Spotlight News Bulletin nº 125

SPOTLIGHT NEWS BULLETIN

The royal couple at Windsor, 1960.

Nยบ 125 MAR & APR 2019

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EDITORIAL We must apologize to all our readers for the late delivery of the January and February

spotlight news bulletin edition

edition of Spotlight. A number of technical issues arose as well as the traditional yearend problems with our printers , which added to our difficulties. We feel we have ironed out the problems and, hopefully, this is the last time I will have to write this note.

The hard copy version of Spotlight versus the on-line digital version has been a subject of concern for some time in relation to the overall costs of the magazine. The British Society recognizes the importance of Spotlight as a means of communication, but feels that if it could liberate these of production costs this would free these funds for the important contribution of welfare help to our community. The decision is that for Spot-

400 copies A publication directed to members of the Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Editor Derrick Marcus dmarcus@osite.com.br Graphic design project Eólica Graphic design Casamarela Arquitetura e Design Printing Gráfica Ogra Proof Reading Alison Steel British Society São Paulo Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 1st Floor, Brazilian British Centre, Pinheiros 05428-002 São Paulo SP Tel.: +55 (11) 3813 7080 contact@britishsociety.org.br

NEXT ISSUES OF THE BULLETIN Nº 126 May/Jun 2019 Deadline Apr 7th Nº 127 Jul/Aug 2019 Deadline Jun 7th

light to continue in its present form it has to be self sufficient.

We therefore request that all who wish to receive the hard copy version help us by contributing R100,00 for the calendar year 2019. This is the same amount that was requested in 2018. We include an individual payment slip with this issue, identifying each reader with a centavo addition. If you are a new reader and wish to subscribe, the details are as follows: Payments in any format to Fundação Britânica de Beneficência. Bradesco: Agência: 78964 Conta: 0000129-5 CNPJ 60.478.344/000-32. Just let us know on 38137080 and we will identify a number for you.

Carnival is around the corner and, as we all know, life only begins in Brazil after Carnival, and soon 2019 will be in full swing, so let us enjoy Carnival.

Let’s spare a thought for the people suffering from the various tragic events which have occurred during the last few weeks.

If you want your event to be a success you need to let your public know about it, and what better place than the Spotlight Calendar. It is free and avoids clashes with other events.

Derrick Marcus

BRITISH SOCIETY

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A 2018 Retrospective by

São Paulo. This project has already benefited 39 people in

Fundação Britânica and British

these two months in operation. And, on December 15, we

Society

finalized the 2018 activities of this project with a Maturity Musicale.

We have reached the end of 2018, an incredible year for the Fundação Britânica and Brit-

• In the Extended Programme, we maintained the exchange

ish Society!

between young and old with our volunteer activities in partnership with St. Paul’s School.

We took off the drawing board a new social project for the elderly, increased our number of beneficiaries, enabled hun-

• We received the Silver Salver from the City Hall of São

dreds of medical appointments and ended this period with

Paulo and obtained our registration in the Grande Conselho

a feeling of having fulfilled our obligation and are motivated

Municipal do Idoso (Greater City Council of the Elderly).

to do even more in 2019!

Do you want to see the complete list with our 2018 achieveA summary of our achievements:

ments and plans for 2019? Read our retrospective on the FBB blog: https://fundacaobritanica.org.br/retrospecti-

• We increased the number of carer-escorts to doctors in our

va-2018-fundacao-britanica/

Care Programme from about 200 in 2017 to over 300 in 2018.

We hope you have enjoyed our results and we are at your • We increased by almost 50% the number of elderly bene-

disposal if you have any questions about our performance.

ficiaries of the Fundação Britânica projects, reaching 156

Just send an e-mail to contact@britishsociety.org.br and we’ll

during 2018.

be happy to talk to you.

• We have expanded the Care Programme to include more

Finally, as we open this new year, we wish you all the best

elderly people from our community and, also, the ones living

on behalf of the Board and the Fundação Britânica team!

in a situation of vulnerability who are residents in a partner

We look forward to seeing you in 2019!

institution of the Fundação Britânica.

This is our good news for 2018 – thanks for being a part of • On October 16, we launched our Conviviality Centre for the Elderly, a new project that that proposes to offer free activities for the over-60 years old population in the city of

our history!

