Circular No 421

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 28 November 2009 No.421
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Dear Friends,

A note from Kazim.

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Hi Ladislao, Nigel and Don,  

This is to inform you that I have changed the name of our website.

Since the 'asaatt' came up for renewal and we are having some issues with the 'Abbey' name, I have called the website:

Mount St. Benedict Alumni Association of Trinidad and Tobago. 
The website name is: www.msbaatt.com or www.msbaatt.org 
Kindly take note and send to our Alumni database please. 

I will also appreciate you spelling my last name properly in our circular/blog

My name is KAZIM ABASALI 

Thank you and I appreciate you very much. Keep up the good work.

Blessings to you and family.....Kazim

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28 sept 2009

From: azizul mohammed  

Hello Ladislao,

I have just spent the last few hours reading the past circulars that you sent me,

Man those circulars bought back so many memories of the school life, and Trinidad itself.

Trinidad's so beautiful, and most of people so kind and caring.

Now a days most of us who live away are so scared to visit because of the crime, and a few bad apples.

I do visit often, but only for 2 or 3 days at a time.

I think on my next visit I will try to spent some more time and TRY to relax and enjoy my beautiful country.

Ladislao, thank you so much for these circulars, and keep up the good work.

Azizul 

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From: salo00011@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:45:48 +0000

Hello Ladislao,

How u doing, its been a long time since I last heard from u.

So are u still doing the newsletter, if u are I haven't gotten any since January.

If u are not doing it let me know what u need to start back doing it

Azizul Kenny Mohammed 

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From: john milne

Date: 28 February 2009 19:05

In the attached photos, the guy on the left in the third pic down with three persons is Gerald Kenny.

Bruce Milne 

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"Robert Huggins"

Caracas, 6 of January

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your reply.

Please send me your comments on the circulars???

During the setting up of the mailing list I only managed to send it to the 1960 class originally and slowly I am incorporating friends that have been corresponding with me and then for whom I have been getting their e-mails.

Thank you for bearing with me and my English!!!

When was your Form V graduation year???

What about your class photo???? Was there one???

Do you have a class list???

God Bless

Ladislao

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Caracas, 24 of February

Dear Robert,

If you look at the dedication at the bottom of the photo you will see that it was signed in 1965, I had graduated, Form V, in December 1960 and the photo was given to me by PG Wilson in Washington D.C during my last year at the Catholic University of America.

He stayed a couple of days there before going to a scholarship somewhere in the US, I do not remember those details but I do remember the bottle of good Fernandez rum he gave me and the photo that I still keep.

At that time I was in the swimming team of the university where I noticed that scholarships were given to foreign coaches with good records, so after a while I made a comment to my swimming coach on PG´s situation.

Again by fortune I had stayed in letter contact with PG after I left the Mount, so I asked PG for his curriculum, which by the way he sent in hand writing, next I had to rewrite it in my portable typing machine. I am sorry that I did not keep the memorabilia of his hand writing and letters.

He was accepted and I met him in a Hotel next to the University, he was very excited and I presume all went well.

From your writing he got the opportunity the he deserved and placed him in the right direction, thank God.

I still have fond remembrances of his person and coaching, since I was in track and field team.

I lost contact with him after that, as I left the US in July 1965 for Venezuela and started to work in an area where communications were not the best, and all I remember is that someone told me later that he had a TV show in Trinidad.

God Bless

Ladislao 

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Caracas, 24 of April.

Dear Robert,

It has been some time since I wrote to you, I hope that the circulars are to your liking, please tell me about them.

I understand that you are in Canada but maybe you can add some more details.

Yes I was in the St. Anthony house together with the others you mentioned.

I did Javelin and discus throw.

Good God, is this the English being written by a Mount boy who took Fr. Bernard´s language class??

Sorry for the questioning but the circular needs soul and body!!

God Bless

Ladislao 

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From:  "Robert Huggins"

Date:  Fri, 27 Dec  07:40:04 -0800

Dear Las,

You now taxing my poor old fuzzy brain.

I went to Mount in 1959, assuming that I stayed until form 5, and went right through would have put my graduation date around 1965-1966, some where in that area.

Gordon Mitchell, if I remember correctly was about a year ahead of me.

At this moment that is all I can remember.

There is a good chance that a couple of names have been mixed, but hope that helps.

Best Regards,

Robert.  

