The organist librarian

34th Westminster interfaith peace walk and a pleasure to meet Eric and Michael Barnes who were there in the 80s. The Thai Buddhist temple lovely and the Ahmadiyya mosque at Morden one of the largest in Western Europe huge dome. I tried the Design museum but the Kubrick exhibition was sold out for the day so enjoyed cake and tea at Cafe Tarte. Met Ciaran from St Andrew's Thornton Heath who was serving at the huge Marriage Mass. Saw Roger. Showed Michael how to serve Vespers and he did really well. Fr Daniel celebrated and the Victoria choir sang. Blessing of married couples at the end. Home to have pizza and red wine -it was lovely that Louise brought them to the mosque and a pity that they saw so little (too much talking at us). Watched Trooping repeat and part of D-Day celebrations. 

A brilliant finale from Anna Abrams and Michael Barnes with videoed reminiscences. I recorded mine after lunch and got several to do it. My crazy idea is a multifaith pilgrimage to India led by Michael for the Heythrop association. I went to St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church as there was a fair but church closed! The sister looked without success for an icon of St John the Evangelist! I will try the website. Central music library for scores. Too hot. Bishop John Sherrington confirmations and first communion. Victoria children's choir sang Faure, Franck and Hurford. Rebecca busybody. Liz went to serve at Fr Mark's first Mass at Poplar. Liz helped at the St Vincent's school fete which was a success.

Liz went for blood test. To Mass. Boots to get replacement frames under guarantee and adjusted the other pair. Played for funeral at Caterham of Bob Veness - lots there. Swing low sweet chariot went well. Got a new watch battery at Aurum. Organists committee ar Ken's. 3 choirs tour looks good and I made some suggestions about Belmont. To Acton and Lou went to first communion meeting. Library 9 to 2 and catalogued new stock which came last week and non-fiction some of which was returned today being end of term. More donations came and chucked some. Choir practice for Holy Week went well and Ben can sing on Easter Day. Dennis popped in.  Waitrose after several emails and calls have come up trumps with a voucher. It seems the tiny glass balls in the apple were probably from a BB gun fired by children in the orchard.  The Tablet this week says that 8 staff from Heythrop including Michael Barnes are to work for Roehamptioon university. Alas the library is not going with them but i...

Henry now near to walking and he enjoyed his new walker. To Heythrop for Panikkar event with 3 good speakers and a film about the great theologian. Good to see Michael Barnes, Michael Redman, Michael Ipgrave now Bishop of Lichfield and Peter Tyler. At coffee after Mass learnt a lot about St Chad's and why people left. Watched La boheme from ROH and wrote up notes on Panikkar for Xavier. 9 people came to Westminster Cathedral interfaith group and we had a great conversation about Panikkar as Mohan Gupta did nor turn up. To Grow meeting at Caterham vicarage - I left here 7.20 home at 9 thanks to poor train services. Show More Reactions

Swam and Mass. Grenfell Tower memorial service from St Paul's is going to be very moving. Be still my soul and Fr Gerard Skinner and representative from the mosque carrying the Grenfell banner. St Paul's service beautiful and very moving especially the children. Giles Fraser on this old heart of mine radio 4. To Design museum to see Beazley designs of the year (I voted for a new typeface for all languages),Ferrari and Jon Snow ties. Tea and mince pie at Marks.  Prof Frank Clooney SJ brilliant on 4 Jesuits in India at Heythrop. Good to see old friends.Michael Redman, Sylvia MacDonald, Fr Malachy.  

At evensong we sang Eyre in D and Bairstow Blessed city. The prayers were rather long and although Adrian gave me a lift to Crystal Palace station I missed the train but got to Finchley a bit late. JW3 is most impressive and there was a good audience for the discussion chaired by Ed Kessler with Rabbi David Rosen and Archbishop Kevin. I asked a question about how few Catholics and Jews knew the document and was described as a champion of interfaith! William advised going to Finchley and Frognal which was much closer than West Hampstead so quickly to Willesden but then had to get a replacement bus to Acton. Louise had forgotten I was coming! Monday took Ciaran over to Issy's. Cleaner came and so I left and had coffee at JW3. Good turnout and several people I know for the 2 seminars - particularly liked the rabbi who had been in Sydney and of course Michael Barnes who I complimented as the best teacher ever! He said afterwards "you naughty man" but these things should be s...