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BRITISH SOCIETY

YOGA 10H00 10H15

BONECA CHINESA

The Conviviality Centre, our new project for the elderly,

I will not dwell on the positive results we had, but I made the

is back again in 2019!

report available online. Just visit this link to see it in Portuguese: http://fundacaobritanica.org.br/wp-content/up-

The year has just began and we are already working hard for

loads/2018/01/CCI-FBB-Relatorio-2018.pdf

our projects. And we have great news:The Conviviality Centre, our new project for the elderly, is back again in 2019!

For the time being we will keep the project in the same format, offering free activities 3 mornings a week. However, there is

The evaluation we received from the elderly, users of our

a great desire to expand this project for the elderly in 2019.

Conviviality Centre, was extremely positive. Theproject that we inaugurated in October 2018 received an overall rating

We are studying possibilities of opening the Conviviality Cen-

of 4.92 on a scale from 1 to 5. This was the same score re-

tre on another 1 or 2 days with new activities that work with

ceived by the Fundação Britânica staff that was responsible

other physical and mental abilities. We also want to start the

for managing the activities.

project in a second place, and will be seeking partners to help us get this idea off the drawing board.

During the two months in which the Centre was operating we received 39 elderly people who had a very high attend-

As we already mentioned on previous articles, the Centre is

ance rate and who manifested high approval ratings of our

open for everyone in the community and we can help with

activities. For this reason, we are pleased to confirm the

transportation arrangements. Just call us at the office or send

continuity of this project for the elderly in 2019!

a message by e-mail and we will be delighted to address any doubts you might have regarding our work at FBB.

SASPD - ST. ANDREW SOCIETY PIPES AND DRUMS The SASPD Pipe Band continues as active as ever. We had

3) 23rd.March

our last event for 2018 at the Prize Giving Party of The São

20.00

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BURNS SUPPER – at SPAC TOWN CLUB –

Fernando Golf Club in Cotia early in December, which is one of our traditional events for the band. We have the

4) 31st.March - FESTA DAS NACOES – BARUERI – at 14.00

following events on our schedule:

– on Parque do Povo – Barueri

1) 16th.March

We will be posting all of these events on our Facebook Page

Celebrating ST.PATRICKS DAY at FINNE-

GANS – at 20.00

in due course with updated information – Please go to Facebook Page – SASPD – Banda Escocesa de Gaitas de Fole.

2) 17th.March Celebrating ST.PATRICKS DAY at FINNEGANS – 15.00

Check it out. We continue to hold our band practices every Sunday at CULTURA INGLESA – SAUDE – 10.00 to 14.00 – By kind permision.

Colin Pritchard. D/M – SASPD.

http://saspd.com.br/pt/

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THE HISTORY OF DR ALBERT SCHWEITZER

The History of Doctor Albert Schweitzer William Moffitt Harris

Doctor Schweitzer was buried inside the Forrest Hospital compound in the exact place he had determined on the Ogooué River banks beside the urn containing Part 14 his wife’s ashes and the grave of Nurse Emma Haussknecht. The cross marking the location was made by him Dr Albert Schweitzer’s efforts after the rampage in 1963 out of hard beech wood resistant to bad weather and and his burial in 1965 the voracity of Africa’s giant ants. During his eightieth birthday party on January 14 1955 he proclaimed his Old man Schweitzer, 88, with tears rolling from his eyes wish to be buried right there by saying “- I feel at home watched his over forty years of work being partially de- here; I belong to you until my last breath”. stroyed by the insurgents. He thanked God that his beloved wife Helène Breslau Schweitzer (1879-1957) Miss Emma Haussknecht (1895-1956) was a nurse who had left this earth six years before, after forty-four years really believed in the objectives and efforts of the couof hard dedication and tough times beside her husband, ple and worked for thirty one years nonstop beside the despite long and severe suffering due to the ailment Schweitzers, remaining there right from 1925 until her that victimized her for years on end. Not at all resigning death at sixty-one. In a long letter to the Albert himself to the disaster and trying to reconstruct his pro- Schweitzer Foundation in 1946, a year after World War ject, going through his remaining two years pushed Two ended, she mentioned that it had been a great around in a wheelchair and crutches when possible, he privilege to help Doctor Schweitzer during the war years kept his spirits high encouraging his helpers and com- due to his leadership and courage. She also described panions to go ahead and do their best to make the how, after the daily toil, he used to play his piano with place shipshape. His 44 year old daughter Rhena took organ footboards tied to the pedals, during the first up her place in the reconstruction by directing and su- hours of early mornings before daybreak, throughout pervising the auxiliary personnel in nursing, laundry, the silence of the night, humming or actually singing kitchen, cleaning, communication and accounting tasks. softly and frequently reciting poems of his own authorship.

