Conference

Saturday May 11th up at 5 a.m. and took Liz to Proms queue where she was 48th. Got seasons OK and then went to college. The conference itself was interesting - long debate on practising Catholic issue which was defeated. We all had green, yellow and red cards to comment on changes which were approved. Australian was very funny about white ties being unknown in Perth and some Ozzies do not own a suit! Let's hope we see some changes! To cathedral on bus and servers all arrived except Emmanuel who had indicated he did not need to rehearse at 2 p.m. The choirs did well, Fr Tom cannot see well and animating was a problem for him. The booklet was a disaster despite the hours I had spent on it - an early version got printed so wrong collect, epistle and gospel, line out of Gloria, choirs wrongly attributed, most annoying. All went off OK and the people certainly sang. Group photos afterwards. We served at vespers and then changed into black tie for the reception and gala. Food was acceptable and we danced a bit but both tired out and tube and can to Acton. Bishop John told some great stories about Pope Francis and Archbishop Peter and Philip were both very friendly.