Circular No 641

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

Caracas, 15 February 2014, No. 641

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Dear Friends,

In this issue I apologize to my friends who wrote in the last few weeks, for not including their complete emails, only excerpts. 

I took this course because most of the exchange had been in a private fashion but/and I took the liberty to use those lines that have information on our day to day lives at the school.

Ladislao Kertesz

Feb 12 at 1:38 PM

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Priscilla Cunningham Farfan

Fr Odo passes on - Feb 9

New Prior at Benedictine Abbey Fr Odo van der Heijdt OSB, 83, the Prior at Our Lady of Exile Abbey, Mt St Benedict, passed away peacefully last Sunday morning. His funeral Mass was held Thursday at the Abbey, with burial at the nearby Benedictine cemetery. Abbot John Pereira OSB has appointed Br Paschal Jordan OSB as the new Prior, to help him “chart the way forward during these challenging times.”

Fr Odo van der Heijdt gives the vote of thanks at an October 6, 2012 Mass to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Abbey. 

Born on September 28, 1930 in Holland to Johannes and Johanna van der Heijdt, Arnoldus Gerardus Theodorus Maria van der Heijdt decided to become a monk, the third generation of his family to answer the call to the monastic life. He belonged to a family of seven boys and two girls.

In February 1954, at the age of 23, he made the long journey to Trinidad to Mt St Benedict. There, he was given the monastic name “Odo”, in honour of one of the great abbots of Cluny. On completion of his novitiate at the Mount, he made his monastic profession on June 5, 1955. 

After his Solemn Profession in 1958, Br Odo was sent to Rome where he studied for five years at the Benedictine Institute of Sant Anselmo and was awarded the Doctorate in Theology. 

One of the highlights of his time in Rome was his ordination to the diaconate, which took place at the cave of Subiaco, where St Benedict lived for three years as a hermit. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 9, 1961. 

On his return to Trinidad, Fr Odo was assigned to the Seminary where he taught Theology for several years. Later, he taught the sciences at the Abbey School and imparted to many of the students a love of learning.

According to Abbot Pereira, Fr Odo’s sincere love of the monastery, the monks and the monastic life was the hallmark of his life at the Abbey. In addition to his teaching, he reared chickens, assisted in the kitchen and organised the finances of the Abbey. Abbot Pereira said, “Thanks to his wise insights, the Abbey had been able to manage its finances with prudence and foresight. Of all his works in the monastery, the one he cherished most was that of meeting and praying with the pilgrims. He always had a word of encouragement and wisdom for each and often shared a moment of prayer with them.” 

The Abbot recalled that when he became Abbot on November 15, 2003, he immediately appointed Fr Odo as his Prior in recognition of his sincerity and service to the Benedictine community.

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Nigel Boos

Jan 14

Re: Archbishop Emeritus Kelvin Edward Felix appointed a Cardinal of the Catholic Church

Thanks, Hans. Your input is useful indeed. I guess the only thing to do is to ask the Cardinal-elect himself whether he ever attended school at MSB. This effort is currently under-way, and another OB, Deacon Peter Gittens, who has been in contact with Abp. Felix, has offered to pop the question to him. So it should be resolved soon.

I any case, I suggest and recommend that, in light of Kelvin's acknowledged football talent (He played for the school, didn't he?) and his obvious close involvement with the Abbey School boys (he must at least have practiced with them, no?) he should be at least offered an honorary membership of our rather small and "elite" group of Abbey School Alumni. 

A precedent has already been set with our acceptance of Fr. Harold Imamshah as a member of our group. Fr. Harold had not attended the Abbey School as a student. He had instead been a monk at the monastery and then a teacher too, at the Abbey School. In light of his demonstrated great interest in assisting the ASAA and in maintaining close contact with the OB's, I have long since included him in our database. 

I therefore propose that Abp. Felix be similarly honoured, and I would appreciate a seconder to this motion.

Anybody?

Thank you.