In her telegrams to relatives and friends in France, England, Germany, Switzerland and the States, Rhena sent Music did a lot of good to everybody especially to her news of her father’s death. She and Doctor Miller, the for it meant dear memories during years of separation hospital’s cardiologist and her future husband, sat be- from her family. In this letter Miss Emma also mentions side him all night. They said he died of exhaustion and that the misery around them was a strong stimulus to weakness in consequence of a serious circulatory con- continue their work as long as their energies allowed. dition due to his advanced age and hard work. “He is, inevitably, dying and soon he will leave in quiet, in peace and dignity”.

SÃO PAULO GARDEN CLUB

The São Paulo Garden Club presents its 80th Annual Flower Show on September 28th and 29th.

Opening Ceremony will be on Saturday 28th September 2019 at 10.30 am.

Exhibition open to the General Public (free admission) Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 - Pinheiros

http://www.calendariodojardim.com.br/ Judy Beer

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GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

MORE THAN A GLIMMER OF HOPE Dr. Michael Smith has begun this year with some optimistic news about a new drug that can delay and minimize the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. But, alas, Alzheimer’s can’t (yet?) be cured.

Since Alzheimer’s and other dreaded forms of dementia are expected to reach epidemic proportions in an increasingly ageing population, anything to help keep our minds functioning better and longer is certainly good news! Whilst stressing that the research is still in its early stages, he recommends that we do our best to prevent the onset of the disease by living a healthy lifestyle, described in his article in this edition of Spotlight.

One of his suggestions: “getting plenty of exercise”, prompts me to remind readers of my recent “Walkie-Talkie” invitation. Although it has been very hot recently, I have already started walking with one friend on Wednesday mornings, and by the time you read this I hope the weather will have cooled down enough to

encourage more of you to join us.

Of course, we need more than physical exercise for our brains to function at their full potential.We need mental exercise too!

The stimulation of pursuing meaningful and/or enjoyable activities, and even coping with a limited amount of stress,can help keep our brains active and alert. Although too much stress can make our brains feel exhausted and foggy, we need to get out of our comfort zones from time to time in order to keep our neurons firing.

My glimmer of hope is that the “Talkie”part of the “Walkie-Talkie” project will benefit our brains as well as our bodies. I hope it will stimulate some interesting conversations and expand our social circles. And, above all, I hope it will be fun!

For further information about “Walkie-Talkie” or for individual counselling please contact PenelopeFreeland@ gmail.com

HEALTH AND FITNESS

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A GLIMMER OF HOPE As most infectious diseases have been controlled after antibiotics were discovered, and the use of vaccines against viral diseases became widespread, the 21st century faces new challenges.

One is the epidemic of diabetes, and as people live longer, the menace of Alzheimer’s. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to nearly triple to about 14 million by 2060 according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Up to now there was not much we could do about it.

At most, there are medications expected to somewhat slow the progression of the disease. So at the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago, the news that an experimental drug had shown positive results in human patients was greeted with cautious optimism.

The drug, BAN2401, was used over 18 months twice a day intravenously in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease. Those patients had about 93% less beta amyloid in their brains compared with people in the study taking a placebo, a dummy medication.

While all participants saw their mental abilities decline over the course of the study, the group on the highest dose of the drug showed significantly less disease progression than the placebo group on a range of cognitive tests. Beta amyloid is a protein that is the main component of sticky plaques that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Beta amyloid is a normal protein; we all have it.

called alpha secretase, and the two pieces get cleared from the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease, two other enzymes cut the protein in other places, leaving fragments that the body does not recognize, as it does not know how to get rid of it.

These toxic fragments start to accumulate in the brain to form plaques. No drug has ever demonstrated both the ability to clear beta amyloid and slow the progression of the disease in such a short period of time, just 18 months.