Swam 21. To art and only 4 there - did blue on picture and need to buy cerulean and lemon yellow which Norma lent me. Our pictures come down at the library tomorrow. To the tip and pait into landfill but at least lamp will be recycled. To B and Q and bought wood. 5 assistants all said try this aisle or that only one actually went to look and none tried their computers for clearseal. I ordered it from Amazon. Pizza for lunch. Preprom was 3 Peter Maxwell Davies chamber works and he was interviewed. Everyone likes him but find the music odd. Saw Michael Barnes briefly - rain coming on. BBC Phil Finlandia, Maxwell Davies Symphony no. 5 (shades of Shostakovich?) Bridge Oration and Sibelius 2. Cello encore Hindemith sonata. Spoilt by man next to me eating a roll and coughing without any attempt at muffling it. He followed the score on laptop - furious with him. Home by 11 and Liz watching Bake off.

Got an earlier X68. Had coffee with Allen Morris and Alan Rainer. The talk on history of the college was a bit dull. Philip Endean was impressive on Ignatian spirituality and then we had Karen Kilby on Jesuit theology. After picnic lunch with Saira session on Jesuits and Copts in Egypt with Anthony O'Mahony and a talk on Jesuits in Russia. The lectures on education in Iraq and China were excellent. Michael Barnes gave a great lecture on Thomas Stephens and then the grand crescendo ended with Rowan Williams on Jesuit education's ethos. Wine reception and then home after an excellent week of academia! Quite tiring! Peter Tyler brought my file and it was good to see Diana.

To St Chad's to put up the Catenian banners early and leave leaflets in the porch. Discovered Mass intention for our deceased brothers not in newsletter so rang Fr Bartholomew and Bill who spoke to Fr David and sorted it but I was furious! Fr Paul noticed so I told him. Ran through Stay awake! Played Crown Imperial not very well, last part was better at the end of the service. Got back to St Chad's as people were coming out so gave out some leaflets but impossible to get into the hall for the fete. Derrick and Sheila were there - not helping of course. Colin could not come so a pathetic turnout. To Victoria and met Liz - train from East Croydon very crowded. To Sion centre for discussion on ethics between Michael Barnes and Anil Goonewardene a Buddhist. Met a lovely nun from Hanwell. Delivered mosaic to Brian just before Mass at cathedral for end of Year of Faith - he was deacon. Home to hear Britten Noyes Fludde from Aldeburgh. Programme on Morecambe and Wise.

To Kingston Milaap centre for excellent day on Islamic ethics with Chris. Met a humanist and Josephine from Weybridge. To Heythrop for Professor Barnes's inaugural lecture on Grey wisdom. Good to see people there. Ended up at Sydenham so late back. Watched Citizen Khan.

To Heythrop for lecture by Jose Casanova on religious freedom in the modern world. Brian and Rita were there. To Mass celebrated by Michael Barnes.Nick Wibberley played and the schola sang flat in Faure and Mozart. I gave Michael his mosaic and he liked it. To Acton and Sean still not walking! Made a track for Ciarán. To Quantus in Chiswick to celebrate Bruce's 30th birthday - lovely meal (much more expensive than South Africa!)

Friday swam 20. To Heythrop to see Michael and some changes to both essays so worked in library on Knitter one. Home to change into black tie. The left hand back tyre is flat. Walked to Norwood Junction and trains to Charing Cross. The Horse Guards hotel very convenient - we went to a wedding reception there. The reading room and library were a perfect venue - was the Liberal club with wonderful pictures and books from Gladstone's day. Met Brice and Anna Cassar (in my last module class) and sat with Michael Holman who was excellent company. Lorraine Ward and her husband Gerarde - he is a taxi driver studying philosophy. The food and service were excellent and the wine kept coming. Had a dance and then headed home feeling decidedly tiddly. Home about 12.30. It was a great night made even better by the fact that I had won my ticket. Nice to see people I know and Fr Rocco was dancing brilliantly! 

Thursday swam 20. To Heythrop to play for Mass - finally got the hymns Tom chose an hour beforehand. Fortunately I had taken the voluntary on "Slane" and Cook and Thiman on Veni creaor. Helena sang the Alleluia. 2 in the choir and we sang the Schubert mass. Fr Dave celebrated and the congregation was small but appreciative especially one of the nuns! Went to coffee again hardly anyone there. Worked in the library - another 1000 words on dialogue. To Sisters of Sion Chepstow Villas on underground for the 43rd Cardinal Bea lecture. Michael was on sparkling form and spoke of Pope Francis. Jonathan gave the Jewish reply. It was great to see lots of people I know and very nice refreshments.Sad to learn Sister Ellen is moving to Dublin. Left at 9 with 2 Maureens tube and train home.

