Newsletter for
alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 31 March
2018 No. 856
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
Below is an article
sent by Abbot John Pereira in 2005.
------------------------------------------
From:
"John P" <the-mount@carib-link.net>
Date: 23 Feb 05:03 (PST)
Two priests strike
gold
By Beverley-Ann
Scott
On February 19,
1947, two young Dutch men in their early 20’s, arrived on the shores of
Trinidad and Tobago. They were a long way from their homeland in Holland, but
they were excited nonetheless by the novelty of their experience and the reason
they had made the long voyage by sea. In two days’ time, on February 24, those
two men who will soon become octogenarians, celebrate 50 years of priestly
ordination.
Fr
Cuthbert (Jan) van der Sande OSB and Fr Augustine (Peter) Schreurs OSB have
spent more than half their lives at Mount St Benedict. From the moment of their
arrival in 1947 to the present day they have witnessed many changes not only in
monastic life but also in the socio-economic and political factors that have
shaped Trinidad society for the last three decades. But as they so willingly
explained, their lives in Holland during the time of World War II had prepared
them for many changes.
Hiding from the
Nazis
Fr Cuthbert and Fr
Augustine, Jan and Peter respectively as they were named at birth did not know
each other really. They both lived on opposite sides of the Netherlands.
Jan was
born in Noordorp (province of Luid-Holland) where he grew up while Peter, who
was from a family of ten, lived with his family in Tegelan (province of
Liniburg in the Netherlands) close to the German border. Peter’s secondary
education was interrupted several times as a result of the German occupation of
Holland.
In
fact the Gestapo closed down the school he attended as they had done with so
many other schools. The schools were closed so that the Germans could obtain
young boys of school age to work in their factories in Germany. A decree was
issued which mandated that all Dutch men between the ages of 18 to 45 who were
not working were required to go to the labour bureau to register themselves.
After
registration the men would be called on to work in German factories and would
be transported by train, under the watchful eye of German soldiers to work in
Germany. Men who attempted to jump off the train were shot at once. “Quite a
lot of people did not register, they would hide,” Fr Cuthbert explained. But
the Germans would come looking for them and would take them forcibly to
Germany. Jan was one of those young men who hid to avoid being taken by the
Nazis.
“Our
family had a farm and I would hide in the loft of the barn under the hay,” he
recalls. According to Fr Cuthbert, the underground was very quick to inform the
young men in his village when the Germans were coming but even at night they
would hide because sometimes the Germans would make a night raid. Peter
obtained a job in a German hospital near to his home and was fortunate enough
to secure a permit to return home every weekend.
In the
hospital he worked as a jack-of-all-trades and struggled to get a secondary
education in between. Life was difficult and very uncertain. “You never knew if
a bomb was going to drop on your home.
Some
people had a very hard time to get food especially in the winter because we had
no electricity, no oil….. especially in the last year of the war”, says Fr
Cuthbert. Life continued like this for some time until V-Day when the Germans
were finally defeated.
A wonderful
experience
There was a
procurator priest in the Netherlands who was from Mount St Benedict. He would
go to schools and speak about Trinidad. His base was with some Benedictine
sisters who were neighbours to the Schreurs family.
Peter
was an acolyte at the Benedictine convent for many years and it was there that
he first encountered Fr Willi Brord the procurator for Mount St Benedict.
Fr
Willi Brord had a pile of albums about the Benedictine mission in Trinidad and
St Vincent and, says Fr Augustine with a smile, “He caught me”.
But
the young Peter had heard his call to the priesthood very early in life. “I
always knew I wanted to become a priest, ever since I was five years old” he
says.
Fr
Willi Brord caught Jan as well and before long they were on their way to
Trinidad. Another young man Jan Koot (who would later become Fr Jerome Koot)
also made the voyage with them.
Although
they did not speak much English, they were able to communicate with the Dutch
brothers who were already at Mount St Benedict, Fr Ildefons Schroots and Fr
Odilo to name a few. It did not take them too long to adjust to the climate and
their way of life.
