Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School,
Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 28 November 2015 No. 734
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Dear Friends,
I must comment that the following is an exercise from those that got
mesmerized on the purest Catholic faith, as we got from our stay at The Abbey
School, and those that are on the other extreme, non-believers to these ideas.
I am in the between group, because I have met many worshipers from other
religions and tried to understand their beliefs.
My mother was a Calvinist, my father was Catholic, and in those days,
1941, the Catholic Church required that for them to marry the “disfaithful” had
to sign a letter in which promised that the future children must take up the
Catholic religion.
During my University time in the Catholic University of America, we had
a course, in which a Catholic Jesuit Theologian with a Doctorate degree, give
us a run down on the myths and fibulae of the Bible. He warned us that during
the semester what we were to experience would be disconcerting but at the same
time gratifying because he assured us that it would make us better functioning
human beings.
And yes, he opened my eyes to the effect that when we finished, I was
bewildered as to the future of my Catholic faith, he destroyed the foundations
over which I truly believed that my faith was built upon.
I had to start rebuilding my Old Catholic faith to the New Catholic
faith using the new information and tools. It was not difficult but it opened
up new horizons and made me free to accept the teachings and accept other
religions
Did this make me a BETTER Catholic of the purest form, NO, but it made
me a more balanced individual.
I read books and participated in other religious faiths services, in all
cases as an observer or a curious human, and this moulded my particular faith
based on the Old Catholic faith. I have a modified faith under special rules,
my motto “trying to help others as I would like others to help me”.
I did not want to write this, but I wanted you to know that I too have a
special way of looking at religion or atheism. I also have arguments against
atheism based on a simple mathematical assumption, zero just as infinity, do
not exist. Either are extremes, zero is nothing ?? or it is an extremely small number?? Just as the other is an extremely large
number.
Thus Atheism is a way of saying, “not being committed to a religion” and
since religion is acknowledged then the atheist have something of a minimalistic
religion, each to his own,
Ladislao
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PPS. Don,
I am disturbed that you continue in your
rejection of one of the most important tenets of our Christian faith - belief
in the Holy Spirit - and, it would seem, from your previous correspondence,
belief in the entirety of the Christian faith. It would not be the first time,
unfortunately, that someone who had received a Catholic education had rejected
the teaching of the Church in which he/she had been baptized. I am very sorry
to know this, and I shall keep you in my prayers. Perhaps others might like to
join me in this little prayer time?
I believe that Jesus really died, after he had
been brutally whipped, crowned with thorns, carried a heavy cross on his
bleeding back, been nailed to the cross, hung for three hours and eventually
expired through loss of blood and asphyxiation. I believe that he was truly
buried in haste because of the imminent Sabbath hours. I believe that three
days later, exactly as he had foretold, when the women who had accompanied him
returned to his tomb to embalm his body and were wondering who would roll back
the tombstone for them, they found it already rolled back and that Jesus’ body
was no longer there, in spite of a Roman guard having been placed at the site,
to prevent the possible theft of his body by his disciples.
Apart from his verbal claims, his teachings, his
prophecies and his miracles, the fact of Jesus’ resurrection is the most
important single proof of his claim to divinity. If Jesus had not been raised
from the dead, then the faith of Christians is nonsense. He had predicted his
death and resurrection, and this is extremely important, as you would be aware,
in your professional capacity as a Magistrate.
I believe that Jesus appeared on a number of
occasions to his disciples in his resurrected body, and on one occasion, to
more than 500 people at the same time. I believe that Thomas, one of his
disciples, refused to accept the thought of his resurrection when told about it
by his friends, the rest of the group of apostles, unless he could put his
fingers into the wounds of Jesus and into the hole in his side, caused by the
thrust of a lance. I believe that Jesus immediately stood before him and
invited him to do just that. I believe that Thomas was so overcome by this
realization that a man who had died was alive and talking to him a few days
after his death, that he confessed him to be “My Lord and My God”.