Enthusiasm was muted, though, for some reasons, the main one was that the study was not broad enough to definitely demonstrate mental benefits for patients. The drug is also a disease-modifying drug, it slows the progression and course of the disease. It does not cure it.

There were also side effects, most commonly brain swelling related to removal of amyloid from the brain.

In 10% of cases patients had headaches, visual disturbances or confusion.

Therefore, a lot more work needs to be done. Meanwhile, it is important to keep in mind that eating healthy foods and avoiding unheathy food groups, such as fried or fast food, not overeating, having a good night’s sleep, plenty of exercise, and not smoking might be a very good strategy to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

MICHAEL ROY SMITH, M.D. MOBILE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Phone: 99183-2093

In healthy brains, it gets cut in the middle by an enzyme

E-mail: mrsmith@terra.com.br

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HUMOUR

HUMOUR IN IRONY In past issues I wondered whatever happened to the Welsh in São Paulo and the once active St. David Society. Some years ago (and this is a true but unbelievable fact created by the highly paid European Bureaucrats, and this is well before anyone had thought of Brexit) and I guess it also explains why there is no more St David’s in São Paulo.

Brussels bureaucrats wipe. Wales off their annual statistical map in their year book which then cost 50 euros.

Wales was wiped off the map when it failed to appear on the cover of their annual yearbook. The map showed a line from Chester to the Severn Estuary along the English border, but Wales has vanished.

The Eurostat office said ¨We are looking into the error.

No offence was intended to the people of Wales.¨and was a design fault and they all blaimed the proof reader.

They would not confirm if the book would be reprinted.

Maybe they were Brexit fans and did not know it. Be careful. Brussels can wipe you out. So how about you Welshmen and women here in São Paulo? Get in touch with us, and even if Brussels thought you did not exist, we know you do, or at least we hope you do.

We do not have to wonder about the IRISH …they exist and on March 17th will be active not only in São Paulo but all over the world!

The following is also true!

It occurred at a conference on linguistics held at the London Polytechnic some year ago. A professor of Spanish was in conversation with a professor from the University College Cork ( it had to be !) The Spanish professor asked if, in the Irish language, there was any equivalent for the Spanish word ¨manãna¨. After pondering for some moments the Irish professor said ¨Well, yes we have indeed, we have several, but none of them convey the same sense of urgency ¨ Priceless.

Do the marketing people ever read their own labels?

On a hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping. (Damm, that is the only time I have to work on my hair) On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner. No purchase necessary. Details inside! (The shoplifter special) On a frozen dinner packet: Serving suggestion. Defrost (but remember it is only a suggestion) On a M&S Bread Pudding Product Will be hot after heating (and you thought ???)

On a Swedish chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals (Wow, was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

On a Christmas light brand: For indoor and outdoor use only! ( as opposed to what?)

On Tesco´s Tiramisu dessert: (printed on bottom) Do not turn upside down (Oh duh a bit late to tell me)

ASSOCIAÇÃO DE AMPARO AOS ANIMAIS With the new fashion of people wanting to adopt dogs, and the flourishing businesses of pet shops and veterinary clinics, it might help those who have never had a dog to take some advice from a book called “May I Pet Your Dog?”

by Stephanie Calmenson. The sub-title is The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs and Dogs Meeting Kids.

Everyone hopes that the first encounter will be a pleasant one, and lead to a long and happy relationship.

However, there are a few tips for beginners: A Note to Grownups: The surest way to keep your child safe around dogs is with careful supervision. For times when you cannot be present, though, help your child learn as much as possible about dogs. The more your child knows, the safer and happier he or she will be.

Most dogs are willing to be friendly, but the first approach is important. When a child sees a dog, it is usually on a leash. He (am going to stick to the masculine pronoun to make it easier, but obviously everything applies to girls too), waits to hear from the owner if the dog is friendly. If so, hold your hand out, with the fingers down, and let the dog sniff it. Watch for the reaction.

If the dog wags its tail or is friendly, you can pat him gently. Come to him from the side, not over his head, which sometimes frightens the dog.

Always be gentle with dogs. Ask before you touch them.

Remember: Hold your hand out, with fingers down, and let the dog come and sniff your hand. Then, reach gently, slowly, from the side, to pet him.

