The organist librarian

Tenebrae and I was book. Superb Victoria and a great strepitus! Played for the Vigil and the Hallelujah chorus got a big clap then straight to the cathedral for the last part with stunning Cochereau at the end. Watched The Big painitng challenge and lovely Easter at King's while I worked on my mosaic. Home at midnight. Have now uploaded all Jerusalem photos. 

To morning prayer at the cathedral and the choir sang Victoria and Anerio superbly. The soloist was a 13 year old with a fine tenor voice. Went to Methodist central hall for hot cross and coffee and very good meditation by Canon David Stanton. Procession to the cathedral where the Cardinal gave a fine meditation on the trail of Jesus. His homily at morning prayer was also excellent. Cam home and played at 3 p.m. at St Michael's - Paul sang al the prayers and preached well - it seems the Chrism Mass at Rochester was uninspiring. Liz came back around 6 and watched University Challenges. 

To St Augustine Kilburn for Christian/Muslim forum on the family: challenges and benefits. Bishop Paul Hendricks there all day, Revd Maggie Hindley and Father Colin Amos. It was interesting but ... 1.       St Augustine’s was very cold and the seats were uncomfortable. Some complained of not being able to hear the speakers well. Why not use a smaller space and heat that? The toilets were not well signposted and I had to ask where they were. I would certainly not go to an  event there in the winter in the future. 2.       While it was understandable that we should be invited to the normal 12 noon Mass it did place the Roman Catholics in an awkward position which could have been avoided I think with a non-Eucharistic service. 3.       The speakers took up all the time and there was little time for questions in the morning session. In fact my question was answered in part later in the day. 4.  ...

Swam 18 as I was late because of frost on the car. Wrote an articel about recent events called Bewildered? Guiding at the cathedral with Maureen who told me some interesting things. Lady on about wooden statue of Mary turned out to be a Padre Pio and anti-abortion fan and loves Our Lady of Guadelupe. Had a few questions. To St Paul's for vespers sung by Westminster cathedral choir. Guess what the servers with Paul M, Paul T, Jess, Rebecca, Jack and a blonde stranger. Saw Martin Ball and Anne Welch. Buxtehude Magnificat and Victoria O quam gloriousum. Home for dinner and beer. Watched War horse prom and Still open all hours. Luis has resigned as Provincial President elect and all offices in his 2 circles so I have offered to be PP at some stage. 

36% turnout is a disgrace and UKIP have won far too many seats. Croydon went Labour. Swam 20. Spent the day putting up the pictures in the hall. To 5 p.m. vespers combined choirs of Westminster Abbey and cathedral - Victoria and Bassano, Martin Ford played Bach. Canon Jane Hedges's last service in Westminster as she is to be Dean of Norwich. It was nice to see her. I did not hang around for a drink (if there was one!) as Louise was coming with the boys. Saturday to Joanna's for breakfast at 10 a.m. = delicious. Dennis arrived with chocolate and books about trains! Louise took the car to the garage - there is a small hole in cooling system pipe so she borrowed our car. We served at 2.30 p.m. Golden Jubilee Mass of Fr Tony Brunning and Fr Tom Wiley. Nice food in hall - Pam Winters there. Served at 6 p.m. Mass with Fr Alexander. BBC2 comedy on TV also Chelsea flower show,

Book bearer at morning prayer and tenebrae - lovely Victoria and an excellent homily from the Cardinal. Shopping and tea at Marks. Beautiful  evensong from Chichester featuring Bairstow Lamentations and Jackson in G. Had a fun day putting family tree onto ancestry.co.uk. Picked up Ann and Paul from West Norwood and Dennis came. To Beckenham for Vigil and Fr Paul sang Exultet very dramatically and effectively. Only 19 there but the singing was good. One baptism. Hallelujah chorus got a clap and a Bravo! To cathedral by 10.30 in time for consecration prayer. Choir sang Gabrieli but of course missed the Vierne. Vierne 6 at the end - splendid. Home by 12.30.  It seems Martin Baker composed the Mandatum music on Tuesday and choir sang it magnificently on Maundy Thursday.

