The organist librarian

Early visit to Dennis Woodhouse then Advent day at Sisters of Sion with Fr Richard Nesbit featuring David Attenborough and Carlo Carretto. Good to see Fr Frank there. After Mass (had to go and get offertory) to Simbang Gabi Philippino club Christmas party only 3 carols on sheet so we got Silent night numerous times! Programme on Mexico wild life

Tuesday woke early but fell asleep again so no swim. Beavers put in the carpets at Glyn Close and rang for help to unload the van so John and Darren went up there. It looks great. To 3.30 mass for retiring deputy director of education in Westminster. Should have been Archbishop Stack but he couldn't come so Archbishop Vincent instead and he was as nice as ever. We were mitre and crozier. Chatted to Richard Nesbit about Alexander's homily on Sunday and Abbot Christopher Jamieson - he said Worth Abbey had been refurbished. The music was dire including horrid Eucharistic acclamations and the head teachers did not sing much. To tea and cake in Acton and Ciarán on great form - he loves Thomas the tank engine and loved the little books Dennis sent. Liz bought him a new bath duck. Tom cooked a delicious meal and we enjoyed 2 bottles of good red wine. Watched Perfume. Wednesday to music and Ciarán was much livelier and involved and he sat on the bus quite happily. I went to spirituali

Saturday to Battersea Park library to pick up a reserved book and renew all items. To St Margaret's Westminster for annual day of prayer. The Dean read the talks on Transfiguration by the late Bishop Kenneth Stevenson featuring 4 paintings. Inspiring! It was great to be able to visit the Abbey and the shrine. St Faith's chapel is quiet. It was cold. Fr Michael Durand, Sally, Beryl there. Had coffee and soup. At 3 p.m. to Hinsley room for talk by Fr Richard Nesbit about vocations. Fr Alexander at Mass and Ardingley college choir sang Haydn and Bruckner rather well. Sunday we celebrated Candlemas at Coulsdon. Dennis stayed over night and left his bag containing his stethoscope so I took it up to Queen's square and then to Glyn Close for tidyup. At evensong we sang Stanford in B flat and "I was glad". Lark rise and Terry Wogan on TV.

Photos MMazur/CCN Up early and parked at Selhurst where we met Vincent Liu's Dad who still goes to St Chad's, South Norwood. Arrived at 10 a.m. and got ready. Greeted by Archbishop of Southwark who is limping and Bishop Tripp. We set off at 11.10 a.m. leading the clergy. All went well and it was a wonderful ceremony with stunning Mawby fanfares and MacMillan pieces. The Mawby Ave verum was a highlight. Our movements as 6 consecration torches went perfectly. The Archbishop spoke so well and is so human. I was particularly impressed by the way he gave communion to the deacons. The Cardinal spoke well too - we shall miss him. What a joy to see Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York, Bishop of London, Dean of Westminster and Salvation Army president of CTE on sanctuary behind the cardinals and warmly greeted. The chief rabbi was in Archbishops house and there were many faith representatives in the congregation. Fantastic Widor Marche pontificale with added brass. I helped cle

A good day at the library and caught up with my work. Liz was cantor at vespers and we were joined by several seminarians including Ed. We were acolytes at the Ordination Mass at 6 p.m. There were around 60 priests present and loads of servers and it was a great occasion. Ed and Kingsley both coped well. It was a pity that Philip who serves with us on Saturdays did not get more to do but he was communion torch (although I gather there were not enough torches!) I made sure he got a first blessing. We had our blessing together. We gave Ed a cross we bought in Wurzburg cathedral shop. Most unusual it has bread and wine on it. The music was great - MacMillan and Bingham sung by the special choir. The service lasted form 6 p.m. to 7.50 p.m. a long time for the Cardinal. Fr Ed is going to Chiswick and Fr Kingsley to the cathedral. There was a lovely reception in the hall. Excellent food and loads to drink although I had consumed a lot of the Precious Blood so I stayed on the orange juice! Su