Mount
Inside #46 p02
FATHER WILLIAM IS BACK
My long-time friend Fr. William Boers
has recently returned from Haiti where he sojourned in a newly
–founded and what he described as a “magnificent, mansion-like
monastery”.
He spent one year among a simple,
poverty-stricken, Voodoo infested island people and there attempted
to spread the Benedictine way of life.
A gifted artist in local wood and
handyman of the Monastery, Fr. William is in love with the Caribbean,
its many peoples and with “what is here in Trinidad” to use his
words. This kind-hearted, charitable monk was born in Suriname, South
America, in 1910 and arrived in Trinidad in 1931.
Attracted to the religious life while
yet a school boy (he received his secondary education in Europe), Fr.
William is “one of nine children” who always wanted to live and
stay in the West Indies. The Abbey at Mount St, Benedict was
therefore the answer.
He is fluent in Dutch, French, German
and English and managed well in Creole Patois while in Haiti.
Asked to recall the reckless, roaring
1920s during which years he was at school in Europe, Fr. William
replied: “Those years had no effect on me whatsoever”. He went on
to remark that after the Second World War (1939 – 1945) the whole
social structure in Trinidad changed dramatically.
He spoke enthusiastically of how he
used to be a great walker in his younger years, the leader on many an
expedition that set out from the Mount in the good old days.
(More on this brave Benedictine and his
Haitian experiences in our next issue)
Newsletter
for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and
Tobago, W.I.
Caracas,
16 June 2012 No.554
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear
Friends,
Continuing
with the short resume of my trip to TT.
On
Monday there was the Union towers lunch.
The
setting was very beautiful, the impressive view from this height of
the city give a nice background.
Before
and during the lunch, we were filmed by a crew of film makers,
leaving for the posterity the record of the event.
Hope
that the film and shots will soon be seen.
I
did participate in a short speech, and sorry to say it was
unprepared.
The
menu was very good and there were repeats.
Before
leaving the premises I took photos thru the windows as I am sure you
would like to see the 2012 PoS.
Some
buildings are of yesterdays and I could recognized them even after so
many years, enjoy the photos.
Association
meeting
As
soon as we left the Union Towers we went direct to Dennis Gurley’s
office.
In
the ASAA meeting, the following oldboys were present.
Joseph
Berment
Christopher
Knowles
Dennis
Gurley
Ladislao
Kertesz
Peter
Sammy
Gary
Mathews
Enrique
Bonaparte
Joseph
Habib
Michael
D´ornellas
Winston
Kerry
Some
topics were discussed as to how to relunch the initiative of the
Association, or I would say, let the Association do something
tangible.
Not
only to justify its formation but also to show its members that it is
doing positive activities in their behalf.
I
am sure that at least one of the assistants is going to help me by
writting what was accomplished at the meeting-
1960
Class reunion dinner
After
the Association meeting all members of the 1960 class got together at
the Mai Lai Chinese restaurant for the class reunion.
The
details of this event shall be for future reading.
Thanks
to Christopher Knowles for contacting all local classmates that are
in Trinidad
A
total of eight if I am not wrong.
Christopher
Webster
David
Pampellone
Randal
Galt
Michael
Howard
Michael
Herrera
Roger
Henderson
Christopher
Knowles
Graham
Gonsalves
Ladislao
Kertesz.
Hopefully
we can keep in touch in the future, I had a nice talk with each.
----------------------------------------------------------------------.
Joseph
Berment-McDowald's visit to Toronto 1
FROM:
Nigel Boos
Thursday,
May 24, 2012 4:21 PM
David,
Here's
the note I'd sent some time ago, for your information.
It
seems that June 23rd shall be the best date for our get together.
By
the way, I've contacted Art Gregorio's home (416-431-4504) and spoken
today to his wife, Yolanda.
He
was the Bursar at MSB between 1965-70, now lives in Scarborough, and
his email address is ygregorio@sympatico.ca,
Might
I suggest that he too should be invited?