Woke early and we all went to the station together as Ann and Paul went off to Reading. Served at morning prayer. I was wearing the scarlet wimp as mitre bearer. Choir sang the Vittoria and Anerio beautifully. To Trafalgar Square for the Passion of Jesus. Sat at the side and watched it on the big screen. It was very moving and well done. Liz went back to the cathedral and I went to St Michael's. There were 24 there and Paul gave a powerful sermon on God is dead - it's between me and God will not do. Home by 4.30 and Liz back around 6.45. Dennis came down. Songs of Praise from Bradford including Nardone A new commandment. Have found a lot of family history photos for York.

To Bloomsbury Baptist for excellent recital by Tom Bell. Vierne, RVW, Bliss and Elgar at which point I slipped out. There was a very smelly man behind me! Fr Christopher at Mass and he spoke about Mothering Sunday. The Zenobia choir from Madrid sang Vittoria. We went to Kent House and drove to Langley Park golf club for Beckenham's dinner which was black tie and quite delightful. Delicious lamb and apple crumble - £25 each. Home by 10.45 and clocks go forward an hour.

Took Liz to Shirley Oaks hospital for initial discussion and I fetched the turkey, beef and sausage meat from the butchers. It seems what I got was smaller than ordered! Not my fault. Liz goes back on Jan 7. Nice ham lunch with Bruce and EJ and opened the lovely present they brought including fudge. To Westminster Abbey carol service which was lovely despite the coughing and talking over the organ voluntaries but Messiaen and Dupre do not appeal at all. Rutter, well-known carols and very nice Poulenc, Victoria and new carol by Toby Young. I'm afraid James O'Donnell's arrangements are not a patch on Willcocks! Home to watch John Bishop.

To morning prayer and some more superb singing of Victoria responsories and Anerio and a very effective strepitus which sounded like an earthquake! Watched Melvyn Bragg's interesting programme on Mary Magdalene. Looking in back over Lent what are the highlights? The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent book Abiding, readings each day in Walk with me and The Glory of these 40 days. The cathedral Lent group Amazing grace. Visiting Tudeley church to see the Chagall windows. The Faith Matters talks. Bishop Christopher at Westminster Abbey on painting, poetry and prayer. Pope Francis. The Tablet meditations on St Columba. The seder meal. The cathedral choir singing Victoria responsories and Anerio Christus factus est. These are not in order - just a rich tapestry.

The news that Pope Francis washed the feet of a woman Muslim prisoner will certainly upset the traditionalists and I hope it does! The Tablet says he washed the feet of 12 mothers on a previous occasion. To the cathedral for Morning prayer and I was book bearer. Superb Victoria responsories and Anerio Christus factus est. To St John's for 12 noon liturgy. Sanders Reproaches. I had book open at Casals O vos omnes instead of Gesualdo - oops! Nice soup and cheese lunch. I had leek and potato and the pasta and vegetable. Sat with Joy and Geoff. Feeling annoyed by Mary Smith who commented on us not being at rehearsal which Adrian had agreed. To St Michael's and 30 there and all went well - relatively simple. Fr Paul took off sandals and chasuble to venerate - very dramatic and he sang the prayers very well. Perhaps he was a professional singer. I somehow doubt it. He certainly has stage experience. Liz was up late baking a second batch of hot cross buns which were delicious. Seems ...

