The Pope!

Friday to meeting at Battersea and a phone call about Monday's disaster. To choir and 2 missing but we covered all the ground and had a discussion prior to the meeting due for October 1st. As John cannot come on 3rd and 17th asked choir to make suggestions and we tried a few more items in the Oxford book of flexible anthems some of which the choir rejected immediately! Watched at 6 p.m. the memorable service from Westminster Abbey. Rowan Williams gave a great address and so did the Pope. His speech in Westminster Hall was impressive too. Liz has been watching the live web cast 24 hours coverage. Saturday we were up in good time to watch the Mass from the cathedral which was most impressive. wonderful music as there was at the Abbey and again a very fine homily. We spotted the servers and people we know. Sad that we were not asked to take part but there were some girl servers! We left for Hyde Park and arrived there at 3 p.m. so we were in the second row of the invited pilgrims area. Splendid singing and dancing compered by Carol Vorderman then a procession of diocesan banners. We say Cecilia Howard, Derek Phillips, Paul Moynihan and John Barrie in the crowd of 80,000! We saw wonderful film of the Catholic contribution and heard testimonies from young people. Most moving were the parents of Jimmy Mizen, a young man who works for Burmese orphans and a young man who came off drugs. Fr John Armitage spoke about London citizens. Splendid singing including Farrell and Walker There was much fun watching the crowd on the big screen. The enthusiasm of the many young people was great. We had snacks from our picnic. When the Pope arrived in the Pope mobile the excitement really grew. The splendid choir and orchestra sang the Hallelujah chorus twice and we joined in! We had an excellent view and again a great homily especially the part for the young people when his language became simpler and he spoke of how one must listen to one's heart to respond to vocation. Benediction was beautifully celebrated with the banner bearers holding lighted candles.All was over by 9 p.m. and we walked to Victoria down a traffic less Park Lane, Hyde Park corner and Buckingham Palace Road.The trains were up the creek so we got buses in the course of which we met Mark Nash and his family, a Catenian and a St Chad's parishioner.
Sunday loaded up the car with items for the autumn fair and to Coulsdon. It was not a family Eucharist after all so we sang Rutter and the Clare Benediction.To Purley for Mass - 200 from the Parish went to the Vigil! The first hymn was unaccompanied and the organist arrived at offertory time! I think I was a solo in the communion hymn! To Adrian's for lunch and a lovely Cantemus evensong celebrating Attwood, Walmisley in D minor and best of all Wesley's Ascribe unto the Lord. Liz and Louise sang and Ciarán was very good.