Most dogs have a favorite petting spot; you can ask if

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this new dog has one. Sometimes behind the ears, sometimes on the side, on his tummy, or on his head.

But: Here comes a dog I don´t know, and am not sure it is friendly. You know what to do: ask if you can pet it, before getting too close. Some dogs do not like strangers; they growl or pull away. In that case, the dog is saying “DON´T come near me. Don´t even look at me. Stay away”. In that case, stay perfectly still and quiet until it passes by.

In the street, with a stray dog without an owner, go through the same procedure. Ask respectfully “May I pet you?” if there are friendly signals, hold your hand out, fingers down, and let it sniff you. The slowly and gently, try petting it. Do not speak loudly, call out to other people, make a fuss. The dog may just run away.

Perhaps the dog will lick your fingers (Kiss, kiss) and say, “oh I am so glad you found me…” and you may have found a friend.

Lula May Reed

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SÃO PAULO YACHT CLUB

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CULTURAL SYNOPSIS There are two painting exhibitions on at Caixa Cultural, Praça da Sé, 111 T.: 3321-4400, until March 31st, TueSun, 9h -19h – entrance free. Both are about immigration and how immigrants integrate into the new community or form ghettos.

One, is by the painter Johann Moritz Rugendas, born 1802 in Augsburg, Germany, lived in Brazil from 1821 to 1846, and died back in Germany in 1858. He lived through the European excessive romanticism and the French academic style which developed in Brazil with the French painter, Debret, with glimpses into future realism. It is worth seeing the drawings and paintings of this German explorer of 19th century Brazil, showing society in the south, northeast and centre-west of the country. The slaves in the paintings show the horror of the barbaric treatment they experienced or the lethargy and resignation of lives tortured and families lost.

The other exhibition is by Leila Danziger showing and reminding us of the horror of a century after, when Jews tried to escape Nazi Germany in overloaded ships heading towards South America. Very similar to the situation of the negroes in the slave ships or the immigrants fleeing Africa nowadays, in dinghy boats. She also points out the work of the Jewish painter Lasar Segall, and his own experience trying to escape from war, hunger and poverty, heading towards Brazil in 1912: His notes on human conditions in these ships gave origin to the series “The Immigrants” (1920) and the painting Immigrant Ship (1939-1940) and the poet Paul Celan who survived the holocaust and whose poem about the sinking of a ship is also shown at the exhibition entrance.

Danziger - Lasar Segal

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The end of the poem points to hope and willpower which takes me to a bird named Tsuru, the Japanese name for the Crane, an ancient bird which, according to legend, kept company to hermit monks who meditated on top of mountains. It was said that these monks had the power of eternal youth. Eventually, the birds took on the connotation of the power of youth and were called the birds of longevity. The birds are monogamous and faithful to one life companion till death do them part. Therefore they are also known as the birds of fidelity, happiness, life. There are fifteen species of cranes but the best-known one has white plumage, black bushy tail and a red pop-up on the head. He may reach a height of 5m and 6m wingspan. About 1000 of them still live on the Japanese isle of Hokkaido preserved from extinction.

Tsuru

Sadako Sasaki was born in Hiroshima and was two years old when the bomb hit the city. She lived 2 km away from the epicenter. At the age of 12 she dreamed of becoming an olympic athlete when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She went into hospital in February 1955 where her best friend visited her and brought her an origami tsuru saying that if she made a thousand birds she would overcome her illness. In October of the same year Sadako knew she was dying and changed her wish for the thousand tsurus. She wished to complete the expected amount for Peace in the World. Friends finished the said number for her and started a campaign to raise funds for a monument for Sadako. 3000 schools started a collection and her statue with an open-winged tsuru was raised in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, on May 5th, 1958, celebrating Japanese Childrens Day. Every year, school children from all over Japan pay homage taking origami tsurus to the monument.

Christina Thornton

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OBITUARIES

John Robert Mills (1938-2018)

out with the Museu do Futebol.

John Robert Mills, 80, passed away on December 24, 2018 in São Paulo. Beloved husband of Monica, father of Lawrence, Robert and Charles, and grandfather of Georgia, Nicholas, Alissa, Daphne, Chelsea, Emily and Oliver. Born on May 13th, 1938 in Vigo, Spain, of English and Basque heritage, he studied in Lima, Peru, and at Downside, in Somerset, before settling in São Paulo in 1967.

