Newsletter
for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 11 January 2014 No. 636
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Dear
Friends,
This is
the second Circular of the year, and in the next one I shall include the
commentaries that Don Mitchell sent me on the Reunion 2014.
We need
your input so that the Reunion can be a success,
As a
member of the Association I must dearly ask the other member directors to rouse
the TT old boys, especially those that have distanced themselves from the
school and those that live on the island but are no show.
If it is
because the Association has not contacted you all these years, use the phone
book please, especially for those that have apathy towards gatherings.
My
memory just reverted to our last reunion in honour of Fr.Cuthbert, where I give
a speech on the need to get down from the clouds and make the hash into
workable commitments.
During
the lunch at Union Towers, a movie was shot, and was promised that this would
be sent to all as a testimony of the moment.
Can I
ask if the short movie survived? It should have been posted by now.
I write
this because there seems to be ideas to make a new movie, good, but…..
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Jan 10
FORMER RECTOR OF MSB SEMINARY
Fr De Verteuil – the Liberator laid to rest
By JANELLE DE SOUZA Friday, January 10 2014
GREAT TEACHER HAS DEPARTED: Fr Michel de
Verteuil CSSP's funeral at St Theresa's RC Church yesterday in Woodbrook.
Archbishop Joseph Harris at the back...
One of the most endearing characteristics of Fr Michel de
Verteuil CSSP of the Holy Ghost Fathers, was that he liberated many who were
held captive by their fears and insecurities, helping them to be the persons
they ought to be.
So said Archbishop Joseph Harris yesterday as he delivered the
homily at the funeral of de Verteuil at the St Theresa’s RC Church on De
Verteuil St, Woodbrook.
Fr de Verteuil, 84, died in his sleep on Sunday morning. He was a
priest for 53 years. Among some of his accomplishments, he served as the
Provincial Superior of the Trinidad Province of the Holy Ghost Fathers from
1980 to 1992; was the former editor of the Catholic News; former rector of the
Regional Seminary at Mt St Benedict; and founded the Archdiocesan Pastoral
Centre situated at UWI Chaplaincy, Carmody Road, St Augustine.
Harris disclosed that he met de Verteuil in 1965 while he was a
young man striving for priesthood. Harris said he was insecure because of his
physical problems, especially as a senior priest had discouraged him from
continuing, saying that people would not understand his health issues. However
de Verteuil encouraged him, and told him to have courage, that he would become
a priest if it was God’s will.
“Were it not for Michel pushing me beyond what I thought I was
capable of, I would not have done extra studies,” he said.
“Were it not for him, I would not be the person that I am. The
spirit of the Lord was truly upon him,” he added.
Harris stated that despite de Verteuil’s shortcomings, he showed
it was possible to “make the mission of Jesus alive” as he let people know they
were capable of good things, things others told them they could not do.
Harris described de Verteuil as a friend, father and counsellor —
a man who loved God and all God’s children. “His love extended to all people,
especially those who considered themselves on the margin.
We believe Michael is with the Father enjoying the good things
that God prepares for those who love him,” he said.
The Archbishop said as his health deteriorated, de Verteuil
accepted his limitations with a smile and without fuss, Harris recalled.
Even when de Verteuil was sick in bed, he continued to encourage
those who visited him. Harris thanked God for giving de Verteuil to
individuals, and to the church for so many years. “He will be a hard man to
replace in the lives of so many,” he said.
Harris added that he hoped de Verteuil’s death was not the first
in a line of priests’ death as was Fr Henry Charles’ death in January 2013.
Besides Charles, Fr Neil Rodriguez, Fr Andrew Cockburn, Fr Arthur Lai Fook,
Msgr Urban Peschier, Fr Hildebrand Greene and Fr Knolly Knox all died in 2013.
“I couldn’t take six more priests dying on me like the last time,” he said
sadly.
Harris then asked that God look on the Church with mercy and
raise up priests of the same calibre.
At the end of the funeral mass, Fr Gregory Augustine, the Chief
Celebrant and Provincial Superior of the Holy Ghost Fathers, told the mourners
he was not sad, but had a sense of satisfaction to have known and experienced
the way de Verteuil dealt with people, and made them feel good.
