Circular No 1043

 

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

Caracas, 1 of February 2022. No. 1043

------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

Interesting articles on PICTURE TONIGHT-

Thanks to George Mickiewicz and his perseverance in helping the Circular.

I had hoped that the now retired OLDBOYS would have the time to cooperate and keep the fire smouldering but alive.

No luck, those that were assiduous collaborators are succumbing to the German doctor.

-----------------------------------------------

GEORGE MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

Tue, Jan 1

https://biggeekdad.com/2022/01/sidney-poitier-through-the-years/

What is your recollection of Saturday nights during your time at school?….a good topic for Ladislao to include in future Circulars.

The recent death of Sidney Poitier reminded me of one of the pictures/movies that I saw at our school 60 years or so ago…..LILIES OF THE FIELD

I have to admit that Saturday night was my most favorite night at our school.  The big question of the day was “WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PICTURE TONIGHT?”

Father Augustine would seldom divulge its name to “surprise us”.

One of the big technical advancements took place when Bennet Hall was opened and we went from 16 to 35mm film.

For me, the worst punishment was to be banned from seeing a picture and spend the time in the Form I room with the other “delinquents”.

Another special treat would be the occasional ones that we saw on special days.

-------------------------------------------------------.

Attila GYURIS <gyuris@yahoo.com>

Wed, Jan 12

One of my vivid memories was when in Form II in 1967 I went up to the St. Bennet’s Hall (we all called it simply the “Refectory” in those days), to watch the Saturday night movie.

The title of the movie that night was “A Man for All Seasons” with Paul Scofield and Orson Welles, and how excited everyone was about it.

If I am not mistaken, the film projector operator was Michael D’Ornellas (“Specs”).

Being all of 13 years old at the time, and not yet having sufficient maturity,

little did I understand that this movie had won several Oscars that year, plus, not being sufficiently proficient in English yet-, I didn’t really “get” the movie at all.

Thus, I remember being quite frustrated with the film, especially with the ending.  But I always remembered the title, and I also remembered how frustratingly clueless I was when watching it that first time at the Mount, … so 54 years later, I was able to watch it again -last year in 2021-, this very same movie classic on Direct TV,  except now I had the maturity and the historical perspective to “get it”, and was able to thoroughly enjoy it.

I also remember being way too often on the weekly “black list” and being banned from watching movies several Saturday nights because of some insignificant (at least to me)! rule infractions, especially like: not turning in a homework on time.

Being on the “black list” was serious business for a kid in a boarding school with limited opportunities for entertainment, because it meant having to sit in the study hall during the Saturday movie nights, under the watchful eye of some prefect or a priest, and having to write out hundreds of times:  “I shall turn-in my homework on time”,

AND in addition, getting 5 licks on the ass with a cane from Fr. Cuthbert or Fr. Theo.

By the time the penance was finished, the movie was close to being over anyway, so all I could do was watch the students pour out of Bennet’s Hall, and come down the road from the Refectory laughing and joking, straight to the dormitories.

I also remember that during my last 2 year’s tenure at the Mount (1967-1969) in Forms IV and V, the Sunday mass for the students was being held in St. Bennet’s Hall (the rear had been converted into a temporary Chapel, because the regular Abbey School Chapel was getting renovated / rebuilt or something.

I also remember a senior boy called Arneaud who was allowed to park for a while his small military jeep in the rear part of the refectory. I was always fascinated by that jeep, and sat in the driver’s seat many times pretending to drive it.

There was also a piano in the St. Bennet’s Hall, and for several years I took private piano lessons from a polish piano teacher at the school.

That’s all for now…

Attila Gyuris

Abbey School 1964-1969

--------------------------------------------------------.

Attila GYURIS <gyuris@yahoo.com>

Wed, Jan 12 at 4:08 PM

I also remember watching in St. Bennet’s Hall, the film “To Sir with Love” with Sidney Poitier and Lulu. I think it was in 1967.

----------------------------------------------------------.