“In
those days I had never really seen a coloured person, before,” says Fr Cuthbert
and for him all these things were refreshing and wonderful experiences. “I just
grew into it,” says Fr Augustine. “Those five years we lived under the Germans
there was nothing except a lot of fear and uncertainty”. The monastery offered
them stability and a chance to become what they both felt deeply called to be.
After
completing their novitiate they went on to study Philosophy and Theology and
were ordained in February 1954 by the late Archbishop Finbar Ryan. Four priests
were ordained that day: Fr Jerome Koot, Fr Theodore, Fr Cuthbert van der Sande
and Fr Augustine Peter Schreurs. Fr Koot and Fr Theodore have both passed away.
Truly fulfilled
After their
ordination, Frs Cuthbert and Augustine went to the Abbey School to teach. Fr
Cuthbert taught West Indian History and Church History at the Seminary and at
the Abbey School.
Fr
Augustine taught English, French and Religious Knowledge and eventually became
bursar of the Abbey School. He also taught liturgy for many years at the
Seminary, where he was Vice-Rector from 1964-1968.
Fr
Cuthbert assisted deceased Fr Odilo while he was parish priest of Mon Repos. He
was also the scout-leader at the Abbey School and was at one stage principal of
the school.
They
have both been back to Holland on a few occasions. “In the early days you were
allowed a holiday every eight years……now we get holidays every three years for
six weeks.”
One of
Fr Cuthbert’s brothers has died and six of Fr Augustine’s siblings have also
died. He last visited his family in 1996. Fr Cuthbert said with a laugh that
the last time he saw his sisters and brothers he joked that they could start an
old aged home since the youngest was 63 and the oldest 83.
Fr
Augustine has lost some of his sight and both men wore hearing aids for the
interview, but their peaceful spirits and good sense of humour made a deep
impression on me. Their recollection of events dates and times belied their age
evidenced by their silvery white hair. These humble men when asked about their
feelings as they approach their golden jubilee told me that they didn’t really
feel any way in particular.
“It’s
not to say that now you retire or something…….there are always jobs to do”. Fr
Augustine, who once took a cooking course at the Sacred Heart Institute in Mt
Hope and won an award for his excellent presentation of a Chinese meal, keeps
himself busy making marmalades. He is a master chef and has often used his
skills in the monastery kitchen.
Fr
Cuthbert, the genius behind Mount St Benedict’s renowned PAX yogurt, spends
most of his time in the “lab” experimenting with new flavours of yogurt and
ensuring that Mount St Benedict’s yogurt quality remains second to none.
“There
are some days when you may feel down because your work doesn’t turn out exactly
as you want it,” says Fr Augustine. Still, I could not help but notice how
happy and fulfilled these two men are in their chosen vocation.
Malaise of society
They have no regrets
about their choice of monastic life and wish more young men would be attracted
to this way of life. But Fr Cuthbert feels that the main focus of young men
today is to make money and move up the corporate ladder.
“They
come here in the monastery and see us do parlour work and things like that. So
they see it more as a hobby.” But as Fr Augustine believes, the general malaise
of society and young men in particularly is that people no longer think
“religiously”.
“How
many young boys know the Hail Mary? How many teenagers at home ask to say
Morning prayer?….That is the poverty,” he says. He feels that people no longer
get jobs that fulfil them but try to get jobs that make the most money and find
themselves unhappy in it. A thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated for Frs
Cuthbert and Augustine today at 8.30 a.m. at the Abbey, Mount St Benedict. All
are welcome to join in the celebration.
Frs
Cuthbert and Augustine wish to thank the members of their community for their
love and encouragement, as well as the many pilgrims, friends and well-wishers
of the Mount, who have supported them over the years with their prayers.
We at Catholic
News congratulate the Frs Augustine and Cuthbert on this milestone in their
priestly ministry and pray God’s continued blessings upon them and the
Benedictine community at Mount St Benedict.
(Very good
article, ed.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: I also
remember the name very well, but the old brain can't put a face to the name
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: I am far
left with hand in pocket. Old age or getting older is a bitch. But my heart is
young and I smile and laugh a lot
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: I don't
think I am in that picture. I remember some of the fellas but some I can't
remember. Some of the faces
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Did you
live not far from school. Did something with Funeral business??
