The organist librarian

Played Christ the Lord to Jordan came of Bach both versions in Clavierubung. Found a box at church for the organ music which I am selling and also had a first look at Alan's organ music - he must have spent a fortune! Watched Christmas university challenges and some Christmas Songs of Praise. How can O holy night be the nation's favourite above In the bleak - it's not even a congregational carol! Evensong Stanford in B flat and There shall a star of Mendelssohn. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for a joint recital by the Harpers in memory of Tim Penrose and also the organ builder Bill Drake. Purcell, Wesley (which didn't work so well with the tuning), Buxtehude, Bach, Nigel Ogden. Vincent Nicholls is to be Cardinal - brilliant! 

Saturday to Hurtado centre at Wapping for a 2 hour morning quiet session led by Damian Howard and Anna on Psalm 23 in which we wrote our own psalm. It was a good time. To Whitechapel gallery but Sarah Lucas's obsession with genitalia does not appeal. To Tate Britain to see the iconoclasm exhibition which was most interesting. Surprised to find the members room still closed but saw several films and the British art displays. Tea at Pret a manger. Big crowds to see the relics of St Anthony of Padua and mitre at Mass which was attended by lots of servers. Told Archbishop about our results. For some odd reason we were asked not to attend vespers - very odd. Rebecca and George are a pain. Watched National theatre tribute on BBC2. Commented on Simon Surtees' sermon for Remembrance.

Read the last article for this week's work on Helios - 35 pages about Pieris by Fleming. Swam 20 and Liz came as well. To All Saints Tooting - I was early so had coffee at the Kitchen Table. Rosa Cook's funeral - she was 90. Alan one of her sons recognised me - he used to work on the mobile library. Not that many people there considering she had been church warden - she was 90. Organist was a stranger to the church too - he played Elgar and Bach. There seemed to be no provision for people not going to the cemetery before the reception so I went to Balham and got 2" x 2" photos done for Indian visa. To British library and advice on conservation of old photos and family Bible  - keep in cool place and take digital photos of material now. Bus and walk through Mayfair to RA Now. The prices astronomical but quite a few works already sold. Buses to St Paul's cathedral - long walk to No. 9 bus stop. Nice meal at Pizza express and then discovered speaker could not get her...

Woke up late again - have not had a swim this week. Sean is gaining weight! To Hinsley Room for the whole of the spirituality day and great to be back! Michael Dorey did a lovely meditation on the vine and the branches and we ate the grapes on display at lunchtime! Cathedral closed for filming with Kenneth Branagh. Saw Anton in St Paul's and bought cards. He put up Sharing Eden poster and I took one to Church House bookshop. I shared Brian Wren's "I come with joy, a child of God". Crozier for Archbishop Vincent at Mass for Society of St Barnabas - not many of them. Paul M actually greeted me! They support Anglicans wanting to become Catholic priests. I wonder who supports priests going the other way? The Catholic church behaves really badly to such people - they become "persona non grata" and forgotten. Hardly very Christian! Liz went to RCIA group for her course and enjoyed it. Watched Citizen Khan which is hilarious, University Challenge and a bumper Come...

Our front door! After the excitement of the amazing river pageant, we travelled over to Acton on Monday morning in good time for the street party. Liz made some excellent cupcakes and we enjoyed meeting everyone. We eventually retired to the house to watch the concert which was spectacular and included Lang Lang, Rene Fleming and Alfie Boe. Tom was out with Mark and Stella but cam home to rejoin the street party. We were up quite early on the Tuesday and drove home to watch the St Paul's service and the lunch and procession of carriages. Dennis and Ann-Marie had grandstand seats for the whole day opposite the Palace! We went up to Victoria and just saw the Red Arrows in the flypast. We served at the special mass with Mozart's Kronungsmesse with orchestra and a fine homily from Archbishop Vincent. Nice to see Brian and Fr Michael Dunne. Wednesday worked on the 2 essays and eventually decided to send them in. Sorted out organ music and now have a large pile to disp...

Liz to morning prayer and preparing for confirmation. I worked on the essay up to 3200 words which is good! I missed playing Wyton and Thiman on Veni creator! To 12.15 Confirmation with Archbishop Vincent. It was hot and long. Sad that the sequence was again said! I got the food from the kitchen to Vaughan House for the simple party which was pleasant especially as the outside area was available. I went to 3 p.m. recital by Thomas Trotter at Methodist Central hall where the organ has been rebuilt. He played from memory Handel concerto, Schumann and the Elgar sonata. Stephen Disley was there and met a man from Madras! Liz to evensong and took plates back. I had a shower and listened to 2 items from the choir book for the Queen with the score. Church Music by Julian Philips sung by Truro and Sincerity by Michael Finnissy sung by Wells. Both difficult but beautifully done. Wells also sang Skempton and Howard Goodall's Love divine.

