The organist librarian

Saturday was an enjoyable day in Reading. William McVicar demonstrated the fine organ in the Town hall an untouched Willis with amusing anecdotes and Norman Harper demonstrating. There was time to see the copy of the Bayeux tapestry and the museum and lunch there. Quite a walk to and from St Giles but a fine Bishop organ in a very High Church building. Got to Mass in good time and Brian was doing the first scrutiny presenting the Creed. I haled mike and Michael the book. Went well. Fr Martin got me to take communion to the choir Byron consort from Harrow school and they sang Poulenc really well. Liz was at the hospital. Watched end of Big painting challenge Suman won, Pottery challenge was good too. Tired out. Sunday morning and evening at Caterham in between lunch and to hospital to see Henry who looks well and should come home today Monday.  Lent prose went well today and I played Bach O lamm Hottest unschuldig and Lasceux Fugue in G minor.  Played Herzleibster Jesu by Bra...

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.  ...

Arrived at cathedral at 1 for ordination of 9 Jesuit deacons. Turns out all it was was moving chairs! Any way it was enjoyable and the cardinal was on good form. Rebecca really does get up everybody's nose acting as an assistant MC! She had said she wasn't coming! Farm St and Sacred Heart Wimbledon choirs sang new piece by Jackson with effective organ part, Haugen and Inwood. Mawby Ave verum and Cardinal giving communion and Brian with the chalice was a wonderful moment. A nice reception afterwards and saw a lot of my Heythrop friends and nuns. Told Damian about contacts with Muslims. Michael Barnes was in the congregation. Saw Joseph from Kerala and he remembered our visit. Had tea at Marks and Fr Alexander was celebrant at Mass. Byron consort of Harrow school sang Lassus and lovely Jackson O sacrum convivium. Watched Don't tell the bride and programme on WWI. Darcey Bussill on ballerinas.