The organist librarian

To St John's Wood for SSG AGM and Crichton lecture. An interesting talk on the New-Catechumenate which raised questions. Served at Mass with Bishop Alan Hopes. Lovely music from the Inwoods. Fr Allen was very welcoming. The "lecture" was given by Bishop Kieran from Arundel and Brighton  - amusing and too the point. Keep going! AGM was short and sweet. It seems thet need another trustee so not quite sure why we are to be clerks to the Trustees 3 times a year. Why not make one of us a trustee? Had tea at Pret and served Mass with Fr Paolo. Ed played from Elijah and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Mgr Mark O'Toole is to be bishop of Plymouth. Watched Royal British legion festival of remembrance.

Hot again and had a lie-in rather than swim. Spoke to Bruce and Ann on Skype. Worked on dissertation taking on board comments from George and Anthony. Stephen has been in touch. To cathedral after a meal for farewell Mass for Alan Hope who goes to East Anglia. The cardinal spoke well and so did Archbishop Vincent. I was acolyte with Emmanuel for the first time in the pulpit. Mozart and Gabrieli. Liz went to servers council and I decided not to go to film of Rossini's Armida from the Met. 

One of my favourite feasts and a day at the cathedral. Liz to college. 10.30 a.m. Mass I was boat and Emmanuel was smoke - he is a pain. All in Latin. Choir sang Tallis, Victoria Mass O magnum mysterium and superb Holst Nunc Dimittis. Dubois Toccata. Time for tea with Jason then 12.30 Mass for religious/with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was acolyte with Andrew. Fr Alexander was cantor and Edward did a clever improvisation on Christ be our light. Nice lunch in hall and saw Miriam and had a long chat to nuns from Hayes, Middlesex - two Sister Marys one who knows Michael Barnes and the other had been in Oxford and is now 84. She taught history in Moscow University. Did some reading and to St Paul's bookshop for sale and tea with Liz at M & S. St Martin Anglican choir from Roath, Cardiff at Mass with their vicar - excellent Mawby and Will Todd - one of the best. Home to watch Art Deco icons, a Spanish Hollywood house in Devon and the Orient Express, also Make me a Muslim  

To Terence's for a delightful lunch with cake and champagne to celebrate Adrian's 40 years at St John's. Anne Fleming was there. Louise brought Seán who fell asleep in my arms! To confirmation and Paul was in a good mood and asked what I'd like to do. I ended up doing book and various other jobs as Eugene and Eric did not make it. Tim was assistant MC. Bishop Alan Hopes and 26 candidates. Told Fr Alexander I had a dream about him dismissing me as assistant master of music! He laughed. Fr Michael had his photo taken in the black cope for All Souls vespers on Friday. Paolo has to sign in with the police each week! Watched Michael Wood on story of India and some useful material on Buddhism. Michael Palin in Brazil is fun. Sunday to Catenian Mass for 6 provinces. We took the car as trains up the creek and it was very wet. Bishop John and I was crozier. G minor mass and Mawby Ave verum stunning as always. Nice lunch at the Rubens of beef but we had to wait while each table ...

Swam 22. With some trepidation I emailed about the All Saints day mass pointing out that we should sing the psalm of the day, a gospel acclamation which is an Alleluia and an Agnus Dei not "Behold the Lamb of God". Joey responded favourably and said others had asked about getting Laudate full music copies. The college has no Calamus licence and photocopies abound! Liz went shopping and I did reading for essay 1. Served at vespers for All Souls Day in the All Souls chapel and for Mass with Bishop Alan Hopes. The men sang Anerio requiem. Watching Michael Wood on India but fell asleep! The All Saints day mass was the 1 p.m. one at Heythrop and I sang in the schola. Fr Dominic celebrated. We sang For all the saints but omitted 3 verses. The psalm was a Taize setting of Daniel 3 and verse 5 became the Gospel acclamation! The Schubert mass setting all the tenors found they did not have page 2 of the photocopies so we made it up. Mumbled our way through the Creed as well! Did readin...

Interesting chat to Liz's teacher at lunch where he compared starting study of philosophy to going to dance. Tea and chocolate crepes at the French patisserie near Heythrop - very nice! Served at Confirmation mass with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was cross then book. Catching up on TV University challenge, National treasures, Symphony part 1