I believe that God does not and cannot lie. He
is diametrically opposed to sin, and therefore, if Jesus has told us about his
Father and the Holy Spirit - “Go. Baptize in the name of the Father and the
Holy Spirit” - then the Holy Spirit is a fact. The Holy Spirit lives and is
continually active in the life of the Church and of the world.
Your friend.
Nigel
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From:
Don Mitchell
There isn’t any holy spirit, George, that is
just a silly myth.
In my case, there is only someone with an
obsessive personality who decides to obsess over the Circular like Ladislao
does. I don’t know any of the younger generation who has any interest in this
exercise. But, perhaps Kazim or Glen does.
Keep well.
Don
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Don
Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>
Nov
30 at 3:22 PM
Hi, Ladislao,
The guys seem to think that you have given up.
What would you like me to do about the two
latest Circulars that are awaiting your correction before they can be put up on
the Blog?
Keep well.
Don
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Glen
Mckoy <mckoy43glen@hotmail.com>
Nov
30 at 2:44 PM
Dear Sirs,
Thank you all for your honest replies. I too
have my beliefs; however our beliefs should be our personal business and shared
with those that share same. We are the alumni of a Catholic school; however we
are not a church. Our members share equal status and respect
despite what their beliefs; we had Hindus, Muslims a couple of Jews. Atheist
& Christians students.
Should any of us have personal opinions, we
should be very careful of the impact, it can have on our group.
Now with Transfer of Responsibility.
Please put me down to take it over, if no one step up to the plate.
I have a very busy life, however, I will try to
do what I can. I will try to find others to help as we have many brothers that
matter, we are not looking for numbers, we are looking for the best, in honour,
loyalty and connection, if you not connected with us and it’s your choice to be
out of the loop. We have a wonderful group of very interesting brothers. Some
of us are happy with how things are shaping out, even if it’s just saying hello
to a buddy on the other side of the world, but thru our media networks this is
possible.
I am surprise that some of our most embarrassing
situations, were by boys that are now over 65 years old.
Now some of the worst disagreement are from some
our most educated & senior brothers. I don't know why this is how it
is, may be because they were the boys that were flogged, they have more
resentment, still carrying old grudges, anyhow none of this will be tolerated
and all such emails will be deleted. We are gentlemen and we demand the upmost
respect of each other, I don't care who you are, the Club comes first, your
opinion 2nd. This is what baffles me, we have about four brothers over 80 yrs
old, just love what's going on, then we have guys in their early 70's saying,
we don't have an Alumni, well we at the Club, do pay attention to our numbers
which is over 111 connected member, and that's only face book.
Wishing all a wonderful day, thank you for just
being here, the fire is still burning strong, Long Live The Mount.
Best Regards To All Knights - we are looking
only for a few good men,
Adios, Glen.
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Don
Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>
Nov
16 at 5:14 PM
Hello, Nigel,
No, I don’t think there is anything about
religion that I fear. Obeah is based on no truth at all, and is complete
stupidness. Its believers and their
rituals are entitled to the same respect as the believers and rituals of any
other faith, ie, none.
Prayer has been proved to be very effective. It
works by acting on the brain, and stimulating the body’s auto immune mechanisms
into play. Prayer is wonderful, for believers. So are the placebo tablets
handed out by doctors, and the homeopathic potions handed out by quacks to
their faithful. None of it is based on science, and is therefore worthless to
those who are not filled with the necessary faith.
Keep well.
Don
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Don
Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>
Nov
13 at 1:13 PM
Hi, Nigel,
I don’t like it when anyone tries to put obeah
on me. It is some sort of violent reaction. I don’t know. I must be sensitive
to superstition, I suppose.
Keep well.
Don
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Jon
Golding <jon@goldings.net>
Nov
13 at 4:56 PM
Don
I think out of respect for the majority, if not all, of the other
members of this virtual club of old boys, you should keep your disbeliefs to
yourself or on another blog.
I know you and your wife have been professed atheists for many years.