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On Thu, 26 December, "Robert Huggins" wrote:

Las,

I never graduated from Mount.

I left in Form 2 as I stayed down one year due to an accident that I had just before finals.

Robert.  

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On Mon, 23 December  "Robert Huggins" wrote:

Merry Christmas to yours.

The white stuff (snow) hasn't arrived in Calgary as yet, but I promise to send some to you if you send me some warm weather.

This -10 -20C getting too much for these old bones of mine, time to thaw out.

Have a great one and talk next year.

Robert. 

----- Original Message ----------------------------------------------

From: "Ladislao Kertesz" <

Sent: Thursday, May 08, 6:28 PM

Dear Robert,

I need your help for articles or short stories.

Boxhead told me that the rocket did fly??? Can you remember??

Did you build model airplanes???

What was your sports activity?

I just contacted a swimming coach that trained lads and lasses at our pool some three years ago.

The club is called, "The abbey aqua lads and lasses swimming club"

There is a little story on it. maybe I shall write on it.

Did you remember Fr. Francis? and the singing?

I am asking you all this to get new writer for the Circular Writers Guild now that the strike is over.

SO long my friend

God Bless

LAdislao 

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From:  "Robert Huggins"

Date:  10 Jun 14:46 (PDT)

Hi Las,

As long as the MSB net work continues I will try to put in my 2 cents.

It's sad to see that so many went there but so few want to write about the things that we did while there.

I don't think that our stay was that bad that everybody wants to forget what they did, at least I don't.

Also I don't think that people are so busy that they can't spend 5 minutes to talk about their time at MSB.

Any how, I suppose that is life, and the world we live in.

No Las, I didn't build model airplanes, instead I watched you build rockets and try to get them to fly. But that's another story.

Actually my sports activity was swimming.

I was also giants B captain of the football and volley ball team, both championships which we won.

I also played cricket, and anything else that looked good.

Have no fear my friend I will try and put something together soon, but I need to get the cobwebs out of this old brain and try to remember some of the things we did.

I may have to try and contact Don Mitchell as I know he, his brother Gordon and I were always doing some crazy thing.

God Bless,

Robert 
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De:Robert [robert.huggins@3web.net]
Fecha:20/12/ 12:32:41

Hi Las,

It's been sometime since I wrote about MSB, and don't plan to start now. Maybe in the New Year I will try as for the past year I have been concentrating on getting my business established here in Canada.

We have been trying to get work going in the area of waste management, in this case animal and human waste and have been slowly making inroads into the market.

It would be nice to try and stimulate some interest throughout the islands, but have not been able to do any work down there.

Maybe there are some old MSB's who are interested in this area so they can contact me. 

In the meanwhile, I will like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family, and the MSB family all the best for the Christmas and coming New Year.

God Bless,

Robert.

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Robert Huggins
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 3:28:50 PM

Hi Ladislao,

Thought you had dropped of the edge somewhere.

You bring back many memories of MSB, although some of them are not necessarily good.

However, that is what life is about.

Growing up is being able to take the good with the bad and make the best of it. 

The list you sent me is that just for my info, or are you looking for information on the individuals?

What are you up to these days?

My family and I are presently living in Alberta, Canada, and have been here for the last 10 years.

Still miss home, or more so the warmth of sunshine in the tropics, so who knows what will happen in the next few years. 

Keep in touch and God Bless,

Regards,

Robert  

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Robert Huggins

Date: 28 February 2009 18:59

Hi Las,

How are things with you?

Haven't heard from you for quite awhile but still enjoy receiving the updates.

In the ODM5201 Reunion, the guy with the grey hair is Gerald Kenny.

Are you sure that in the picture with Manual Prada, and George Laquis, the 3rd person is Norman Sabga?

That is not the Norman Sabga I went to Mount with. 

Regards,

Robert  

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Dear Robert,

Yes there is a mistake that has been corrected.

It is unfortunate that Norman Sabga has not realised the mistaken identity.

Maybe he does not read the Circular? Jajaja

Ladislao 

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Now to the photos, please refer to the photos with the numbering system.

Regards,

Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com

So now you have all the exchanges and photos.

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09LK1770TTVISITDINNER, Dion Fakoory, Michael Howard and Christopher Knowles.

09NB0006REUNIONAJAX, This photo is waiting for names, Nigel !!!