Silent tears were shed at the funeral, which was followed by the
interment at Lapeyrouse Cemetery.
The mood in the church was sombre and respectful as de Verteuil’s
friends lined up along the aisle as the procession exited the church to the
Holy Ghost Fathers Missionary Song, followed by the coffin.
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Glen Mckoy
Jan 2
Hola, Mis Amigos,
Thank You Sir. Nigel, Sir Bandit & Sir George, this is what
you call natural team work, this just played itself out.
Sometimes I feel there are Angles playing with us, and having fun
at it also.
Ha! ha! I treasure these true moments of miracles we share.
Operating from a Black Hole, in Cyber Space, we seem to always
find the Light.
God Bless, this is Our Year 2014.
It’s a Pleasure and an Honour, that Our Spirits Dance
Together.
In the Highest Power of this Brotherly Love, we share, for each
other. Cheers.
Yours Faithfully, Knight Keeper of Incoming & Outgoing
Dreams,
Glen McKoy.
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GEORGE
Jan 1, 2014
Amen......we need our musicians to record it which can be done
across the world with available technology.......a little challenge for Salah,
Bandit, Tlen, et al.
Kind of what was done by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie in “We
are the world”, but in a global studio.
Doing it at the reunion is probably another option.
Can’t wait to hear it.
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Nigel Boos
Jan 1, 2014
Most interesting, Dave.
I guess that "Auld Lang Syne" could well become the
theme song of the Old Boys of the Abbey School too.
We have been trying, for the past 13 years, to recapture our
youth through frequent contact, emails, reunions, small dinner parties and
infrequent get-togethers.
So, aren't these efforts attempts to jog memories, inspire
friendships and reaffirm our common boyhood bond as students of our old school.
What a pity that it is no more!
But we live through our memories and we realize that we are a
rather unique band of brothers.
Our school is no more.
Our castle (as Glen puts it) is being used as a Rehab Centre and
is no more.
But 1250 of us are still here.
We've loved and we've hated.
We've fought and we've played.
We've won and we've lost.
We've laughed and we've cried.
So, as Robbie Burns has said, "Should Auld Acquaintance Be
Forgot?'
Nae, I dinna think so.
Let's celebrate our union.
Our strength is ourselves.
And as each one leaves us to eternal life, let us be happy we
knew him and pray for his immortal soul, that it find peace and happiness in
the presence of our loving Father.
So, here are some words I've put together, which I humbly offer
as a theme song for our little group of OB's of MSB. Maybe it can be sung at
the proposed Grand Reunion later this year?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
As days of old remind?
We're brothers of One Brotherhood
We're Knights with noble name
We're Eagles high with lofty wings
We're Keepers of our Flame
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
As days of old remind?
Happy New Year, Bandit.
Nigel
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Date: Tue, Dec 31, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Subject: Auld Lang Syne . . .
HAPPY NEW
YEAR, DAVE AND JENNIE!!!
Auld Lang Syne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Here is an interesting rendition: don't you kinda feel sorry for
Nick?
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Glen Mckoy
Jan 1, 2014
Dear Alex,
Thank you for your positive reply.
This chap sounds like a good suggestion.
However your input will still be appreciated, thank you my
brother for your time and for just caring.
May you and your family, have a wonderful new year,
Best Regards
Glen McKoy.
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Nigel Boos
Dec 31, 2013
Thanks for your response, Alex.
Actually, I'm not handling this event. Don Mitchell OBE of
Anguilla is the Co-ordinator, and I'm sure he'll be happy to get this advice
from you.
I'm passing along your email to him.
I hope this New Year brings you much happiness, joy and peace,
Alex. May God be with you.
Nigel
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Sterwest
Dec 31, 2013
Thank you George and I will reciprocate your greeting since I
cannot improve on what you said.
And I extend these same greetings to the rest of our dedicated
supporters.
Best for 2014
Jon
Nigel Boos
Dec 31, 2013
Thank you, George.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Nigel
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Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
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Photos:
MSBAP26MI6512, Mount Inside
11UN0001FMD, Fr. Michael de Verteuil
12UN0002FMD, Msg. Michael de Verteuil
64PD0001CHAMP, St. Francis champions 1964
with Fr. Bernard and the Archbishop