But we who continue to keep in touch, and cherish the memories of our
growing up days at MSB, (and thanks Joe for the great photo), would like to
maintain out ‘faith’ in brotherhood and forgiveness for all the shit and
shitongs we had to put up with on the mount for so many years; and not getting
any parenting love from the monks (thank God for that by the way!!!).
Boarding school was really where we were sentenced by our parents. But
most of us not only survived but grew up as strong-character young men which is
what had made us who we are today. And the peer to peer evaluations we make on
one another, through blogs like this one, are where humility, generosity and
honour are shared and respected.
We all have egos and like to show off from time to time but when the
chips are down are we really buddies who any of us can rely on?
Sad to hear about Laz and the Benny Whaler disaster but we must offer a
hand to our devoted brother and help him in any way we can.
Any suggestions?
So if you want to profess you un-faith then do so among your like-minded
friends and family but please leave it out of our commentary.
I meant to write tis note to you a long time ago. But today I’ve has
enough and I know I speak for many who prefer not to articulate their feelings.
Don, I really love you as a Special Bro’ and we cannot escape our bonded
relationship of well over half a century! No matter how angry or disappointed
we may become with each other.
And I feel the same way with so many who are in this circle who were
part of my growing up on the hill!
I believe we are all going to meet up again in the next life and I look
forward to that very much.
As a terminal cancer temporary survivor I have made my peace with the
Good Lord and thank Him (and the Holy Spirit) every day for the answer to
trivial daily prayers I make which continue to amaze me at how they are
answered. These are no ‘coincidences’ since they are far too many to count over
the past 5 years when I went under the knife!
Do forgive me if I pray for your restoration to our family of faith.
Something pretty bad must have caused your turnaround but it ain’t over yet.
God bless you and I know we will meet up again in eternity.
Warm regards
Jon
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From:
Joseph Berment-McDowald [mailto:bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com]
Sent:
13 November 2015 18:00
I thought that you would have some interest in
this exchange of correspondence.
Sincerely
Joe
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On
Nov 13, 2015, at 8:50 AM,
GEORGE
MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net> wrote:
Hi Guys
Have been reflecting on Don’s note while waiting for a potential reply
from Ladislao.
My suggestion is that we need to transition to a new owner of the
Circulars, or whatever is deemed to be the most valued communication mode,
while the major original creators/leaders/supporters are still around to assist
in the transition (Ladislao, Don, Nigel, etc.). my believe that this transition
would be appreciated and valued by the original creators.
Ideally, new owner would be a member of the last graduating class or
so……highest probability of being alive for the next few decades…..but has to
have love, value, pride for the Abbey School and all who walked in that
beautiful mountain environment.
My simple thoughts after reading the tea leaves and recognizing where we
are today versus 15 years ago when this tremendous effort was initiated.
May the Holy Spirit inspire and guide our alumni group in this
resolution,
George
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Don
Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>
Nov
13 at 9:27 PM
Hi, Jon,
Good to hear from you, as always.
The only appropriate response is the one I gave
Nigel earlier, but which is not in Joe’s circular. It is:
I don’t like it when anyone tries to put obeah
on me. It is some sort of violent reaction. I don’t know. I
must be sensitive to superstition, I suppose.
Keep well.
Don
Please, George, don’t include me in any
future obeah incantations.
Don
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GEORGE
MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>
Nov
15 at 7:22 AM
Hey Don
I did not know what “obeah” meant, so I google
it:
Obeah (sometimes spelled Obi, Obea, or Obia), is
a term used in the West Indies to refer to folk magic, sorcery, and religious
practices developed among West African slaves, specifically of Igbo origin. Obeah is similar to other
Afro-American religions including Palo, Vodou, SanterÃa, and Hoodoo
Am I to interpret that these are your spiritual
related beliefs and practices today?
Not trying to “convert” you……Just trying to
understand where you are coming from, my good brother,
George
------------------------------------------
EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz
EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz
Send information to: 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.
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Photos:
Bandit
p58x p59 The Early Times
12NB4754AJAXREUNION,
13LK6983FBPKEFAM,
Pablo Kecskemeti and Family
72HH0889HHO,
Howard Ho