John worked for Semco/Evapco for over 30 years, until the time of his death — he worked in marketing and sales all his life and enjoyed the opportunities to travel this afforded him.

John arrived in Brazil while working for Atlantis (currently Reckitt Benckiser) transferred from Lima and almost immediately joined SPAC, dedicating himself to the club for over 40 years. An avid football fan and practitioner of the sport, he played for the club until he was 60, always a gentleman in and outside the field.

Later on, he applied himself to writing about the history of football in Brazil, researching Charles Miller, the ‘father of Brazilian football’ and the origins of the sport in the country, in 1894. His research work resulted in two published books on the subject, as well as numerous TV and radio interviews as a specialist on the subject, and admiration from sports specialists in the country and abroad.

His historical studies formed the basis for the Marcos do Futebol project, which defines important spaces and moments in São Paulo’s football history and was carried

A history and geography enthusiast, visiting new places in Brazil and abroad was a great source of joy in his life, and led, among other things, to a trip to South Africa during the 2010 World Cup at the invitation of the Secretaria da Cultura to deliver a lecture on Charles Miller and football in Brazil.

John was a constant and steady presence in the British Community in São Paulo, especially at SPAC, where he has worn many hats, such as Councillor, Vice president, and Sports Director.

He was also a staunch supporter of the Carajás Scout Group, to which his three sons, two of his daughtersin-law, and two of his grandchildren belonged.

His enthusiasm, warmth, and eternal curiosity will be missed by his family and a multitude of friends and colleagues.

Mills Family

OBITUARIES Elisabeth Hertha von Tiesenhausen Davies 1922 - 2018 Born in Dorpat (now Tartu), Estonia August 06, 1922, Elisabeth was the second of three daughters of Baron Hans Woldemar von Tiesenhausen and Baroness Elisabeth Clara Maria von Tiesenhausen (née von Wissel).

At the early age of 4, she had to leave Estonia with her family, due to the communist advance over the Baltic German colonies, leaving all their properties behind.

Despite being warned of possible difficulties of a new start in a foreign and totally different country, her father decided to come to Brazil and established the family first in São Paulo, but soon moved to Santos, a much nicer city to live in.

Only 5 years later, her father suffered a serious accident, when, during a storm, he was struck by a collapsing wall and three months later, died due to the consequent injuries, leaving her mother and two sisters to take care of themselves.

To support the family, her mother turned their large house into a weekend lodge and managed to make their living, also selling oil paintings as a talented artist and thus raising and educating the three girls, who were then 12, 10 and 8 years old.

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In the mid 40’s, working in Santos, Elisabeth met Edwin Augusts Davies (Rex), a well-known Englishman, who worked for a British shipping company and produced pantomimes at the Santos Athletic Club.

After moving back to São Paulo,they were married in 1948, at the old Anglican Church downtown. They had two sons and lived happily together for 50 years, until Rex passed away in 1998, at the age of 90.

Elisabeth enjoyed her family life above all things and was a very dedicated mother. She was always up to date on current affairs, reading “O Estado de São Paulo”newspaper and watching the daily news on T.V. She was very proud of her sons, Brian (married to Gisela) and John (married to Adriana), and her grandchildren Christian and Michael (married to Laura) and Julie and Eric. In time, she had just become a great grandmother last June to Douglas, Michael and Laura’s first son.

Her excellent humour was remarkable, even in her last moments. She was always kind and never complained.

Elisabeth spent her last Christmas in hospital, and left us on December 28th, at the age of 96. She will be very deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. May she find peace in her new existence.

Davies Family

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ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERMON The beginning of 1918 brought good news and bad news to the allies. The bad news was that the Bolsheviks took power under Lenin in Russia on the 7th November 1917 and they signed a ceasefire with Germany on the 15th December that year. On 3rd March 1918, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between the Bolsheviks and Germany putting to an end the war on the Eastern front, thus liberating 50 divisions of German troops (nearly a million soldiers) to go and fight on the Western front against the allies.

mons that day said “At 11 o’clock this morning came to an end the cruellest and most terrible war that has ever scoured mankind. I hope we may say that thus, this fateful morning, came to an end all wars”.