58RB0003a2, Scouts group somewhere in TT.

69TF1886MEDALG, The best I could do with the photo provided, maybe Terrence Ferreira could send a better photo for the readers.

Circular No 420

 

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. 
Caracas, 21 November 2009 No. 420
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Dear Friends, 
Some more news on the Incorporation of MSB Old Boys Assn, and I invite you to look up the new name for the WEB page, www.msbaatt.com, conducted by Kazim Abalasi.
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Saturday, October 17, 2009 8:30 PM

From: "dgurley@jdsellier.com"  
Dear Old Boy Promoters; 
I regret that such a significant amount of time has passed without a report from me. Unfortunately the “go-between” contact who has some influence over the Abbot had to undergo by-pass surgery and this has resulted in a significant delay. 

Through the intervention of the now-recovered go-between I am still hoping to persuade the Abbot that he should withdraw his objection to our use of the preferred name for our Non-Profit Association.

If I have not succeeded by the middle of next month I will speak directly with the Registrar of Companies and see if I can persuade him to ignore the Abbot’s objection. 
I will report further next month or before if there is a break through before then. 

Regards,

Dennis Gurley 

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AND NOW OLDER COMMUNICATIONS

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:02 PM

From: Carlos Dvorak" carlos_dvorak@aincosa.com 

Dear Peter,

Please make sure that Fr. Abbot understands that WE ARE PROUD TO BE alumni of THE ABBEY SCHOOL, and we feel that thanks to that we are special type of persons.

God bless you.

CARLOS DVORAK 
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On 29-Jun-09, at 4:27 PM, Don Mitchell CBE QC wrote: 

Hi Azizul,

You got the point.

We can register the company with any name that is acceptable. 

Then, all we have to do is call it what we want as an "aka".  

A company is not normally allowed to do business using an aka. 

But, so long as we keep it an informal aka, there should be no legal problem. 

So, just as an example, the company could be registered as "Company No MSB123 Limited." 

We put that official name on the company letterhead. 

Then, we also put on the letterhead, not as part of the name, but as a sort of banner, something like, "An Association of Old Boys of the Abbey School, Mount St Benedict, Tunapuna, Trinidad", or whatever we want.

That way, it is not part of the legal name, but we make it clear to anyone reading our stuff who we are.

Don 

----- Original Message ---------------------------------------------------------------------

From: azizul mohammed
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 3:43 PM 
So how about “The Abbey Mt ST Benedict Old Boys Association”? 

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Monday, June 29, 2009 5:51 PM

"Attila GYURIS"  

My brothers:

I agree that the name "Abbey School" belongs to us, alumni, and we should be able to use it for good purposes.

BUT the unfortunate reality is that if the name cannot be incorporated or registered in Trinidad, because the Registrar of Companies of Trinidad will not accept it as a legal entity then we can only exist in cyberspace, and we cannot have any legal / financial standing.

We live in a different world today, with all the litigiousness and abusive legal manoeuvring that exists in our society.

So in a way I can understand the Abbot's caution. 

I am sure he did not make this decision unilaterally, I am sure he was advised by others.

I think one of our options maybe then to incorporate/register it in another country where the registrar will not have any objections and no permission from the Abbot is required (?).

While this maybe a legal workaround, it may still antagonise the Abbot towards us, and do we want that? 

Should we even care about that? 

Or should we forge ahead and disregard the Abbot's wishes and use the name Abbey School anyway?

I am not sure what the consequences, if any, there would be.  

Just because something is legal to do, it may not be the right thing to do.

That is the question we must answer first.

Once we answer that, we can go to the next decision: 
1) If we decide to use the name "Abbey School" anyway, then one of the options would be to incorporate in another country.  "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead." 
2) If we decide to bend over and obey the Abbot's wishes, then we will have to come up with another name which would acceptable to the Registrar of Companies in Trinidad. 

I am personally for option 2.

Regards,

Attila Gyuris 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Glen Mckoy mckoy43glen@hotmail.com
Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 9:54 AM 

CHECHE, ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE,  THANKS MAN. G#1.

A KNIGHT OF THE LAW. 

My Dear Brother Dennis,

I first, must thank you, on behalf of all of us out here, as Shaun said, out in CyberSpace, yes the invisible members, the support you cannot see,

However we stand with you, our faces on the Front. 