Nigel

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On 2014-01-14, at 1:50 AM, hans-Verizon wrote:

Hi Nigel;

Kelvin was in the seminary when I was there also. Since he is 5 years older than I, he would already have finished high school by the time I got there. So, I don’t know if he attended or did not attend the Abbey School.

Sorry.

Hans

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From: Nigel Boos [mailto:nigelboos@yahoo.ca] 

Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 12:14 AM

Hans,

Do you know whether Kelvin Felix actually ATTENDED any classes at the Abbey School? Or was he merely drafted onto the team because there wasn't enough football talent at the school?

Thanks.

Nigel

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On 2014-01-13, at 11:41 AM, hans-Verizon wrote:

Thanks for letting me know this. Felix and I played on the same soccer team. He was one of my full backs. Later I saw him again at Notre Dame University where I helped him with statistics. Tried to email him several months ago but had no answer.

Hans

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From: Nigel Boos [mailto:nigelboos@yahoo.ca] 

Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 10:33 PM
Gentlemen,

I sincerely HOPE that I'm not making a mistake with this news. After all, I've had Archbishop Kelvin Felix as one of our departed classmates, for at least 3 years already. So much for the information network!

Now, though, i see that he has been resurrected and appointed, believe it or not, as a CARDINAL of the Catholic Church.

Here! read it for yourselves:

Dominican archbishop Kelvin Felix named Catholic Cardinal

Kelvin Felix was archbishop of Castries, St. Lucia

Dominican-born retired archbishop of the archdiocese of Castries, Kelvin Felix, has been named a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

The announcement was made by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sunday.

In making the announcement, the pope said the new Cardinals “represent the deep ecclesiastical relationship between the Church of Rome and the other Churches throughout the world.”

Felix is among 19 Catholic prelates from around the world who were elevated to the office by the pope.

A Vatican spokesman said on Sunday that the pope’s decision to select men from some of the world’s poorest nations reflects Francis’ attention to the destitute as a central mission of the Church.

Usually called “princes of the Church,” Cardinals are senior officials who make up the College of Cardinals, whose primary responsibility is to elect a new pope at the appropriate time.

However, they just don’t hang around until the pope dies or abdicates office. They are normally given many high ranking responsibilities in the Vatican ranging from heading commissions and congregations to leading archdioceses around the globe, among others.

Since he is over 80, Felix will be among three of the named Cardinals who will not be eligible to vote for a new pope.

Kelvin Felix was born in Dominica on February 15, 1933.

He was ordained a priest on April 8, 1956 at the age of 23.

On July 17, 1981 he was appointed archbishop of Castries and ordained archbishop on April 5, 1981.

He retired on February 15, 2008.

Felix has a long career in the Catholic Church.

He was named Principal of the Roman Catholic High School, St. Mary’s Academy in Dominica, from 1972–1975 and Associate General Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches from 1975–1981. He served as President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference from 1991–1997 and President of the Caribbean Conference of Churches from 1981–1986.

As archbishop, he oversaw the dioceses of Castries in St. Lucia, St. George’s in Grenada, Roseau in Dominica and St. John’s-Basseterre in Antigua and St. Kitts.

He has also served on various Vatican committees, including the Pontifical Council for Family Life, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and the Synodal Council for America.

Archbishop Felix was attacked and grabbed on the neck by a man with a knife, immediately after he finished an evening sermon at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries in April 2006. He was not seriously injured.

Since his retirement as archbishop, Felix moved back to Dominica where he has been helping out in various parishes.

The ceremony to officially install him as a Cardinal will be held at the Vatican on February 22.

First of all, I offer my sincere congratulations to Archbishop Felix, and I wish him every blessing in his new role as Cardinal, effective Feb 22. This appointment is the first such for the Caribbean and certainly the first such for our alma mater, the Abbey School of M.S.B. You see, Kelvin Felix is also an Old Boy of MSB (Graduated 1953).