To Heythrop and had coffee and then worked in the library on essay 2. Served at 12 noon mass with Archbishop Vincent. I was crosier. Horrid white alb things with cinctures to hold them up as too long. All went well and an excellent homily. Nice buffet lunch and enjoyed chatting. John Ainslie and Jon Dal Din were there. Had tea at Marks. Ascension not smoke at vespers and gave Fr Michael my arm up and down stairs at Mass. Excelsis sang beautifully - Byrd 4 part mass, Durufle Ubi caritas, Mawby Ave verum. Lord enthroned and Hail the day were hymns. Louise came to stay. Watched programme on Cutty Sark and learning Shakespeare by heart.

An excellent day at Holy Apostles Pimlico about welcoming returning Catholics. Archbishop Vincent welcomed us and Bishop Richard Moth gave an excellent address. I was the only server at Mass, Teresa Brown came from Northampton to play! Workshops on social action and Keeping in touch and Landings both excellent and we heard 2 moving stories from those who had returned. Enjoyed meeting people. At Mass Archbishop Vincent celebrated for New Catholics and Mark spoke about vocations. Paul M told me something exciting in confidence! Watched string final of Young Musician.

Maundy Thursday went well in the round using piano and organ. Small choir coped well. John did turn up although he was on call. I did not get to communion but no matter. Not many congregation. To Morning prayer and I was mitre bearer. Beautiful Vittoria from the choir. Liz went to the Passion play in Trafalgar Square and I helped a Spanish lady get to Central Hall where we had coffee and hot cross. Met Philip, Stephen and Miriam. Good turnout and excellent addresses from Archbishop Vincent and the Mike Rayson Illinois Methodist minister at the Abbey about the death of his 11 year old son. 3 p.m. liturgy beautifully sung. Had to leave before the Casals to get to Selhurst to pick up car to drive to Coulsdon - got there 5.45. Cross of Christ went really well. Adrian played and Bob X 2, Terence, Tony and Francis sang. Greater love and the Somervell Praise to the holiest thrilling. SOme good soft singing in the Mozart and Ouseley. To White Hart Chipstead for a lemonade and took Fra...

More reading and a bit daunted by the seminar article for next week! To Brook Green for the annual dinner of the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen with Archbishop Vincent as principal guest. He made sure he greeted everyone personally. Fish pie and a good white Chardonnay. We sat with Canon Danny Cronin who proved to be excellent company and Catenians from Ware. In fact a lot of Catenians were present! The Archbishop gave an excellent speech. We got a cab to Acton which was great and quick as it was cold. Saturday Liz off to Heythrop for Mass celebrated by the new Principal. The heating went down but was fixed after lunch. We went to Acton library and had lunch at a nice cafe and did some shopping. Louise and Ciarán came on the train to Gunnersbury. I was able to do a lot of reading of the Goddard book for essay 1. To St Paul's bookshop and served by one of my class who gave me a Heythrop discount! Fr Alexander at Mass and the Byron consort of Harrow School sang MacMillan, Palestr...

At Coulsdon we sang John Scott's arrangement of Creator of the stars of night. The hearing aids mean that I hear everything loudly and clearly especially some organ stops (organ has been tuned). I played Wachet auf and "Comfort ye" to match the first reading. It is disconcerting hearing my own voice and I could hear the bass really well, The hearing loop works very well. Practised with the kids and then picked up Dennis and to Acton. Goldsmiths Arms for the party on Thomas the tank engine theme - lovely cake. C gots lots of nice presents and very happily playing with the train set and the musical instruments and balloons. Took Dennis to station and the presents back to the house and then to South Hampstead synagogue. Rabbi Shlomo asked some tricky questions and Archbishop Vincent answered frankly and clearly. Archbishop Kevin less so. Met Andrew and his parents and had a good chat, also a lady who asked about spirituality and Philip Rosenberg and his parents. Kim Burke w...

In my discussion with Rabbi Julia she praised Cardinal Cormac but admitted Archbishop Vincent was an excellent speaker but she is not impressed with him about the Big Society. In another restless night I dreamed about meeting the Cardinal after cleaning the floor of his room. He offered me a tip which I refused. My point was that he took a while to get to know whereas Vincent knows names! Swam 26 yesterday and 22 today and Liz came. We were given a day off by Louise!

Tuesday woke early but fell asleep again so no swim. Beavers put in the carpets at Glyn Close and rang for help to unload the van so John and Darren went up there. It looks great. To 3.30 mass for retiring deputy director of education in Westminster. Should have been Archbishop Stack but he couldn't come so Archbishop Vincent instead and he was as nice as ever. We were mitre and crozier. Chatted to Richard Nesbit about Alexander's homily on Sunday and Abbot Christopher Jamieson - he said Worth Abbey had been refurbished. The music was dire including horrid Eucharistic acclamations and the head teachers did not sing much. To tea and cake in Acton and Ciarán on great form - he loves Thomas the tank engine and loved the little books Dennis sent. Liz bought him a new bath duck. Tom cooked a delicious meal and we enjoyed 2 bottles of good red wine. Watched Perfume. Wednesday to music and Ciarán was much livelier and involved and he sat on the bus quite happily. I went to spirituali...