Nigel
---------------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-22, at 8:23 AM,
KAZIM
ABASALI wrote:
Thank
you David for opening up you and your family's home and hearts for
our Canada MSB get-together.
I
pray and hope that we honour you with our gathering.
Nigel,
if I am available during that time I can help you with the move.
Just
say the word, I am sure some of the boys would love to assist you
with your daughter's move and make sure you celebrate with us after.
Let
us know what is involved with respect to the moving, and also what
support David needs with the hosting of the MSB get-together.
This
way we can all pitch in and make the event memorable.
Blessings
to all......Kazim
-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Subject:
Joseph Berment-McDowald's visit to Toronto
From:
nigelboos@yahoo.ca
Date:
Mon, 21 May 2012 18:26:34 -0400
David,
This
is wonderful. Thank you for offering to host an evening with "the
Boys of MSB." I'd love to be there.
Please
let me know the date and time.
My
daughter is moving her office around that time, and I must give
priority to helping her with her move, but once I'm available, you
bet I'll be there.
Would
you like me to bring a dish or to contribute in any way at all.?
Nigel
P.S.
I couldn't help noticing the email addresses you used in sending out
your note, and you might wish to make a few corrections to your
address book:
Ken
Bhagan's address is ycstjamestown@gmail.com,
Terence
Gonzalves' address is terrybarbs@sympatico.ca,
Thanks
again.
Nigel
---------------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-21, at 4:59 PM, David Johnson wrote:
Gentlemen
As
some of you may know Joe Berment and Kazim will be visiting the GTA
in late June.
I
would like to extend an Invitation to you all to come and celebrate a
small reunion with them at my home in Richmond Hill.
Could
everyone respond by 25 May 2012 for planning?
Looking
forward to hearing from you all.
David
Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------.
From:
kazim2u@hotmail.com
Date:
Mon, 14 May 2012 21:49:59 -0400
Yes
Nigel,
I
will like to accommodate the group with the least amount of planning
possible.
And
I will be there when Joe is in Toronto June 21-26, 2012.
In
addition, I would like this get-together to be arranged without any
cost to anyone to organize the event.
If
we can meet at a public place, a restaurant, like what you all did
recently for roti.
I
strongly feel that we must entertain everyone without making the
group of boys and family an expensive endeavour.
The
important thing is for us to get together and have fun.
So
let us make this event one of coming together with the accent on
family.
This
is my feelings, and I realize others will have other ideas of how
they want to do this reuniting.
However,
if someone wants a gala reception, I feel they should sponsor the
event and not have to put others through their expensive tastes. (I
am not saying anyone is doing this, I am merely sharing that this can
happen).
What
if we cooked some dishes ourselves and brought our dishes and drinks
to share at someone's home as some of the Boys still do.
I
am just throwing out ideas here.
Let
us see how we can do this with respect, love, and honouring one
another, even with some music and some dancing.
Now
that will be great fun.
Thank
you for your kind considerations.
Loving
regards to you all my brothers.......Kazim
------------------------------------------------------------.
Subject:
Joseph Berment-McDowald's visit to Toronto
From:
nigelboos@yahoo.ca
Date:
Mon, 14 May 2012 21:13:35 -0400
David,
It
would be perfect if Kazim Abasali and Joe Berment could arrange to be
in Toronto at the same time, so why don't we ask them up front if
this is possible.
Joe
- on your return trip from Hong Kong, I understand that you plan to
be in Toronto between June 21 - 26 / 2012
Kazim
- I have no idea WHEN you're planning to be here, but is it possible
for you to come during the days that Joe Berment is in town?
If
so, we could have a strong reason to try to get everyone together on
one of the days you guys will be here.
Please
respond when appropriate.
Thanks,
Nigel
------------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-14, at 12:03 PM, David Johnson wrote:
Nigel
It
would be my pleasure to arrange a dinner at a restaurant for a group.
I
will have to know quantities so I could book the restaurant.
David
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Subject:
Joseph Berment-McDowald's visit to Toronto
From:
nigelboos@yahoo.ca
Date:
Mon, 14 May 2012 10:53:07 -0400
Thanks
for the update, Joe.