The good news was that, although the U.S.A. had declared war on Germany on the 6th April 1917 and the Austro-Hungarian Empire on the 7th December, it was now in March 1918 that large numbers of American troops began arriving on the Eastern Front (as many as 10 thousand a day). These new and fresh troops boosted the morale of the allied troops who were exhausted after nearly four years of war.

“The Lord Almighty will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

From then on, the tide of the war changed with the allied troops making significant advances until at 5 o’clock in the morning on the 11th November 1918, the Allied Supreme Commander, Marshal Ferdinand Foch signed an Armistice with Germany in his railway carriage in the forest of Compiègne, France, with the ceasefire taking effect at 11 o’clock on that day.

So, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War 1 came to an end.

But at what a cost! 9 million combatants killed, 23 million wounded, not to mention 7 million civilians who died as a result of military action or malnutrition.

The British Prime Minister addressing the House of Com-

Without a doubt, this feeling was shared by millions of people throughout the world who fervently prayed that Micah’s prophecy which her Majesty’s Consul-General read a few moments ago would finally take place and that:

Unfortunately, as we have seen far too many times in the 100 years that separate us from that Armistice Day, that that dream and prophecy have not been fulfilled and war has raised its ugly head over and over again.

But it is on days like today, that we must renew that dream and strive for peace in this troubled world.

That wonderful poem that the President of the Royal British Legion read, “In Flanders Felds” was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae shortly after burying his friend and fellow soldier, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who was killed when a bomb exploded next to him.

Now a days the war cemeteries in Flanders are beautiful with lovely white crosses stretching row after row amid green grass and red poppies. However, the crosses that John McCrae was thinking about were crosses just like this one and many inscribed with the words just like this one “An unknown Soldier” Bishop Roger Bird

ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL Let us listen to the words of John McCrae once again: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Yes, let us not break faith with them who died for the freedom we know, but carry the torch of freedom flaming high and bring peace and goodwill to this troubled world so that they can peacefully sleep among the poppies in Flanders fields. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools

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THE ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral will hold some special services as we prepare ourselves for Easter.

humility given by his example in the washing of their feet.

On 31st March, the fourth Sunday of Lent, we will celebrate Mothering Sunday when we ask all those present (children and adults) to bring a beautiful flower to the 10 o’clock service. We will then build a floral cross in honour of our mothers whether living or deceased.

On 21st April, Easter Sunday, we will be celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour at the 10 o’clock service in English.

On 18th April, Maundy Thursday, we will hold a special service at 7:30 p.m. when we celebrate the institution of Holy Communion by our Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Supper with his disciples and also recall his lesson of

What can you do if you are unable to get to the Cathedral to attend a service?

Thanks to modern technology all services in English or Portuguese are recorded on video and can be viewed on-line or at a later date on the site:

www.catedralanglicana.tv.br

CALENDAR I DEATH

Event

Date

Time

Place

Sponsor

St David´s Day

March 1

St Patrick´s Day

March 17

Mothering Sunday Service

March 31

10.00

St Paul´s Cathedral

St Paul´s Anglican Cathedral

Maundy Thursday Service

Apr 18

19.30

St Paul´s Cathedral

St Paul´s Anglican Cathedral

Easter Morning Service

Apr 21

10.00

St Paul´s Cathedral

St Paul´s Anglican Cathedral

29th Alpha Course

Apr 21

19.45

St Paul´s Cathedral

St Paul´s Anglican Cathedral

Legion Churrasco

Apr 27

12 to 4

St. Paul´s School

Royal British Centre

St Paul´s School Festival

May 04

3 to 5

St. Paul´s School

St. Paul´s School

Queens Birthday Celebration

May 05

Brazilian British Centre

British Society

International Day

´Jun 01

11 to 5

St. Paul´s School

St. Paul´s School

Festa Junina Anglicana

Jun 20

12.00

St Paul´s Cathedral

St Paul´s Anglican Cathedral

Annual Flower Show

Sept 28/29

10.30

Brazilian British Centre

São Paulo Garden Club

DEATH Anthony Thomas As we go to press we have just heard of the sad passing of Anthony Thomas.

Our condolences to the family.

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