Paul de Verteuil <pablodevert@gmail.com>

Wed, Jan 12

I do not know if it was my favorite movie, but I do remember watching “The prisoner of Zelda” staring Stewart Granger and Debra Kerr? in black and white.

I also remember one Saturday when Fr. Eugene canceled movie night because a few students had broken into the parlor and helped themselves to some of its contents. Since no one came forward to own up to the offense, Eugene canceled the movie. Little did Eugene know that the same boys, (I will not reveal their names because of the Mount code of not snitching on others) snuck out later that evening and went into Port of Spain and watched a movie.

-----------------------------------------------------------.

Jan Koenraadt <jankoenraadt@casema.nl>

Wed, Jan 19

I always enjoyed the Saturday night movies.

When I came to Mount in 1963 the Benet's Hall was there already.

We called it the refectory too.

I have no memories of a 16mm film, only 35mm.

I think one movie made a smashing hit and that was the Sound of Music.

I was having piano lessons from this Polish teacher but after term’s end I quit and continued to play the piano in the Benet's Hall the way Lindsay Moffat did.

He taught me the accords with either two hands or with only the left hand and the right hand playing the tune.

Then he taught me how to play Do Re Mi, oh boy, I was lost from there and started to learn all of them.

I do remember the movie To Sir with Love very well with Sydney Poitier, it must be 1967, because the song was a top hit in Trinidad.

But at the terms end I left Mount for good and in my new school in Surinam nobody had ever heard of the song.

Some culture clash.

I was in a play in Benet's Hall with the Swan Lake of Tchaikovsky. David Narraine asked me to join, he was the director.

I had to act some dancing girl from the side with a dress from silver paper and two branches with silver paper and make some dancing moves.

At the final play in the hall that was full of visiting parents, my branch got stuck in some rope above.

I pulled it and then stuff came down.

That was never meant.

Afterwards you get angry remarks that I shouldn't have pulled, I hated that.

It never happened to me, but I remember so now and then somebody was to write lines in the study hall during movie time.

One time one boy was caught talking to girls outside the borders below the swimming pool.

On my next school I had a motorbike and all the freedom to go anywhere in town and talk to any boy or girl.

I couldn't imagine what was so wrong about that, that it was punishable.

So, when my children were that age I gave them all the freedom too and no threat of any punishment except police.

Nothing happened, they turned out well!

During Form I, I was in the boys’ choir and we practiced in the Benet's Hall.

During that year the movie Hello Dolly of Barbara Streisand was shown.

After that we kept singing that song Well, well hello Dolly . . . . At the end of the year we were all brought to Port of Spain in the Opera house with a live play of Hello Dolly.

It was done so well, it could well have been Barbara Streisand herself, but I can't remember.

Much greetings

Jan Koenraadt MSB '63-'67

-------------------------------------------------------------.

Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Wed, Jan 19

I remember the piano teacher with great fondness. I have no ear or particular talent for music or piano for that matter. The progress that he made with someone that was as untalented as me was remarkable only during one term.

I remember that he used to come on a Friday and have lunch on the masters’ table.

He reminds me much of David Basanta, both of them had the same rigorous uncompromising teaching style that a naturally undisciplined person like me needed badly and I took to it like a duck to water.

Even the most untalented young person with the most unpromising circumstances profits from discipline and structure. Indulgence is failure.

His drills were conducted with military precision and demanded focus and concentration not to mention hard work.

When he didn't turn up after a few sessions I was told that he had died in a motorcycle scooter accident, in the most offhand way.

His death affected me deeply.

I don't remember him having many students, just a few of us. No effort was made to provide a substitute teacher.

I felt that I had found just the right teacher for me and then he was gone.

I learnt how to mourn privately from that experience.

Still remember him and I can't remember his name: Does anyone know?

------------------------------------------------------------.

Joseph Berment-McDowald

Student :1970~1974

Former teacher, head of residence and scout leader: 1974~1975

(PS. Well done Joe, EDITOR)

---------------------------------------------------------------.

Alan Date <alandate@gmail.com>

Wed, Jan 19

Dear Joseph,

You write well. Not just well, but very well.

