The organist librarian

Hot again and had a lie-in rather than swim. Spoke to Bruce and Ann on Skype. Worked on dissertation taking on board comments from George and Anthony. Stephen has been in touch. To cathedral after a meal for farewell Mass for Alan Hope who goes to East Anglia. The cardinal spoke well and so did Archbishop Vincent. I was acolyte with Emmanuel for the first time in the pulpit. Mozart and Gabrieli. Liz went to servers council and I decided not to go to film of Rossini's Armida from the Met. 

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!

We took advantage of the fine Sunday weather to do work in the garden and brought the numerous pots and hanging baskets full of growing begonias from Louise's room down to the garden presuming that frosts are now over. I got the water feature going again and sorted out the bird bath and feeding things. Sadly we do not see many birds - 2 large doves and a blackbird and a robin, the occasional starling and sparrow. Next thing is to get the bits of rowan tree round to the front ready for recycling. Watched 3 episodes of "The Speaker". I enjoyed the final very much and Duncan was a worthy winner at only 14 but the other 2 were also very good. Kaykay reminded me of Junior who I met on Wednesday and Yvonne was just so passionate and warm. Have written a card to the Cardinal with 2 of our CDS the Coulsdon and Addiscombe ones to present to him. Watched the video of David Hill preparing "O for the wings of a dove" and redid the 10 pin RSCM bowling poster. Frank and Lero...

To Chrism Mass at 12 noon. Ended up being communion torch with Liz. The MacMillan St Anne's setting and Galloway Gloria worked well. It was packed and the Cardinal got 2 claps. Deacon Kassa was carrying the oils. One of the deacons smiled as Fr Michael gave me the chalice and held my candle! The MacMillan Ave verum was thrilling. I was back at work by 2.15 p.m. and worked on PRP and game plan estimates. To Power station for presentation by Red Bull about their August motorcycle event. Got a lift to the station so early at Croydon Parish church. Went for a walk - what a grim area. When I play for the all night July marathon I will take the car. Croindene sang Mendelssohn cantata Aus teifer not beautifully. There were poems by John Donne - would have liked to have had the text to follow. Martin How and Colin Boswell asked after Bruce. Julie and David Smith and Tony Trent greeted me. 14 in congregation. Home to find a parking place in the road despite the match and Liz arrived too. Wa...

To Age Concern Battersea group meeting and I again took the minutes. It was a lively meeting. I went to the venue on Tuesday having got the date wrong on the time sheet! Staff meetings in the afternoon and pretty positive. To Mass at cathedral and the Cardinal's lecture. He traced the history of the Westminster hierarchy and outlined problems for the Church in a secular world. He highlighted formation and prayer. In answering questions he affirmed interfaith dialogue. A good audience too. Saw Hannah back from Chicago, Connie, Eleanor, Louise and a brace of bishops and the nuncio. David played Bach, Buxtehude and Mendelssohn. Watched second part of "Margaret" about Thatcher's downfall and a Channel 4 programme on life events. Micky reports Miko has had a stroke. Did a card for Laurence as his mother died last week.

Wednesday spoke to Ann and showed her the snow on the web cam. To spirituality day in the Hinsley room. At one point there were 20 there. Sarah did a lovely day on "He has called you by your name". It was be interesting to consider the occasions when Jesus used a person's name - Mary, Peter, Judas, Saul but not John I think. I have really enjoyed Niall Williams' novel "John". To chorus Wed and Thur with Edward preparing "Fidelio". Still a bit of snow in the garden by Sunday. I picked up the car Friday night and to practice. Some of the choir seemed reluctant to do exercises but the kids are keen. Saturday planned library move round and more weeding for the big half term sale. Vespers and Mass Chorister for a day - 48 small boys in cassocks too big for them in some cases. Paul and George helped serve. Lovely to hear the boys sing Panis angelicus and Elgar Ave verum and the plainchant Mass. Sunday choir did well - we sang "O lord increase my fai...