I understand that the Abbot does not approve of the name "Abbey School" as part of our Home Base, Non-profit association of us past students, of the school.  

We came is Peace, where is the Love and where is the Compassion?

The Abbot has made this decision based on recent unfortunate circumstances, in which the name of the Abbey has been used with detrimental consequences. 

With great respect to the Abbot, who the hell gave these people permission to use our name ?? 

If the people who used out name are old abbey school boys, we need to know this, and we will fix this problem, and correct the situation. 

If these people are not old abbey school boys, we cannot accept your decision. 

As other Abbey schools around the world are registered, and sanctioned to have a non-profit Club, by their respectable church, I hope that these rules are not being broken as we go along.     

Also the Abbot must have no fear of the school re-opening, all pipe dreams, and not single thing can be done on the mount with out his permission, so I see absolutely no problems, but assumptions, now we in the realm have Faith, we hope the Abbot also have Faith. 

In God we Trust. 

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(This is what my brother Trevor had to say) 

Just saw an email from Glen regarding the matter of the name The Abbey School

The objection of the present Abbot to the use of this name

Well as far as I am concerned the name belongs to all of us who spent many years of our lives at that place.

I think that his request should be ignored 

One would have thought that he would have been Proud to have the name of the Abbey portrayed around the world and understand that most of the old pupils are proud to have been a student of the MOUNT 

What ever is finally decided I am with you all

Regards Trevor Evelyn

1945 to 1949 and proud of it 
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Dear Shaun, 

Thank you for your opinion. 

I must 1st. say how proud; it is to read your email, a younger Knight who has seen the light. 

The Abbey School/ Old Boys Private Club 1942-2009. 

We have paid our dues, a long time ago, this is our show, if you did not attend the Abbey School, during the years of preparation for this time, in the Power of Now, you will not know, for we are sacred, secret, we are an invisible elite alumni, we have been here, in Cyberspace conducting our activities, long before an official alumni was established. 

We are world wide, with the only common denominator, that holds us together, The Abbey School,Mt.St.Benedict, Tunapuna, Trinidad & Tobago. 

We extend ourselves only with kindness and support, to our good brothers who still reside, in the land of our Castle.  

We even pay respect for the people who worked around us, teachers etc, from our past, we offer honorary membership. 

To the few that we have come to respect.  

We are of no ego no more, we do not want for our selves, but only the survival of the Castle, if possible ?? 

If not, we will continue, as we did before, as we are doing now, and we will do again, in the future.

Long Live The Mount.  

Glen McKoy. 

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Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:10:36 -0400

From: reglaw@gmail.com 

Dear Dennis,

How pleasant to know about you!

Thank you for your information which I have carefully reviewed.

In spite of Fr. Abbot's explanations, which I deeply respect, I admit not to fully understand the reservations which Fr. Abbot may have with respect to old students using the "Abbey School" name. 

It is clear that we would not make any wrong use of the name or take advantage of it for any particular agenda.

That issue could even be ruled in the institutional bylaws. (Could we suggest this to Fr. Abbot?)

However, Fr. Abbot bears the authority to decide and he has expressed his opinion which we must observe.

Please extend my warm regards to all at home !

CheChe/ Rafael 

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From: peter.a.tang@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:11:46 +0000 

Don,

Don't think we should cave in so easily.

Part of the problem I believe is that the Abbot was never a part of the Abbey School and can't be expected to feel what we all do.

The challenge is, to transfer our feelings to him.

Logic won't work because, his response is not logical but is solely based on, a bad experience he appears to have had.

We will get him to feel the light.

Take good care.

Regards,

Peter 

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On Jun 29, 2009, at 4:42 PM,

"Don Mitchell CBE QC" <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote: 

Hello Old Boys,

Since I now understand that the principal obstacle is the refusal of the Registrar of Companies to permit the name, I recognise that there is no way around it, having once served as a Registrar of Companies myself.

May I suggest "Escapees from the Prison on the Hill", for those of you who remember the old school song?

Alternatively, and as a second choice only, if Trinidad permits letters and numbers to form the name of a company, as Anguilla does, how about the acronyms "ASOBA" or "MSBOBA"?  We would know what the word means, which is all that is important.

Regards,

Don 

----- Original Message -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: dgurley@jdsellier.com
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:45 PM
Subject: RE: THE ABBEY SCHOOL - different ways to skin a cat 

Hi Don;

Peter Tang (who is quite friendly with the Abbot) has agreed to have a quiet word with him.