Tuesday was a fascinating day. To the National Baha'i centre in Rutland Gate which is a lovely house given by Lady Blomfield in the 19th century. Malik Gul gave a presentation to the London Interfaith forum about Wandsworth Community empowerment network which was inspiring. When I think back to those early meetings when hardly anyone came! And now the Chief executive is involved! To the cathedral (just missed 52) to serve at Good Shepherd Mass with the Archbishop. Chaotic with kids everywhere and some poor liturgical practice like sitting during the Eucharistic prayer! Liz set off to pick up Ciaran from nursery. I went to the Gossaert exhibition at the National Gallery which was lovely. Met Barbara Wood and David from Battersea Park and his wife. Only £5 on Tuesdays for pensioners! Tried to cook risotto but used wrong rice and misread recipe so abandoned it! Dennis and Ann Marie arrived. To Beckenham Catenians as the Provincial president was visiting - good turnout.

Swam 32 and a glorious day. Watched the Royal Maundy from Westminster Abbey on the Queen's 85th birthday. A lovely occasion and we spotted Francis Clark and Ann's husband receiving the Maundy. Archbishop Vincent and Canon Christopher were there. Lovely Brahms Geistliches Lied and good hymns too. "Praise to the holiest" "It is a thing most wonderful" and "My song is love unknown". Elgar Sonata at the end. Nice that Manx and European churches were represented. Fixed up the wiring for water feature and David came for a cuppa. Heard some of the Bach St Matthew Passion conducted by David Hill. Picked up Marie. Service went well and feet were washed for the first time in many years! We sang Ubi caritas. John very late and not at practice. To mock thy reign went a bit off key but psalms were well done. It seems the gong was not used at yesterday's funeral so it was not my hearing!

Dennis had arrived last night by car and went with Liz to Bow. I listened to Mahler 5 from the Proms and some Rameau and a programme about eland on the Drakensberg. To St Vincetn de Paul 350th anniversary Mass where I was crozier. Archbishop Vincent on great form and the sound system is much improved. Sr Ellen Flynn sang beautifully and prayerfully. Saw Lyn and Rosemary. Not much time before vespers and Mass - Fr Alexander and the excelletn choir from Billericay. Extra servers as we are to ahve family Mass alternate weeks! Fr Michael said Billy Budd was on radio from Glyndebourne so listened to it. He was at a preview and started reminiscing about Vienne State opera in the Festival Hall in the 50s so I said he should write it all down!

After work to armed police reference group. This was interesting although I can't say much. Movement to ban non-firing weapons which people convert to guns makes sense. It was a long meeting. Liz was at wine tasting serving with other servers and got home at 2 a.m.! I returned home to do the programme for Friday at the parish church. The practice on the 10th went well although they were very chatty. The girls want to join guides so I suggested a Wednesday practice for them which may cause problems. Sat 11th July Liz was up late waiting for Claire to get in touch from Stansted airport. I guessed rightly that Claire had her dates wrong and spoke to Ann who confirmed she would arrive early Sunday morning. I had changed my Saturday. I did the blog and August music list. To servers mass at 2.30 and Archbishop Vincent gave an excellent homily - simple and clear. The Gunnersbury school choir were good. To M & S for tea and Kingsley at Mass. 2 new servers. I returned home and Liz to Bo...

The archbishop seemed quite unconcerned about delays and very humsn. The reception in the hall went well and enjoyed the picnic on the terrace. Liz eventually home at nearly midnight!

Photos MMazur/CCN Up early and parked at Selhurst where we met Vincent Liu's Dad who still goes to St Chad's, South Norwood. Arrived at 10 a.m. and got ready. Greeted by Archbishop of Southwark who is limping and Bishop Tripp. We set off at 11.10 a.m. leading the clergy. All went well and it was a wonderful ceremony with stunning Mawby fanfares and MacMillan pieces. The Mawby Ave verum was a highlight. Our movements as 6 consecration torches went perfectly. The Archbishop spoke so well and is so human. I was particularly impressed by the way he gave communion to the deacons. The Cardinal spoke well too - we shall miss him. What a joy to see Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York, Bishop of London, Dean of Westminster and Salvation Army president of CTE on sanctuary behind the cardinals and warmly greeted. The chief rabbi was in Archbishops house and there were many faith representatives in the congregation. Fantastic Widor Marche pontificale with added brass. I helped cle...

Photos MMazur/CCN I was honoured to carry the cross! Liz is in the middle of the row of servers. Wednesday 40 lengths. Cleared up garden and took the wheelbarrow back to Kathy's. Liz went up early to clean crosier, thurible and boat. I watched a touching programme about orphaned South African children singing in the U.K. Arrived at the cathedral at 2 p.m. for the full dress rehearsal. We now have a big monitor to watch and the colours are terrific. Fantastic Widor at the end with brass and organ. We rehearsed the consecration torches again! Good thing interfaith group was cancelled. We had a call from Louise to say that the scan was fine and the baby is due December 6th St Nicholas day. We are delighted and at last we can tell everyone! We had a delicious meal at a Turkish cafe in Wilton Road and returned for Vespers attended by the Cardinal from Los Angeles. I was crucifer and it was a long slow procession. Choir superb and a long litany to come in. Thomas sang really well especia...