The organist librarian

Swam 20. Sang part of the Faure Requiem, Byrd Ave verum at Fr Tom Stevens' funeral at St John Upper Norwood. A good sendoff I think.  Deeply shocked to learn of the passing of Gerrard Goodhind Catenian and provincial newsletter editor and above all a great friend  To the Russian revolution exhibition at the Royal Academy and I as much taken by the work of Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin and did a sketch of Midday Summer which has an elliptical horizon! To Newman House for an excellent talk "Are all religions the same?" by  Damian Howard  SJ and did some useful networking. Eugenie was there. Good to see Stephen Wang and his Dad and Carolyn Morrison.

I enjoyed the day at Hurtado. Eugenia talked too much. Fr Leonard was chatty and he brought a lapsed Catholic called John! I spoke briefly about Explore and the Catenian bursary fund - we were asked to comment on development and I asked Sarah the speaker what she thought of bursary Fund awards. It was interesting but hot. Only 3 serving at Mass so no smoke. Fr Martin started late and I just missed a 52 so decided to come home as I was hot and thirsty. The same thing will happen next week as there is an appeal! Rose was on. Just got in as the last chords of Wagner (which is what I wanted to hear) were sounding - it says its available online. 

Got to Heythrop early via West Brompton.  Archbishop Michael spoke on Christian relations with Muslims. Professor Sajjad Rizvi from the University of Exeter spoke well about Shi'a views and Building Bridges. After lunch Damian on Jesuits and Martin read the paper from Jean Jacques Pérennés OP on the Dominicans. By then people were leavng! The three days have been inspiring and empowering. I liked the quote "we want to see in the other what we find in ourselves" and the church is a fabric of stories. Fr Alexander celebrated Mass. Fr John O'Toole was there. The festival of remembrance was impressive.

To Beckenham by car and got flowers at M and S where I parked. Peter Cook played Camidge, Vierne, Lloyd Webber and David German. His John Williams Film surprise was lost on me. The organ has some water damage.To Central Music library and got all the scores I wanted. The Prom was BBC Phil with Noseda playing Casella, Chopin, Franck with Ben Grosvenor and Saint-Saens 3 with David Goode - splendid. Saw Ben Saul and his family and Damien Howard. The talk on French music was interesting. What makes French music French? Many German influences. Stayed for the first 15 minutes of the battle of the big Jazz bands but it was very loud and could not hear the speech well. Pouring. Liz went to Acton as on Saturday she got some reading glasses - dispute with insurance company. 

Monday a.m. trains to Strawberry Hill and installed in comfortable room (although the bed was a bit narrow and I woke early every time). Unfortunately I managed to leave my conference file with my notebook and sketchbook behind so have to work from memory. The speakers were outstanding with contributions from Jerusalem, Rome, USA, Rome, Bangalore, Prague and Malta and from all over the country. I have made some new friends and contacts not least interfaith folk from Birmingham and Newcastle. We began with Norman Tanner on the history. It seems Paul VI in this encyclical influenced the Council and began the dialogue emphasis. Gavin d'Costa and Damian Howard and David McLoughlin were prominent. Mark Langham and Robin Gibbons came for 2 sessions and  Kallistos Ware. Abbot Timothy Wright introduced Of Gods and men and it was wonderful to see the film again and learn more of its context. On the Tuesday Archbishop Bernard Longley celebrated Mass and attended the reception and dinner. Th...

To Tesco pharmacy for flu jab for the first time - very nice pharmacist explained it all. My arm still a bit sore. To Hurtado centre Wapping for an excellent Advent pilgrimage with Paul Nicholson SJ and bought his Advent book of reflections for each day. The walk round Wapping was most interesting. A lovely section like a Dutch canal scene then dull estates. The mosque is currently on a top floor and very dark. St Peter's Anglican church very high and quite lovely compared to the Catholic church which is cold and very Roman - St Patrick's. Pat and Kerry and a nice group. Damian was there and lent hats - I chose a splendid black one from Bailey of Hollywood. It was a great chance to reflect on pilgrimages especially the Holy Land and my role. John the Baptist seen as someone who decreased. To Bloomsbury Baptist for Norman Harper being funny and playing Thalben-Ball complete with happy stickers on his soles, Bach, Peeters, Leighton and Karg-Elert. Large crowd outside for auditio...