Peter is reasonably confident that he will be able to get him to withdraw his objection to the use of the words “Abbey School” as part of the proposed name.

I suggest that we give Peter a chance to work his magic.

Regards,

Dennis  

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From: Rafael Echeverría [mailto:reglaw@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, 27 June, 2009 11:20 AM  
I fully agree with Attila ... Rafael/CheChe 

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On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 9:23 PM,

Attila GYURIS <gyuris@yahoo.com> wrote: 

I agree with Carlos.

I don't think he can deny us the right to use the name (?) "Reasons unknown" ??? WTF

I really wonder what the problem with using the name of the school as part of our organisations name?  

Is it copyrighted?

But I think the best approach would be: ... why don't we find out first what the Abbot's objections are ?    
Maybe we can work this out without pissing-off the Abbot. 
After all, we need him on our side.
Attila Gyuris 

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From: Carlos Dvorak <carlos_dvorak@aincosa.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 8:58 AM 

Who can tell me that I am not an ALUMNI OF THE ABBEY SCHOOL, which happened to be located somewhere in a mountain known as “MOUNT SAINT BENEDICT” and therefore I also was a student at THE ABBEY SCHOOL, regardless THAT PERSON CARES, LIKE IT OR NOT.

Atentamente,
CARLOS DVORAK  
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De: azizul mohammed [mailto:salo00011@hotmail.com] 
Enviado el: Martes, 23 de Junio de 2009 06:52 p.m. 

Well who cares? I am in The Abbey School Old Boys Association.

Any objections?
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From: scg1@tstt.net.tt
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:48:15 -0400 

Well, first of all the Abbot is out of place making such demands (in my opinion).

We are, first and foremost, an Alumni of the Mt. St. Benedict - Abbey School .

I don't even think we need to even use the word association.

Alumni says it all. 

The Abbot has no rights to take that away from past students.

We earned that status. 

The Abbey School Alumni, for the most part conducts its activities in cyberspace - email, blog and web site.

We are World Wide. 

You think he'll bring the "posse" and start sharing licks? 

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On Jun 23, 2009, at 6:33 PM, Glen Mckoy wrote: 

Coscarart,

Thank you for questioning our identity, the one and only thing we should be able to have, why? Are we treated like strangers; we are the ex-students

We are reasonable men; a good explanation should help us understand why, around every corner, we have a new surprise.  

Where is the unity of our school & church, I thought we had these ties last reunion ??  Who is in charge ? 

As we are getting mixed massages out here. 

I am concerned, ex-student from ???? where the castle in the sky.

Let’s get this party started, Love to all my bothers, from the no name school. Ha! Ha!   

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From: coscarartsalvador@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:02:07 -0500 

Dear Mr. Gurley,

My name is Salvador Coscarart , I was a student at the abbey school from 1967 to 1974.

I was chatting with Mr. Ladislao Kertesz and he told me that the Abbot father John Pereira does not want to use the abbey school name for the association.

Reasons unknown, but what if we called it “the old abbey school association of Trinidad and Tobago" there are many abbey schools all over the world.

Why can't we use this one I just proposed?

I don't see any reason why not.

Please let me know if we can use it or Kertesz told me about the situation and am taking upon my self and on behalf of all the old abbey boys on this matter.

I live in Lafayette, Louisiana my cell is 337-412-8751,.

Thank you very much.  

Ps: Will it help to get signatures from the old boys that are very much interested on keeping in touch with their brothers from the abbey school .I just got back from a reunion in Ajax Ontario Canada, and there were old abbey boys from 1945, as well as different years, we all want to keep in touch, but will like to do it with an organized association that will keep it private and only for the old abbey school boys. If there is any out put on this matter please be nice and address it to Mr. Gurley whom is the attorney for the present association.

Sincerely and with all my respect Salvador Coscarart abbey boy 67 -74. 

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I believe that this is all on the emails for the Association.

Now to the photos.

Regards

Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com

So now you have all the exchanges and photos.

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Photos:

09LK0055TTVISITWC, The woodcraft shop.

09LK0087TTVISITEDIMSB, Alms box in front of the church

09LK0092TTVISITEDIMSB, Mass schedule at the church

09LK1769TTVISITTTASS, Members of the Association??

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