The organist librarian

Liz served at the ecumenical vespers for the canonisation of Newman and the Archbishop of Canterbury preached. Bishop Beverley Mason was there! I met Leon Carberry. The tunes for the hymns were all the Catholic ones!

Swam, Mass, coffee, hearing aid clinic at South Norwood Methodist hall (right one tube full of wax). Awesome playing from Josh Stephens at St Matthew Westminster. His pedalling in Bach Prelude and fugue in D immaculate and looks easy! Lucky Sheffield cathedral! Simon Lole could not come. Beazley awards Design museum. The Kubrick display very crowded. Several of his films I have not seen and would not want to! Loved the architecture display in the Beazley. To Trailfinders to thank Arron and he loves Japan so lots of good ideas. Liz went to the Bach prom and I went to Dulwich meeting. Brendan told us about the new website and leaflets starting with Newman.

Organists visit to Union Chapel Islington and a most interesting concert saxophone and organ. Colin Matthews and Naomi Sullivan. Good to meet one of the composers Andrew Glover-Whitley. The piece was about ravens so tried to draw some. 3 pictures from the Breda at the Estorick which I sketched. Modigliani and Campigli. Excellent Westminster cathedral interfaith group meeting. Dr Irina Bradley on icons The family is holy and Rita on Sufis and the family. Alan Rainer spoke. 12 there. Took Dennis to film on Newman. 

Enjoyed Angels of Mersey about chaplains last night. Up early and X68 to King's college London for Building Bridges seminar with Rowan Williams who I spoke to about Eliza Griswold. Daniel Madigan, Michael Redman, Siriol Davies, Hugh Goddard, Barbara Wood, Diana, Alan Gadd, David Stanley - quite a gathering! Excellent speakers on Death and resurrection in both traditions. The afternoon session on the art of dying and community involvement were outstanding and so was Bishop Tom Wright. I asked a question about Gerontius, purgatory and 19th century hymns about heaven and Bishop George Rowell of Europe said he would think about writing a new hymn about heaven! It was an excellent day. To Courtauld to see Mondrian/Nicholson (free to NUS students) and enjoyed the Impressionists and early works. To library to pick up book and then bus to Windmill Clapham Common for Catenian meeting and meal Balham circle. Croydon brothers there. Brian and Patrick. Chris a pain about Samoa and his cars!

My back continued to play up with the additional worry of pains in my right hip. Did some sorting out of books for the course - which to read now. Started on John Cornwell on Newman. Watched Monteverdi Vespers from last year's Proms - rather dull and samey despite good use of the hall. To chorus for Missa. It was an open rehearsal and Stefan was being very funny. 2 tenors and Paul Williamson invited me to a Brahms Requiem at Sloane Street. The Missa is hard on the body! Watched Prince Philip at 90 on return home. Friday up early and swam 30 lengths which definitely helped the back and hip pains.

Sunday stayed at church. We sang "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (anon) and I played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmamuel. We sang carols at Clifton and Crystal homes and it was much appreciated. I took the keyboard back to church and took Caroline home. Tried to print off Christmas letter without success but emailed it. Drove to Acton and on cookery course at Prue Leith's for the week. At first a muddleup over the booking and cheque but Liz started Intermediate and I on basic key skills. Monday making pastry and crudites with hummus and Tuesday delicious mango and chili salad with spinach. Demo on roast dinners - lovely meat. Wednesday made Italian bread and filleted sole with difficulty. Baby sat Ciarán. Tuesday to mass at the cathedral - the boys sang Stanford's A song of wisdom, Rorate coeli and Faure Messe basse superbly. Fr Alexander sang Mass beautifully and homily on St John of the Cross. To talk on Newman and friendship by Fr Seward from Oxford oratory - interes...

To Coulsdon and 4 in the choir. We sang "Day by day" by Martin How and "God be in my head". "Praise to the holiest" and I played Angel's farewell from "Dream of Gerontius" to mark Newman's beatification. Waited in car for Liz and listened to a programme about Miss World 1970 and Just a minute. Dennis had sorted his books out so we took those he is keeping up to Glyn Close and they saw Martin next door. We ate in the garden in sunshine probably our last chance this year for that! Mark Elder conducted a prom of the Last night 1910 which featured a new work based on the slow movement of a cello concerto by Vaughan Williams written for Casals called "Dark pastoral" and Elgar Pomp and Circumstance No. 4. Songs of praise was from South Africa. Ulster orchestra prom in tribute to Sir Henry included Bliss and Bax and Rachmaninoff. I was watching on Iplayer the last in the series on British writers and the broadband went but later saw th...

Bank holiday. Fascinating tour of the back to backs (NT). Fitted in a visit to the Oratory where the very nice sacristan gave us a lovely book and showed us the relics fo Cardinal Newman. Yesterday we drove to Kings Norton to look at the district and today we found a one bedroomed flat opposite the Peace garden for Bruce. He liked it and sorted it all out. Mortgage came through later! A good day's work. It has a nice balcony and nearer to work adn cheaper than the Ulysses one!

John Henry Cardinal Newman to be beatified Cardinal John Henry NewmanVatican City, Apr 23, 2008 / 03:12 am (CNA).- The Vatican has approved the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the English convert and theologian who has had immense influence upon English-speaking Catholicism, the Birmingham Mail reports. John Henry Newman was born in 1801. As an Anglican priest, he led the Oxford Movement that sought to return the Church of England to its Catholic roots. His conversion to Catholicism in 1845 rocked Victorian England. After becoming an Oratorian priest, he was involved in the establishment of the Birmingham Oratory. He died in 1890 and is buried at the oratory country house Rednall Hill. The Catholic Church has accepted as miraculous the cure of an American deacon’s crippling spinal disorder. The deacon, Jack Sullivan of Marshfield, Massachusetts, prayed for John Henry Newman’s intercession. At his beatification ceremony later this year, John Henry Newman will receive t...