19-11-2017
277-4913: No not me,
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Ok. You
have a current pic?
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: I lived in
Aroma back then Santa Rosa Heights to be exact. Arima
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: The face
is familiar
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: just
kidding with the last one LMAO. Message me a little later, have to go to a morning
meeting, I work offshore. Day starts early. Nice chatting with you. Will get a
better picture
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: I’ve been
up since 5 uk time. Take it easy and take care. Will talk later. Neil
19-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Anthony
Ali.....shit man, I remember you!....well look how de little coolie grow up to
be white, nah ?!?..... yuh use MJ ðŸ ðŸ cream or wha ???...lol. Right after I
left Mount & went to school in Canada !....lol
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: This is
the Robert Bates I remember.. What a thing to say......your mouth moth good.
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: I didn't
realize that bates and dial was abbey boys, I was there from I think 79 to
January 85 Nadim Ali.
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: I think
Bates left a year before me or even after me. I should have finished in 83 but
repeated form five and left in 84
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913 : Hush
nah! Dont let out my secret, now everybody gonna want to know what my
secret is. I am going to have to find an older picture of me. Like
Roberts picture, with mummy's milk still oozing....... LMAO nice to hear from
you brother. Alex what's your last name and are you in the old school group
picture
19-11-2017
(868) 683-0945 : I left in
1979
19-11-2017
+31 6 11599326: My
hobbies.
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: I Know
Robert Bates and Robert Dial personally because of his ex don't remember them
as Abby boys, dial had a younger brother who I remember well, one crazy ass
character myself him Stephen Yates and Allister ray used to hang out together
sometime up by the drama hall trying to see who had fastest time to bottom of
the hill on the eastern side of the PE area.
19-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Dial came
in after I left, but we became friends when I returned.....St.Augustine boys
ting, nah !
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: Hey Rob
how is everything pal long nah see Nadim
19-11-2017
(868) 766-6566: Guys guys
Allu still spelling de name wrong it's Dyal allu up real early strange. Lol
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: U mean
dhal
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Alex =
Neil Trotman. It is my photo that I uploaded. I’m to the left of pic with hands
in pocket
19-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Real Good,
buddy !..... how about you !
19-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: Probably
Still imbedded in us from days at Abbey. I remember
19-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: ðŸ, 🂠ðŸ
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: I am
always up at 5. Eye drops on a daily basis. Glaucoma, well high interoccular
pressure. Dhal is something you eat
19-11-2017
(868) 766-6566: Yep Neil
19-11-2017
+31 6 11599326: Milk
anyone?
19-11-2017
(868) 769-7471: I think I
will pass
19-11-2017
(868) 786-0000: Morning
all.. thought this to be good info. Important to note as well because of the
new act any untransferred vehicle once the camera snaps the plate the ticket
will come to you.. Meaning it's most important to make sure all sold vehicles
are transferred...
Note:
When you lend your vehicle you will be responsible for any ticket as well.
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Makes
sense. Wow, Donald Trump the poet laureate of Bullshit Lane.
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: Yet we can
do without them
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Do without
whom?
19-11-2017
(868) 681-9448: Women
19-11-2017
(868) 755-8672: Life is a
bitch then you marry one.
19-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Some men
ain’t much better either.
19-11-2017
Garth Mc Alpin: Too late
for me....lol
19-11-2017
(868) 710-7521: Neil Trotman Is that
you?
Paul Kanneh
20-11-2017
(868) 786-0000: Morning to
all my brothers. TunTun is it the island of Curacao you live?
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Morning
gentlemen.
20-11-2017 (868) 683-0945: Mornun
Mami !
20-11-2017 (868) 710-7521: <mensaje
de voz omitido>
20-11-2017
Garth Mc Alpin: Morning
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Good
morning. Almost midday here in London. Have a great day.
20-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Neil, is
so yuh want to be ahead of everybody, yuh gone where yuh 5 hours ahead, eh
!!!.....lol
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Boy. Look
ting.