Saturday was quiet so caught up on displays and admin. At Mass we had extra servers because the servers dinner followed. Victoria forgot to ring the bell the first time! Amici Choro sang really well. Lauridsen Ave Maria and Byrd 4 part Mass. Caroline was singing. Saw Vicky and Gareth afterwards with lovely baby Lydia. The dinner was a great success - 50 came and the Hinsley Room was transformed. We were sitting with Victoria's parents Shaun and Annette from the US and they are returning home. Imagine our surprise when the Cardinal joined us and was on great form talking about retirement and cooking and shopping in Chiswick! Canon Christopher, Paul and David Grealy completed the party. Excellent buffet and lots of red wine. All the chaplains joined us. It was a delightful evening! John was not at Coulsdon so I played the bass part in Tye anthem and we sang Nicholson in G. I practised and then joined Liz at King's College hospital to see Grandma who has osteoporosis hence the b...

Wednesday wrote 2 more articles on the Holy Land based on the blog whch is now complete. To meet outside Hinsley Room to go to Initatives for change UK (formerly Moral rearmament) interfaith group (7 of us) enjoyed a tour of 24 Greencoat Place with the brother of the film-maker and then watched "The Imam and the Pastor" which is excellent. Hai invited us for Chinese New Year lunch next Wednesday. Finished reading "A daughter's love; Thomas & Margaret More" by Peter Guy - an excellent book. Thursday to cathedral for Mass (lovely Berkeley setting) and ecumenical vespers to mark the retirement of the Cardinal. I served as acolyte and we had to take tapers to the 4 presidents, in my case H.E. Archbishop of Canterbury preached well although sitting at the back could not hear very well. Salvation Army songsters were excellent. Bishops Patrick and Paul very friendly. Thomas Wilson was cantor. Liz missed it as Grandma went into King's again with back pain. Frida...

Icon Church of the Nativity Bethlehem Helen Suzman was a relentless critic of South Africa's Nationalist government. For 13 years, as sole member of the Progressive Party in parliament, she was the only MP to speak out against racial segregation, at a time when only the white minority enjoyed the right to vote. Born in 1917 to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, she married Dr Moses Suzman, who became one of South Africa's leading physicians. Five years after graduating from Witwatersrand University, she joined the staff as a lecturer in economic development. Helen Suzman's interest in disadvantaged urban Africans increased after she became a member of the South African Institute of Race Relations. She began to take an active role in politics after the 1948 election, when the mildly liberal United party was replaced by the National party, with its rigid policy of apartheid. Racial discrimination In 1952, standing for the United party, she was elected to the Hou...

40 lengths. Set up the book sale myself. To the Albert Hall for 4 p.m. rehearsal. Met Liz on the way! Back to Battersea to bring up car to the hall. First half was Goldsmiths choir singing Faure Requiem - often flat and dull, tenors feeble, English choral singing at its worst. Second half Berlioz Te Deum. John Birch on the mighty organ, RPO. Not a bad audience, Brian Wright did well despite changing tempi unexpectedly. Timothy Robinson the fine tenor soloist. Liz spotted the Cardinal in the audience and spoke to him.

Sunday was a quiet day as we were both tired and Monday 22 lengths (late up)and after work we watched Andy Murray come back from nowhere to win at Wimbledon! Tuesday to Battersea Power station for Wandsworth business forum breakfast and meeting and a chance to see the display about the new plans. Horrified to see an enormous chimney which will dominate the whole area and the skyline! Why an extension of the Northern line from Kennington - the Battersea society proposal of a tram is much better. No plans to upgrade to 2 local rail stations either! Still the concepts are stunning. I arranged for staff to go and see the display. I returned to the Power station for the start of the community forum meeting which was poorly attended - perhaps like me they did not get the invite! I filled in my comments form and was pleased to note that apart from running 2 cars we tick all the boxes on green issues. To Westminster cathedral hall for the farewell to the remarkable, lovable, infuriating Fr Mi...

Set off in good time to get tram only to find them all full and infrequent because of BUPA run in the city. Eventually got a taxi who came to wrong side of station and we walked the last bit with cases to reach Bridgewater Hall at 9.50 a.m. for the 10.30 a.m. Mass. Cardinal greeted us and we were mitre and crozier. Fr Mark O'Toole looked after us and Fr Simon was very helpful from St John's cathedral, Salford. Martin Barry directed the cathedral choir and Anthony Hunt played the organ. There was an excellent pianist and brass ensemble. Deacon Peter Tibke too. It was a fine mass and I had chance to thank Fr Timothy for his talk. Some nice Bob Hurd and Joncas and Martin's Spring Sanctus. Had coffee afterwards and rescued my case which was going on the van back to the cathedral with the vestments! Walked to coach station and 5 hours on an extra coach which did not stop at Marble Arch so got train from Victoria. Home at 7.30 p.m.