Clear, and concise, and giving the reader enough to visualize the scene or situation you describe.

(And I hope that I'm not embarrassing myself by not knowing that much greater than I have long and publicly said so!).

Congrats.

Our paths would not have crossed:

I was an Abbey School student 1960-2, if my memory is correct.

My time at the Mount, even the exact dates I attended, is somewhat indistinct: eg. I must have watched movies in the Bennett / old refectory, I can vaguely picture it's interior.

So, our memories differ, and I am grateful for your telling us of your experience with your piano tutor.

I would believe that his name must be buried within your subconscious, so important it was then and so important it has remained for you; ask the Lord to help bring it to the fore.

And maybe keeping a pad and pencil at your bedside might be a smart move for any midnight eureka moment; I trust it will reappear, &/or that others may help.

Oh, and may I suggest, if you are a practicing Catholic and especially if you haven't yet done so, having a Mass said for his soul, all these years later, would be a MSB kinda thing to have done, true?

And I will offer my attendance at my next Mass for him, in recognition of his lasting positive influence on his student, you, and in hopes that I, too, a teacher for the last 33 years of my working life, may have had similar effects on my charges. (And which all reminds me: I've been meaning to have a Mass celebrated for my Dad).

And stay safe and bless'd,

Alan

In these times of Covid,

And stay safe and bless'd,

Alan

---------------------------------------------------------------.

B L <brucelocke@live.ca>

Thu, Jan 20

I attended for a short while in 1961 before emigrating to Canada.

I became quick friends with Ricardo Zschaeck who I very recently found out was murdered in Caracas around 1969.

I had always wanted to reconnect with him so the next best thing to that was to have a mass said for him.

I felt good sitting in Church then. The priest read out his name and I wished him happiness wherever he was. Of course, I wrote his name out for the priest as “check”.

Bruce

----------------------------------------------------------------.

Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Thu, Jan 20

Many thanks for your kind words and encouragement, Alan.

Encouragement is one of the most seminal of acts: with a kind heart and a good example it converts the duckling to a swan principally by his own efforts.

Fr. Cuthbert was the master of the art, one of the most inspirational and totemic figures that I ever knew.

He had the incredible ability to foster an intimate individual relationship with many especially the uncertain rascals like myself.

You make an important point.

Thank you for reminding me of the power of intersessional prayers for the dead.

I will try to remember to avail myself of this grace more frequently.

As I grow older, I am reminded of what a neglectful inconsiderate person I am, not being to firm my promise to remember those who have gone before me in my prayers, even after having composed a litany on their behalf.

The stories in the Scriptures that I love most are those of heinous sinners and reprobates whom the Lord found favour with in their repentance like King David.

"My beloved servant, David, will be their king"

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me."

The tears come to my eyes remembering the sublime sweetness and tranquillity of being enveloped by the cadences of the chant during the Divine Office in choir with the community.

Some voices stand out even today. I can still "hear" Fr Benedict, Fr. Ildefonso and Bro. Paschal with their distinct timbres and there is one other voice which even at 64 escapes me.

May God bless you all and keep you on the Straight Path to the Celestial Mountain.

Yours,

Joe

(PS, please continue with your narrative Joe, thank you, EDITOR)

---------------------------------------------------------------.

GEORGE MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

Fri, Jan 21

Thank you everyone who has read and responded to my original note on this topic of pictures/movies in our school.

It brought us back together for a few minutes in sharing common experiences and a little more of our historic recollections from those early days in our respective journeys in life. 

Hopefully we all enjoyed reading all the contributions by so many.

I sincerely appreciate those friendships with so many of you in the pre- and teen years of my life in that special school on a special mountain in a special island.

---------------------------------------------------

EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com, if you would like to subscribe for a whole year and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to mention any old boy that you would like to include, write to me.

---------------------------------------------------

Photo:

15LK3785FBCDF, Cornel de Freitas

17LK0037ADA, Adolfo D´aumaitre

64LK1094FBTUGAWAR, at the sports field

60LK7887FBCDF, Cornel de Freitas first communion