The organist librarian

Swam 24. Have not been all week but now snow has largely gone and the car was clear this morning. It was St Francis de Sales yesterday - I had not realised that he was in Calvin's Geneva. His gentle approach must have helped. Reading Helios on Judaism and Christianity. Damian responded well to my comments on the course and changes are likely which is encouraging. Liz still finds the authoritarian approach at the cathedral difficult. Everybody watching their back and checking with higher authority about the smallest things! How can change ever occur in such circumstances? Philip very funny about Catenians. Helios now showing 3 of my videos of ordination, first Mass and Kurisamala. Liz to West Wickham and got my watch fixed. Rat catchers came so set one up. Liz to marriage preparation course and I went to St Paul Rossmore Road NW1 where Michael Redman is curate for the patronal festival, procession and reception in the school. Cold. Wore my More than Gold jacket for the first time -...

Saturday June 27th after Mass there was a Taize vigil to mark the end of the year of St Paul with Archbishop Vincent giving an excellent homily. I felt the Taize went on just a tad too long although the msuic was well done. One of the cantors was not so good. We left before the end as I had not had any dinner! Sunday Liz was at St Michael's Bedford Park Chiswick for the Haydn Harmoniemesse for St Peter and Paul and lunch which she enjoyed although her name was not in the service sheet. Alan Foden from school days had indicated he might visit me but could not come in the end. Tuesday June 30th the end of the Wandsworth heritage festival which was a hige success and to York library for Jon Newman's talk on the history of Price's candle factory. I bought his book and after reading it donated it to the library. I was fortunate to go on one of the last tours of the factory.

Wednesday rehearsal with Stephen Cleobury for Thursday concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Had staff meetings in the morning and they went well. Left at 2 and Liz brought car up. Between rehearsal at Holy Trinity (hopeless sightlines and acoustic very echoey) and concert we walked down to the ice rink in front of the Natural History museum and bought spiced candles and decorations. The concert was great. King's sang Bullard, Weir, Vaughan Williams - superb baritone and tenor soloists, not so keen on the boy. Part 1 of Creation was fun with good tenor and baritone soloists, soprano not so great. Overture to "St Paul" and dance of the tumblers by Rimsky-Korsakov. Tenor sang "Ave Maria" and soprano "Panis". Best of all Fantasia on Christmas carols by Vaughan Williams. 3 congregational carols and 2 encores from Kings - Walford Davies The holly and the ivy and Stephen's arrangement of "Infant holy". 452 bus and 44 bus and drive home by 11.15 p.m...

Wednesday spoke to Ann and Dennis. Ann had enjoyed the wedding DVD. To Appointed by God group. 5 came. Problems getting key - nobody in clergy house but Indra knew that there had been a leak in the Hinsley Room gents loo and John Daly let us in through the kitchen and brought the keys. Interesting chat about suffering and offering up our weakness to God. To St Michael's for part of Peter Litman's recital - Terence there. Francaix, Handel and Borowski. Train and tube to British Museum. Got student discount so hired audio guide which was very good. Hadrian exhibition is smashing - in the reading room and very well presented although a lot of people there and never saw Jewish revolt stuff. Bought postcards of Antinous and Egyptian mummy portraits. To cathedral for Opus Dei 80th anniversary Mass with Cardinal who tripped after the homily.He left out Kyrie and Gloria and said "Lamb of God" instead of Behold the Lamb of God! Communion torch with Liz - too many chiefs again!...

Check http://www.rcdow.org.uk/paul/ for video of Fr Jerome Murphy O'Connor's lecture on Paul.