We, Old Boys of the Mount have every reason to be proud for Archbishop Felix, and proud for the people of St. Lucia, where he is the Archbishop Emeritus of Castries, although he now lives in Dominica, acc. to the report above.

Praise God for this honour which has now been bestowed on Archbishop Felix. May God guide him in his work for the glory of is name.

Nigel Boos

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FINAL WORD from Jon Golding

I will share one of my own ‘unforgettable’ experiences with you, so I am no different from Joe or Don.

When I was in Form 1 (aged 12) I sat next to Mousey (Richard) Farah in the big study hall. This was the same year he fell out of the 40 foot mango tree and had his leg amputated not long after.

Great tragedy but Mousey is a shining example of strong character overcoming terrible setbacks.

I could write a book about his achievements. Great guy!!

Mousey and I were best friends since we shared a love of music, he played the cuatro and I was learning the piano from watching Alex De Verteuil and Leslie D’Ornellas (from BG!).

And we used to try to sing the latest calypsos in class from little lyric sheets they had in those days.

We also liked woodwork but were too young for the class Mr De Matas ran. 

So we used to make little objects with our pen knives from pieces of branches from the bush.

Every morning we used to walk down past the old seminary to the old refectory and we would pass Brother Joseph’s carpenter shop on the corner.

So one day we asked him if he had any pieces of wood we could have to carve and he let us into the workshop to rummage through a box of odds and ends!

Mousey and I had a great time trying to hide the small pieces we took away under our shirts.

And we managed to carve a few shapes and animals we were proud of to show we were too young for woodwork class but we were better than them!!

When we had used the pieces up we went back to see Brother Joseph staying behind the others after a breakfast trip back up the hill.

But he was not there so we decided to go in anyway and headed for the box of bits.

We had just finished loading up lots of pieces with our arms crossed when in came a big tall Dutchman, Fr. lI de Fons!!

“What are you boys dong in here?” he shouted.

Before we could answer, he swung his hand hitting Mousey on the side of his head and catapulting him to the floor.

I never forget seeing Mousey who was very lightweight sprawling downward and all the pieces of wood he was holding were flung into the air right across the workshop hitting the walls.

Then he came for me and clouted me the same way so hard and onto the floor and I thought I was going to pass out. I literally saw flashing lights! And my pieces of wood went into orbit!

He then picked us up, grabbed us by the scruff of our necks and dragged us out all the way to the bottom of the hill (opposite what became the yoghurt factory).

And he told us never to go back in there again. We managed to crawl back up the hill slowly to class, with pounding headaches, but did not tell anyone of this unbelievable experience (not even our parents later on).

You can imagine how we hated this man who bullied us beyond any cause for him to do so.

Well, that is not how I feel today. I look back in humour at our stupidity for getting caught! And I really respect “Schroots” his nickname for teaching me (the hard way) to be alert, pay attention and not take things for granted.

The reason is clear to me today. What looked like a disaster we managed to turn into a victory.

How? Well, a few days after we recovered we made up a calypso about Schroots and laughed our heads off at the creative wording which we kept between ourselves.

But every time we bumped into each other we would start to sing our revenge song and laugh our heads off!

We later boasted to the others that he tried to knock us out but failed. So there!!! We were even!!

And I have to say I learned to respect the man a great deal after he allowed me to join the scout troop and I could see his leadership style being way above any of the other monks in the school.

So the key I observed from that ‘bad’ experience (and any others) was to rise above it, by sharing it with a close friend to convert it from tragedy into humour.

But if we keep these things bottled up they will never go away and resurface when we least need it.

So, if you guys can turn that social evening into something more meaningful it would be a great quantum leap for the morale and consolidation of a common positive attitude of where we are today, no matter what obstacles we had to bear growing up. Amen!!

The END

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Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,

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Photos:

MSBAP31MI6512, Mount Inside

13UN0001FOD, Fr. Odo

20140206LKFB2,  Fr. Odo

08LK0007LKEGRP, Dinner in Caracas