Saturday to Hurtado centre at Wapping for a 2 hour morning quiet session led by Damian Howard and Anna on Psalm 23 in which we wrote our own psalm. It was a good time. To Whitechapel gallery but Sarah Lucas's obsession with genitalia does not appeal. To Tate Britain to see the iconoclasm exhibition which was most interesting. Surprised to find the members room still closed but saw several films and the British art displays. Tea at Pret a manger. Big crowds to see the relics of St Anthony of Padua and mitre at Mass which was attended by lots of servers. Told Archbishop about our results. For some odd reason we were asked not to attend vespers - very odd. Rebecca and George are a pain. Watched National theatre tribute on BBC2. Commented on Simon Surtees' sermon for Remembrance.

To Heythrop and played for Mass which went well. 4 in choir including Rocco.Damian celebrated and sang very well. In his homily he mentioned Islam! I played Ley on Down Ampney, Wyton on Veni creator and Willan on Vulpius - the Viscount organ is quite good and some folk didn't know I played. Went to coffee. Tutorial with Michael and it seems Damian studied music before theology at Cambridge. To library and had pizza - think I was overcharged as I had put £5 on my card and he asked for £2.10 more! Saw John Parks. To Meditatio and met Danny and Sr Owen. Kallistos Ware was excellent on Iraneus. 

Saturday set off at 2.20 and picked up Liz at Hollingbourne station in rain. Mercure hotel very nice and had a swim and jacuzzi. Mass at 6 for which I played the keyboard. Carpet made the room very dull for singing. Fr Paul from Farnborough presided. An excellent meal for John and Anne Rayer and enjoyed sitting with Duncan's daughters and Luis's daughter and their husbands. Speeches were light and we were up until midnight. Liz won a Jamie cookbook on the raffle. Sunday had a swim, steam room and jacuzzi and a good breakfast chatting to Duncan and Marion. Home in rain at 1.15 - 82 mile round drive. Heard Damian Howard on radio 2 about the Pope who has a very different style which is great.

Swam 30! Listened to Liverpool cathedral evensong from yesterday - Vaughan Williams, Whitlock and Howells - who could ask for better on this special day! So sad about the General Synod decision against women bishops - how disappointing and out of touch can you be? Went in good time to rehearse for Mass as Westminster cathedral tour was off (pity about that as I had bought the guidebook but maybe I can volunteer as a verger/guide next year). Ended up rehearsing harmonies of Praise my soul and Hail redeemer King divine. The psalm which was about singing was said - why? Jerry is lazy that's why! 2 plainchant chunks sung by soloists from gallery. We did not even run through Proulx Alleluia! Fr Michael Barnes gave a brilliant homily on interfaith - first time I have ever heard one at Mass. To coffee and chat about Synod decision. Took my cartoon to Lion office and met Daniel Tripp at last - he edits culture features. My review of art exhibitions is published! To library and lots of re...

To Heythrop and sang at Mass. I arrived at 12.45 as train and tube were delayed and was the only tenor for "O taste and see" until the other 2 arrived. Damian was the celebrant and was excellent. His homily was most thought provoking on Jesus and his challenge to the authorities. Chatted to Alex at coffee.To lecture by Christine Korsgaard on a Kantian view of animal rights. She was late and dull! Had dinner and a good seminar on Rahner by Simon and Luke. Some students seem to have dropped off!

Swam 32. Late at mosaic as I was clearing up and getting papers together for the tutorial. Tai chi then to Heythrop library. At 4 met Damian and a useful conversation about the 2 essays and he gave me lots of ideas and asked about Saturday and the course in general. He said we had a terrific class.