The organist librarian

To Tooting to get my data transferred to a new external drive to use with my new laptop. I highly recommend Ink Cartridge Warehouse 166 MItcham Road and the whole thing only cost £70! Mass at the drome with Fr Michael. Quiet day with Michael - 9 there. So glad it is continuing! Signed a card for Joan. To RA for Picasso and paper - some lovely work in the early periods. A genius. HIs fascination with bulls and David and Bathsheba. To Allen Hall for the lecture by Fr John Hemer which was outstanding - the link between OT and NT. Met Jacob from the US, David, Andrew and Rosemary. Lovely compline and the chapel looks lovely.

Liz to college. I was acolyte at Mass attended by Aid to the church in need conference. Archbishop Mennini was the celebrant and Archbishop Ignatius of Kos was the preacher. Emmanuel was a pain! So much fussing over a bishop's lost spectacles!  Choir sang Howells Salve regina. To St Stephen's Rochester Row for coffee and cake. Excellent Kamerkoor Cantate Dutch women's chamber choir conducted by Dion Ritten. Michael Haydn, Taverner, Holst, Wood and some little known composers. Their tuning was immaculate! And their expressions excellent. I liked their outfit too - black trouser suits with purple lapel decoration. To park next to Tate Britain for picnic and reading Lipner article about Hindu theology which is very heavy going. Wait for bus (affected by massive anti-cuts demonstration) so tube to South Ken and 345 to Allen Hall. Arrived in plenty of time to rehearse with Derek Hyatt. He is a Liverpudlian former Anglican from Chiswick parish. Good to see Brian and everyone ver...

Swam 30. Liz to take baby seat for Gemma and to see Fr Archer. To interfaith lunch and a good turnout. Jon Dal Din was there. To Heythrop and 6 at dinner time. An interesting seminar from Anton on the "Muslim gospel" and pluralism from Damian. I got his new book from the library. Home to watch Catholics part 1 about Allen Hall - very well done. University challenge was close. Voces 8 on Songs of Praise.

On Friday morning I was sitting on the station reading Morning prayer when along comes Maureen looking as smart as ever. Her son Eugene was tragically killed in a gang fight and he was not a gang member at all. I went to his funeral as he used to come to the library to see his Mum when she worked with us. She said to me "What can we do?". My inadequate reply "Try to do good, speak out against this tragic loss, fight to improve things". Saturday to the ordination of Richard Nesbitt at the cathedral. He was ordained with John Elliott by the Cardinal. What a wonderful celebration with good strong hymns for all to sing and some excellent cantors. Richard will be a fine priest as he is 40 and so kind. We gave him a candle Liz had specially made. The party in the Allen Hall garden which Richard tended for 6 years was delightful. Chatted to Deacon Peter and Fr Michael about music. Saw the famous mulberry which stood in St Thomas More's garden and visited the modern cha...