Northern Range of Trinidad.

The monks had become very self-sufficient over the years, building viable businesses in the areas of beekeeping, honey making, candle making, baking, chicken hatching and rearing, school administration, pilgrimage hosting, and so on. Currently, Mt. St. Benedict yogurt is a commodity, regularly sold in many local groceries.

In 1943, at the request of His Grace, Dr. Finbar Ryan, the monks undertook the training of young men for the Priesthood, and the Archdiocesan Seminary of St. John Vianney and the African Martyrs was opened to students from the entire Caribbean area.

In 1946, “The Abbey School” was opened. Students came not only from Trinidad and Tobago, but also from many West Indian islands and South America. The Abbey School provided a sound Catholic education and tuition to Oxford and Cambridge Ordinary- and Advanced-Level School Certificates, and also opportunities for its students to develop socially and physically through involvement in many sports and achievement award programmes. Some 1250 boys passed through its doors before the school closed down in 1986. With the closing of the Abbey School, a regional Drug Rehabilitation Centre was installed in its place. This Centre is still in operation.

The monks of Mt. St. Benedict also provide monks to act as parish priests for Catholic communities in San Fernando, Pointe-à-Pierre, St. Augustine and the islands of St. Vincent and Bequia.

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Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,

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Photos:
Mount Inside MARCH 1966 page 4
100th Celebration, History of the Mount
08RL0004RLEREC, Raul Leoni and Rafael Echeverria.
54TM0001TME, Timothy Mew