The organist librarian

National Portrait gallery to see special exhibitions then to St Paul's for Music and Faith. Andrew Carwood talking to Timothy Radcliffe who has a clever way of not answering the question by telling a      joke! Some excellent quotes about music notably Roger Scruton.  John Ainslie, Allen Morris, Martin Foster, Frances Novillo and             .William Rhind 

To St John's wood for 9 a.m. Mass said by Fr Allen for Fr Gerry Coates 60th anniversary of ordination. It was a lovely Mass in a beautiful church. I took the minutes for the Trustees of SSG and left in good time to get the bus to the cathedral. Liz was upset because we had been told we could serve but there would be nothing to do as no cathedral servers were involved. Well in fact Paul, Rebecca and Jess were there. The Mass itself was lovely and the Cardinal preached well. We went to the Rubens for a lovely champagne tea!

To Allen Morris's lovely presbytery in St John's Wood to take minutes of SSG trustees meeting. Lots of nice eats. 11 to 3.30 of concentration! Tea at Pret and bought birthday cards. Served vespers for Christ the King and Bishop John confirmed adults at Mass. As always he spoke well. QI and film about Lawrence followed by one about Keats.

To St John's Wood for SSG AGM and Crichton lecture. An interesting talk on the New-Catechumenate which raised questions. Served at Mass with Bishop Alan Hopes. Lovely music from the Inwoods. Fr Allen was very welcoming. The "lecture" was given by Bishop Kieran from Arundel and Brighton  - amusing and too the point. Keep going! AGM was short and sweet. It seems thet need another trustee so not quite sure why we are to be clerks to the Trustees 3 times a year. Why not make one of us a trustee? Had tea at Pret and served Mass with Fr Paolo. Ed played from Elijah and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Mgr Mark O'Toole is to be bishop of Plymouth. Watched Royal British legion festival of remembrance.

Swam 23 and Liz came too. To Christ Church Methodist for Rosalie Hughes's funeral - packed church and lots of Our Lady's parishioners. Saw Fr Denis and warm greetings from many people. Alan Hickox played really well and excellent choices including Ave verum and How beautiful are the feet. Peter Clarke preached on communion. Nick sang well from Elijah, Arthur and Cath read inspiring readings very well. Fr Joe led prayers and gave the blessing. It was truly ecumenical. Great hymns sung with gusto Dear Lord and Father, Lord for the years, Love divine, How great thou art. Had time for tea and some chat and then to St John's to sing at Judith Wallace's funeral. The church was very cold. We managed Ave verum by Byrd - at least Frank kept in time in the end! Dear Lord and Father and Love divine (why can't we have the Stainer tune?) The King of love and The day tho gavest. Bridget played and conducted - Adrian and Terence in Laos. Nice eats and people had travelled a long ...

Tuesday to serve at Chrism Mass - splendid service and the MacMillan Mass worked well. We were consecration torches and faced inwards. We moved at the wrong moment to come out behind the choir so had to get out of the way! Byrd motet beautifully sung and nice lunch afterwards. Met Stephen Wang and had a chat to Allen Morris about his vacancy for an animateur. It does look as though one could get to Lisson Grove on public transport. Had tea at M & S and then picked up Ciarán from nursery. Watched The Undatables - Aspergers syndrome guy very nice, Tourette's guy could not stop swearing. Finished reading The Tenth parallel. Wednesday took Ciarán to Amandas and he enjoyed it. Had a couple of run-ins about buggy, walking and holding hands! To Starbucks and Sainsburys for lunch. He slept 2 hours and I went to spirituality day for the afternoon. Sarah Richards on love. The idea of myself as a child and interested to find young people in 3 of Eric Gill's Stations. Bought Anthony di...

To 10.45 a.m. Red Mass which is attended by the judges and QCs. The choir sang Palestrina Dum complerentur motet and Mass. Bishop Arnold presided and there was much Latin! We were acolytes. There is talk of us sitting at the back again which won't do as we cannot hear and it gets very hot in winter! Much better to be in the choir stalls. Saw Muriel who taught with Liz and her son. Bishop Longley is to be new Archbishop of Birmingham - he is so charming and always remembers names and thanks everyone. We will miss him very much. Saw Fr Allen Morris in Victoria station. Home to start painting the kitchen ceiling and walls - nice ivory colour. Had not been done for 8 years and lots of cobwebs and one large spider! A lovely day again with a touch of autumnal coolness. Still no sign of birthday cards in the post! Victorian Farm was interesting on BBC2.

Bank Holiday Monday woke early. To 10.30 a.m. Mass for migrants. The Cardinal was unwell but Bishop Thomas of Brentwood and Bishop Pat greeted us warmly. Also say Fr Adrian now at Streatham Hill, Bill Saunders, John O'Toole, Allen Morris, Alan McLean conducting the Southwark diocesan choir, deacon Kassa - big turnout of ethnic chaplains. Could not hear homily at all and the psalm was too long. Lots of Marty Haugen including "All are welcome" at start and end! We were consecration and communion torches. Met Deacon Joe Parsons from Purley, Sr Sheila was also there. I delivered Cardinal's present to Archbishop's House. Did not go to Strangers into citizens rally at Trafalgar Square - I prefer meetings to such big gatherings. Met Deacon Jon Dal Din from Battersea and went for tea with him at Marks and discussed interfaith in Westminster - very good to share ideas. Bought meal for 2 for £10. To Grandma's to cut back shrubs and watched snooker and Celebrity Cash in ...