A whole week to catch up on! Tuesday to RSCM Southwark committee meeting at Adrian's. Nigel Groome was there and there was much discussion about events and syllabus. Wednesday to Spirituality day with Michael Dorey on the Blessed are the poor. A welcome opportunity to enjoy some quiet in the sunshine. I liked the meditation he gave us on the Eucharist and foot washing. I decided not to go to the Friends of the cathedral AGM and we watched "The Apprentice". Thursday to the last of the Cardinal's lectures and the Cardinal was on great form. Baroness Scotland chaired. I sat with Jennie Mitchener who gave me a lift home from West Norwood which was great. Friday to practice and we had a discussion about getting more members as Karen had produced a poster. We started work on the 3 part canticles. To Croydon PC for compline - "I will lift up my eyes" by Ernest Walker and Sumsion Nunc dimittis.Saw Tony Trent.

Some of the Vietnamese children who did a beautiful calm dance after communion. To cathedral for 11 a.m. Mass for migrants with the Cardinal, Bishop Thomas MacMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Pat (who used to be parish priest of South Norwood!). 47 ethnic chaplains. Saw Martin Foster and Bernadette Farrell. I was mitre and Liz was book and communion torch. Good choir from Trinity college and lovely dance by Vietnamese children after communion. Much discussion of Mgr Mark's departure. He really IS the cathedral so he will be much missed. Fr Christopher has taken over as administrator and Fr Swavek will be sub-administrator - he is not back from Spain. To Bow where we had a picnic. Bruce had made up a table on back patio and he used our hose and lance to clean the patio and threw out loads of rubbish. The kitchen looks great and had a pizza with Jack and Bianca in glorious sunshine. I watched DVDs of "Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix" and "40 year old virgin...

To training on security - 4 of us went and reactions differed. We will need to review our procedures and shred lots of paper! To the cathedral for the first of the Cardinal's lectures. Sat next to a lady from Our Lady of Victories, Kensington where we were married and also saw Elizabeth Simon from Southfields and Andrew who was on the Orthodox spirituality course with me. Lots of noisy protesters outside and their noise rather worked against their anti-war cause. Problems with the P.A. system. Tony Blair spoke really well on "Faith and globalisation" and the work of his new Foundation for interfaith. The Abbot of Worth, Jonathan Aitken, etc were there.

Sophia is 2. Caravaggio's Doubting Thomas. To Coulsdon where we sang Rutter Gloria and Celtic alleluia. 3 of choir in congregation so we could have managed the Rutter acclamations - instead they were said as it would have meant everyone having yet another sheet of paper to hold! I played lots of Bach and the Hallelujah chorus. I particularly like Bach's 2 part variations on "Christ lag in todesbanden". Dennis was home and Liz returned from the cathedral where they had the Lassus choir from Dublin at Mass. To Sophia's 2nd birthday party - nice eats. Grandma came too and Hannah was there. Nice to see everyone again 3 years since the wedding. I went to part of Matthew Martin's organ recital - had to go and ring Fr Michael about confessions - he had the wrong time. Matthew played Buxtehude. I cantored at Mass with Simon - the Cardinal celebrated and preached really well about Thomas. Michael O'Boy also there and Nick flapping with lots of servers although it w...

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 ...

To 10am Morning prayer at the cathedral with magnificent singing from the choir (Anerio, Victoria, Gesualdo). Chat to Deacon Peter and he has commented about Palm Sunday. Invited him to dinner and thanks to him for this lovely image. Joined the Westminster procession led by members of the Passage and Sister Ellen Flynn to the Abbey and at the end met Janet Whiting the chair of Churches Together in Westminster, Lots of people took part. We sat in the front for the 3pm liturgy. The Cardinal gave a wonderful homily on how all are welcomed and accepted by the Church. The choir on stunning form (Bruckner, Victoria, Gesualdo, Casals). The servers led the veneration at the end. Picked up Micky and drove to Coulsdon. The St Luke Passion went really well and the recording is good although the tape recorder is showing signs of its age. About 30 in the congregation. Adrian did a great job at the organ and the augmented choir sounds excellent. All the soloists coped well and Karen's 2 arias ar...