The organist librarian

Sunday Dennis came down - he had been to handball yesterday and boxing today. Set off and held up near Bromley North tip so Louise used satnav to get us to M20. We arrived in time for a practice with the cantors - could not find music for Mystery of Faith so said it. All went well despite the horrid organ and 2 new hymns or choruses. Very nice picnic in Bishop John's garden and had a good chat to him. One spot of rain. Ciarán had a great time with the other kids and the Scaletrix! We were home by 5.30 so I went to the Prom -  to my surprise got a 52 straight away both ways and chatted to Harry Bramma. He too does freelance on Sundays. An excellent concert Aldeburgh World orchestra playing Britten, Mahler, Charlotte Bray new work and Stravinsky conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Chatted to a lady from Edinburgh and her mother who lives at the Barbican - they know Matthew from Sydney playing contra bassoon in the orchestra.

To West Malling for 11.15 a.m. to rehearse with 3 cantors for Provincial President's Sunday. Horrid organ and swell not working properly - it packed up at start of Credo. All went well and the Catenians sang really well. Had wine on the lawn of the Bishop's house and a lovely Marks and Spencer picnic. Tea and cake in sunshine. Sat with Beckenham and John and Linda. Chatted to several brothers and Ann about music. A lovely day. Caught up on recorded programmes - Life of Muhammad, British painters and watched Sugartown part 1 which made me laugh.

Another very hot day at work on Saturday but found basement quite cool so sorted out queries down there! Ciarán behaved impeccably - his first night away from Mum! The move went fine. Took Bruce out for a drive around the lake area and he in fact drove to Birmingham on Sunday! Coulsdon only 5 in choir so we sang Wesley's Lead me Lord and Bairstow setting again. Finlandia was much appreciated - Granddad's favourite. Straight to West Malling via M25, M26 and M20 - easy to find. Chat to Fr Peter Soper - says we need married clergy. Bishop John Hine super sermon. Anne played and her daughter played violin with Gerard cantoring. Good singing from the Catenians. Sat with the Barretts. Provincial president Peter appreciated my comments on email. Left at 4 and listened to Winchester cathedral evensong featuring Leighton and Elgar Give unto the Lord. I have finally finished Jon Cannon's "Cathedral" - lovely illustrations but his lack of Christian knowledge shows. Evensong ...

Put a new hook on bedroom door and got the water feature working again. Did tax forms for church. To Kent House and left car there and got train to Rochester. Tea at Cathedral tearooms and to evensong sung very well by the voluntary choir. Sopers there and Dan was playing. Lovely setting by Grayston Ives and anthems by WHitlock and Parsons. Served at Catenian province 7 Mass. Liz was mitre and I was book. Both Bishop John Hine and Bishop Michael very friendly - latter knew Mum and Dad! Good music Dan played and voluntary choir sang Rutter "For the beauty of the earth". Dan played Thalben-Ball Elegy and Boellmann Suite Gothique. Train back.

Here is a magnificent icon painted to mark World Aids Day. At the CAFOD Live simply service today in the cathedral, we heard a lot about HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Angolan London prayer group danced the Light of Christ down the nave. I had to light a taper from the candle and pass the light to the bishops. Guess what? The light went out and I had to relight the taper. Keep calm! Bishop John Hine, Bishop MacMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Kieran of Arundel joined the Cardinal. Actually the cathedral was only half full. The music group were great mostly from Stroud Green and we had Bernadette Farrell's Advent litany and God has chosen me. A nice version of St Theresa's prayer by Michael Talbot (not as good as David Ogden's) and we went out to "We are marching in the light of God" with everyone holding candles. I helped Liz clear up as she was looking after the sacristy. Paul Clubb was thurifer at Mass and we had 3 boys to help. Mgr Mark gave a great sermon about meeting ...