20-11-2017
+31 6 11599326: Morning my
brothers it's 12:47pm here in Holland and wishing you all a wonderful day
today.
20-11-2017
(268) 764-2759: Good
morning
20-11-2017
Garth Mc Alpin: Morning.
So Sheldon, you and Neil could tell us what d day looking like ahead, seeing
you ahead in time...ðŸ ðŸ ðŸ
20-11-2017
+3 6 11599326: 🂠🂠maybe
we can. lots of robbery and murder
followed by cloudy skies and morning showers ðŸ ðŸ
20-11-2017
(268) 764-2759: Freezing
cold
20-11-2017
+31 6 11599326: Yes cold
and rain here ðŸ
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Mostly
grey skies and damp and cold. But not as cold as it was yesterday. I love the
cold anyway. As long as you are properly dressed.
20-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Yeah, but
trinidadians aren’t disciplined & thieves would have a field day!
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: You are
disciplined Mr Bates, are you not?
20-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: I am, but
I can only speak for myself. As when I was in Canada I say them picket stores
because they had raised milk by 3 cents. In Trinidad we just let shit slide!
All because we have a jam & whine society. If you saw how full with cars
Price Plaza (a shopping Centre / Cinema close to me) was last night, you
would never believe we had a financial crisis in this country.
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: But.........as
Sparrow says “we like it so.”
20-11-2017
(868) 277-4913: Awesome
20-11-2017
+44 7956 345480: It is my
little island in the sun. I am living in London.
20-11-2017
+44 7853 384622: Which part
a London yuh is?
20-11-2017
+44 7956 345480: Clapham
SW4
20-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: ‘Clap Ham”
.....lol..... didn’t even thing pigs could get that !....🂠ðŸ, ðŸ‚
20-11-2017
+44 7956 345480: Please
look at the speech that was read yesterday at the retreat by the Pope.
Regardless of religion, see how beautifully Pope Francis wrote about the
family.
20-11-2017
(868) 719-5391: Thanks
Chris.
20-11-2017
Joseph Habib: Thirty
Five (35) traffic lights throughout Trinidad and the sister isle of Tobago will
be fitted with the the Red Light Camera System that will photograph all
vehicles that break the red light and generate a notice with a specific fine
that will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The
Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan has revealed the locations of
the first phase with a total of fifteen (15) will be implemented as follows:
1. Wilson
Road/ Claude Noel Highway, Tobago
2.
Trincity Central Road/ Churchill Roosevelt Highway Intersection
3. Diego
Martin Four Roads Intersection
4. Golden
Grove Rd (Piarco) / Churchill Roosevelt Highway Intersection
5.
Barataria/ Morvant/ EMR Intersection
6. Eastern
Main Road/ PBR/ Mt Hope/ UBH/ Hospital Access
7. O’Meara
Road/ Churchill Roosevelt Highway Intersection
8. Gulf
View Link Road/ South Trunk Road Intersection
9. St.
Joseph Road/ San Fernando By Pass Intersection
10. Rienzi
Kirton Highway/ Cross Crossing Intersection
11. South
Trunk Road / Gulf City Traffic Lights
12.
Westmoorings/ Western Main Road
13.
Shirvan Road/ Auchenskeouch Buccoo Bay Road Intersection
14. Claude
Noel Highway/ Bacolet Road Intersection
15.
Priority Bus Route/ Five Rivers Intersection
20-11-2017
(868) 683-0945: Aye yah
yia, boy.....in Central yuh could fly tru all dem red light !!!....lol
20-11-2017
Joseph Habib: I use to
have that problem. Some of my friends told to loose weight, but was easier to
sell the damn thing.
20-11-2017
(868) 761-8273: Joe you
got your license?
20-11-2017
Joseph Habib: I sold the
car.
------------------------------------------
EDITED by Ladislao
Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com,
if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you
would like to include.
--------------------------------------------
Photos:
98UN0001MSBNEWS, Bulletin
57RB0001a13,
17LK0001LKEAOB, Ladislao Kertesz and Anthony Obrien in Bogota
68UN0001UNKNOWNS, Would like to know the year and names