Dave,
here's the latest.
Now,
as it turns out, I expect to be active in the Sarnia area during June
and as such, I'm going to find it difficult to be free to make any
"preparations" for Joe's visit.
Would
you be free and willing to undertake arranging a little get together
for him?
I'd
love to attend, myself.
And
others in Ontario might like to also be there.
I'd
suggest that a date during his return visit from Hong Kong might be a
better time.
Please
let me know if you'd like to handle it.
Nigel
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-14, at 10:36 AM, Joseph Berment-McDowald wrote:
Dear
Nigel,
I
very much appreciate David's initiative.
I
and David haven’t seen or spoken to one another for over twenty
years, although I remember him very kindly. Rory, David, Marlon and
the Guio’s and I have always been especially close.
We
are coming to TO in the 1st instance to attend a wedding and will
only be in town for a few days on our way to Hong Kong.
Regrettably,
I have business to attend to whilst in Toronto and the only free day
is Sunday 3rd of June.
I
hadn't planned that any fuss would be made about my visit, although I
always love to see as many Old Boys as possible.
If
we can have an intimate tête-à -tête over a meal it would be
wonderful.
I
don't expect anything and wouldn't want anyone to go out of their
way.
I
certainly wouldn't expect anyone to come from out of province to see
me or for anything to be planned around me.
We
will also be in town between June 21st and 26th, which would provide
better opportunities to get together, especially after work and on
the week end.
We
normally stay at the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel, in Vaughan, which
has a certain convenience for small gatherings.
The
manager knows us and may be facilitative, especially if I don’t try
to negotiate down our room rate.
Sincerely,
Joseph
Berment-McDowald
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From:
Nigel Boos <nigelboos@yahoo.ca>
Received:
Monday, May 14, 2012, 8:39 AM
Dave,
I'm
afraid this may be too much of an overkill.
We
had 2 visitors here on May 4th and had a "Roti Night" for
them at Rotilicious.
Then
we expect Kazim Abasali here in June and have begun "pre-planning'
for a little get together with him.
Now,
you say that Joe is arriving at the end of May.
I've
not heard from Joe about this and would like to hear from him.
If
he'd like to meet with the guys, I'd like to know specifics - day,
time, availability, etc. and I'll see what I can do to get some of
the fellas together.
Joe,
please respond. (Any chance that you might plan to be here at the
same time as Kazim?)
Nigel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Date:
14 May, 2012 10:21:07 PM EDT
Thanks,
Kazim.
OK,
David, it's now over to you, I guess - apparently, both Kazim and Joe
will be in town during the period Thursday, June 21- Tuesday, June
26th. It would seem to me that June 23rd - a Saturday) might be a
good choice of date.
If
you agree, then how about sending out general invitation to all the
MSB OB's here in Ontario and invite everyone to come together for an
evening of fun and recollection. You might like to keep Kazim's
suggestions in mind as well.
Here's
a database list of all the OB's in Ontario:
In
addition, you might like to invite Art Gregorio (416-431-4504) to
join us as well.
Please
keep me in the loop.
Best
wishes, and here's wishing you every success.
Nigel
-----------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-12, at 12:49 PM, David Johnson wrote:
Nigel
Joseph
Berment, another Mount old boy, is coming to TO. at the end of May.
When
were you thinking of having the next Roti lime as I know he would be
interested in seeing some of the people up here
David
------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On
2012-05-05, at 7:50 AM, A Mickiewicz wrote:
Thanks
guys for arranging and participating in a wonderful get together last
night.
I
had a great time visiting with good friends, reminiscing, and
remembering the sweet taste of a roti and a Carib after 50 years;
Thanks
Glen for picking up the tab!!!
An
additional pleasure was meeting your families.
May
God bless you all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------.
Ladislao
Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Photos:
Mount
Inside 46 page 02, Fr.Williams
12LK6250LKEFCU,
Ladislao Kertesz and Fr. Cuthbert
12LK6244FAU,
Fr. Augustine
12LK6266MELOGRP,
At the dock waiting for the crew.
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