Swam 22 - woman in yellow cap insisted on going fast in our lane when she could have gone in fast lane! Some people! To Heythrop to see Michael Barnes and discussed essays and dissertation which is now Meister Eckhart and Buddhists: what appeals to Buddhists? Think I can cope with that. Chatted about opera and Giulini. Had a delightful lunch with Michael Redman - always an interesting chat. Worked in library on Eckhart reviews. No. 9 bus on a lovely sunny afternoon to Somerset House - a good exhibition on Becoming Picasso 1901 at the Courtauld and then a fine photography exhibition in the East Wing. Some amazing photos. To SS Anselm and Caecilia in Kingsway for Mass celebrated by the Archbishop for Michael O'Leary 50 years as server and diocesan award and 50 years of Guild at the church. Ian Coleman directed Mozart Spatzenmesse and Palestrina. Not sure his unaccompanied psalm setting worked for the congregation! Home to watch programme on Turner.

To Heythrop for 1 p.m. Mass. Despite my request we did not sing "O Thou who at thy Eucharist didst pray" Had a soloist for Panis angelicus who did well apart from an early entry on the last line! Missa de angelis. Fr Jim Sweeney preached on Francis de Sales who was in Calvin's Geneva and the theologians upset his faith when he studied in Paris! A lecturer offered to get the ordination videos to Nadeem for me which was kind and I had a pannini and chatted to Michael Smith. Took the feedback form to Michael Barnes who appreciated my comments as did Damian. Martin Ganeri is no teacher! Module 1 is to be revamped which is good. To Old Marylebone Road Our Lady of the Rosary with South London brothers and met Fr Michael who is new there. A huge church so quartet and soloist will go at the front. We went up to the organ gallery but could not get in! At least Liz and I are now invited to the reception - I am not paying £75 for the dinner at the Landmark hotel! To the Royal Acade...

Wed 9th to Balham library to return books and then on to Watermans. This was Ciarán's last session as he starts nursery every morning next week and 3 afternoons - £90 instead of £180. He was playing on his scooter with Loki and Rufus and had coffee discussing travel with Amelia. We then went to Osterley garden centre for lunch (shepherd's pie) and soft play. Rufus can be quite bossy and has to be watched! Louise dropped me at Gunnersbury and there was time to go to the library before the lecture - this module has some new blood in it and Michael Barnes was interesting on the evangelical approach to interfaith although I was drooping with jetlag near the end. Xavier is back safely too. Slept a bit better and went swimming - 24 lengths. The temperature is around 10 degrees quite a contrast to 22 degrees in Kerala and high humidity. Liz working on her essay and has a cold. Took Bruce to Post Office for second time and more big parcels sent off. To Heythrop library and got more b...

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...

Swam 20 and Liz came. Practised some Buxtehude on the piano. To Chislehurst to collect Catenian recruitment banners and took them to Colin's - 90 minutes. Late for Mass at Heythrop - it was the UCL chaplain celebrating Fr Peter Wilson. Had lunch and to coffee in hall where book sale was going on. Worked in library. First interfaith sharing of the term - 13 there, Islamic society did not support and only Abigail from the Jewish society. Chatted to Andrew and everybody contributed so that was fine. Michael Barnes on engaged Buddhism which was interesting. Got petrol on hill - had to pay in advance, checked tires. Watched Gareth Malone work choirs semi-final. It seems we get our results by post next week and have to ask for the comments. Support growing for nomination of Damien for Principal's prize.

Woke late so no swim again. To St Mary at Hill which I do not recall visiting for Peter Wright's playing of Brahms preludes and Bach Fantasia in G. Excellent and nice to see a church empty of chairs and art celebrating the sea to look at. Peter talked about Francis Jackson's 95th birthday and still playing. Priscilla had meningitis 2 years ago and has recovered well - she is a Quaker and an ideal match for FJ. Peter had fractured his little finger but is recovering. Also had a look in St Magnus the Martyr which is Forward in Faith and has a fine model of old London Bridge. To Heythrop and coffee - gave Fr Dave leaflets. Met Faye West in the little Lion office and happy for me to write about art and music. Worked in library and had dinner with Michael and Simon. Michael Barnes on Buddhism excellent! The chat forum has now been set up. Watched Gareth Malone in Manchester airport and Come dine with me worst ever candidates!

To Bexleyheath on trains and bus Geddes Hill URC for presentation and discussion on the shortage of organists especially young ones! Archdeacon made some good contributions. If all the area joins together for an event we might get somewhere! Then trains and tube to Southall - arrived early at St Anselm's. Bishop Alan dedicated plaque in memory of Br Daniel Faivre. I never met him but have some of his books. Alfred Agius, Jon dal Din, Michael Barnes also met the amazing Florence Murphy who is 90. MP and mayor there. Everyone had their say. I skipped the refreshments and got to vespers late. Fr Paolo at Mass with Scottish priest who sounded like John Bell from St Michael's school Finchley.