The organist librarian

I woke at 6 and the boys arrived at 7! Sean why are you Bald? You're an old man. Me 71 is not old and you should have respect four dear grandfather! Fire alarm drill at school. A year 1 girl asked my name and then thanked me for making the library so nice. I was very touched. D'Arcy Trinkwon played well at Bedford Park and 60 there. Fine paintings on show too.The must see exhibition is Splendours of the sub-continent at the Queen's gallery. It is superb and wonderful to see so many beautiful things plus Queen Victoria's Hindustani notebooks. To Our Lady of the Annunciation Addiscombe for Faith in Action Croydon Deanery Justice and Peace service with Bishop Paul Hendricks. It was not a Mass and had unusual elements like sharing bread and moving around for the peace. The blessing of the new cross by everybody present took for ever and was accompanied by David Ogden's Christ has no body. Caroline who was at Coloma a year above Louise sang a solo set to a tune from Car...

To swim, vote (driving around trying to find Merstham Road) Mass, St Stephen Norbury for art but ended up playing the organ to an apprecative audience of artists -Andrew Moore, Elgar, Bach and Coleridge-Taylor Melody. Then to Friends meeting house Forest Hill for an interesting presentation and worship arranged for RC Southwark ecumenical commission. Bishop Paul Hendricks was there. #ROHManon at East Dulwich picturehouse. This ballet has everything - romance, humour, drama, superb dancing and music. Home at 11.

To the Kairos centre for Balham circle's 100th meeting with Mass celebrated in the lovely chapel by Bishop Paul Hendricks. I was amused by their motto Porta ad Australem Gateway to the South. Sat with Tom from Kingston and Philip. Unimpressed at food dumped on table and dishing it up ourselves. Nice to Brian and Patrick. 

Set off early to get train to Wembley Central then bus. I got off too early and ended up walking round Wembley stadium which was the wrong place. It was Wembley Arena, Met William outside but when we went in Bill said Oh you must be with the other Catenians. I was not on the list. Any way ended up giving out 1000s of bursary fund cards. The kids tended to come in vast droves so it wasn't easy. 10 coachloads from Newcastle. Others got T shirts to wear. I do not think I will dot his again as I got tired standing. Met several bishops including Bernard Longley, Paul Hendricks, Nicolas Hudson and Richard Moth. Matt Redman sang - not bad but loud. CAFOD and Sarah Teather excellent. Left before final liturgy with the Cardinal. Hold up on Bakerloo so train to Euston. Got to Mass in time. Michael Quaqoe. Watched Real Marigold hotel. Tired out bed early and got up an hour too early! 

Swam 22. To art and painted small canvas of spring from a photo taken at the Barbican. Tp interfaith lunch and not so many there. Met the new police officer in Lambeth for liaison with faiths. Chat to Alan about SGI and saw Gisela. Liz doing garden. Dennis and AnnMarie came down. To Addiscombe for Fr Denis Paul's 60th anniversary of ordination Mass - lots of old faces.

A stimulating CMF day at Kilburn and the Islamic centre of England on prophecy. Good to see  Anjum Anwar   Damian Howard  Chris Hewer Diana Mills and Bishop Paul Hendricks again. I asked a question about Abraham and his sons - are prophets perfect or not? To Mass at Anerley - Archbishop Peter's letter rather dull.

Back to mosaic today and 8 at tai chi!  Reception for Bishop Toby of Bradford by Christian Muslim forum.

To Hurtado centre at Wapping for session on listening. Only 6 there but interesting reflection on Philip and the Ethopian eunuch. Back home. Threw out frozen cauliflower cheese and had pasta and pan au chocolat. Prepared materials for the mosque (still no reply from the Shakyh) and stuff about organists visit to Acton. No trains from Selhurst so parked and bus and tram to East Croydon. Got there are 5.40 to find Emmanuel doing smoke, the girls with wimps, the new guy book. George and Paul Tobin. I said Good evening to Mr M and he once again ignored me. The bishops and Fr John very friendly. The cardinal thanked the servers. It was a mass for evangelisation with bibles given to catechumens. I did nothing while Emmanuel cleared the altar! There were prayers for Paris and an appeal for Aid to the Church in Need.I went straight to the Vigil at Trafalgar Square for Paris and lots of French people there. I saw Bishop Paul and the secretary of the Muslim council who greeted me as John! Catri...

To Abrar House for Muslim Unity forum 8th conference for Christians and Muslims A Cry for Peace with Julian Bond. There were people from Morocco, Palestine and the USA present and interesting discussions. Fr Naseem Nasser as always was excellent. I think people spoke too long and a lot about changing the media, education, civil institutions and political institutions but the point was made that change begins with me! Great to see Bishop Paul Hendricks there and the director of the London Interfaith centre. The Christian Muslim forum clearly needs funds and direction. Had a runin with Cate before lunch - she butted in and I objected. She said I was bullying her so I said she was just rude.

Excellent Bishops' conference spirituality network day at Somers Town with Henry Wansbrough on the psalms. Mark Nash, Bishop Paul and nun from Turvey. Met Michael and Marie from Southwark Catholic spirituality network. 4 p.m.Farewell to Celia Blackden at CTE - she is now working for Focolare in Rome. Julian, Siriol and David from Bristol were there. Saw Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square. To Acton and Tom back from first day in new job in Reading. Wednesday Sean was good. Louise thought cleaner was coming (in fact she was ill) so we went to the gym before Watermans. Good evensong from Queens Oxford with Cecila McDowall anthem. Watched programmes on Sappho and Cleopatra. and Petrie.

To St Augustine Kilburn for Christian/Muslim forum on the family: challenges and benefits. Bishop Paul Hendricks there all day, Revd Maggie Hindley and Father Colin Amos. It was interesting but ... 1.       St Augustine’s was very cold and the seats were uncomfortable. Some complained of not being able to hear the speakers well. Why not use a smaller space and heat that? The toilets were not well signposted and I had to ask where they were. I would certainly not go to an  event there in the winter in the future. 2.       While it was understandable that we should be invited to the normal 12 noon Mass it did place the Roman Catholics in an awkward position which could have been avoided I think with a non-Eucharistic service. 3.       The speakers took up all the time and there was little time for questions in the morning session. In fact my question was answered in part later in the day. 4.  ...