One of my favourite feasts and a day at the cathedral. Liz to college. 10.30 a.m. Mass I was boat and Emmanuel was smoke - he is a pain. All in Latin. Choir sang Tallis, Victoria Mass O magnum mysterium and superb Holst Nunc Dimittis. Dubois Toccata. Time for tea with Jason then 12.30 Mass for religious/with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was acolyte with Andrew. Fr Alexander was cantor and Edward did a clever improvisation on Christ be our light. Nice lunch in hall and saw Miriam and had a long chat to nuns from Hayes, Middlesex - two Sister Marys one who knows Michael Barnes and the other had been in Oxford and is now 84. She taught history in Moscow University. Did some reading and to St Paul's bookshop for sale and tea with Liz at M & S. St Martin Anglican choir from Roath, Cardiff at Mass with their vicar - excellent Mawby and Will Todd - one of the best. Home to watch Art Deco icons, a Spanish Hollywood house in Devon and the Orient Express, also Make me a Muslim  

Swam 26 because I was late. To Heythrop to hand in finance forms - charges have gone up. Met Michael Smith resplendent in blazer and off sailing for a fortnight. Meeting with Fr Rocco about interfaith sharing. Jonathan Gorsky said he had 2 lectures on Thursday but that is the day that suits my class! Wednesday next term but not this term please! Volunteered to help at Freshers' fair next Thursday. To library. 9 to Royal Academy for the outstanding Bronze exhibition. Brian Sewell in the Standard criticised the glass cases and the lighting but some of the lighting is brilliant! Loved the Roman satyr, Il porcellino, beautiful horse's head, Indian Gods - some remarkable work. To Tate Britain to see Pre-Raphaelites - not my favourite art but I did like the Paradise room with furnishings and carpet. Lots of people at both places. Wait for 88 bus and Michael Redman saw me outside the Abbey. Combined evensong with the Cathedral choir - Stanford psalm, Clucas responses, Palestrina, Vict...

Lovely Victoria at morning prayer and tenebrae elements with strepitus most effective. I was mitre bearer again! To Acton and a lovely lunch cooked by Tom - scallops and salmon and chocolate mousse. Front garden now cleared and grey slate. Ciarán had a great time playing in his room and reading his new Mr Men books. To the vigil at 8.30 p.m. stunning Dvorak Mass in D, Palestrina Sicut cervus, Handel Israel great fun. Lots baptised and received and confirmed. Another fine homily. Fr Alexander sang well and we had bees twice! Fr Paolo sang the litany. Brian read and nice to see him. Concentration torch - because eminarians are there Liz has been torch all week! To the common room for champagne and drinks. Took Patrick home and got home about 1 a.m. Up OK and to Coulsdon for my last Easter there. Baptism - one hymn got left out "The day of resurrection" (can't say I really like that one much) and we sang "The strife is o'er" and "Jesus Christ is risen to...

Maundy Thursday went well in the round using piano and organ. Small choir coped well. John did turn up although he was on call. I did not get to communion but no matter. Not many congregation. To Morning prayer and I was mitre bearer. Beautiful Vittoria from the choir. Liz went to the Passion play in Trafalgar Square and I helped a Spanish lady get to Central Hall where we had coffee and hot cross. Met Philip, Stephen and Miriam. Good turnout and excellent addresses from Archbishop Vincent and the Mike Rayson Illinois Methodist minister at the Abbey about the death of his 11 year old son. 3 p.m. liturgy beautifully sung. Had to leave before the Casals to get to Selhurst to pick up car to drive to Coulsdon - got there 5.45. Cross of Christ went really well. Adrian played and Bob X 2, Terence, Tony and Francis sang. Greater love and the Somervell Praise to the holiest thrilling. SOme good soft singing in the Mozart and Ouseley. To White Hart Chipstead for a lemonade and took Fra...

Sunday watched Antiques roadshow and the last Upstairs, downstairs where Persie got her just reward having ruined a marriage and career. Monday the Annunciation. Liz went to babysit and all went well. To cathedral for 5.30 mass and glorious Victoria from the full choir, genuflection in the creed. Rushed to station and got train to Selhurst where Brendan Fitzgerald picked me up for Beckenham meeting. Always a pleasure to go there despite sticking to lemonade! Tuesday reading about alGhazali and watched Heavenly voices about Salisbury cathedral choristers - lovely programme including Stanford in G.

Liz returned a.m. and Ocado delivered. To Heythrop for 1 p.m. college Mass. Fr Rocco asked me to read and it was celebration of Jesuit martyrs Edmund Campion, John Southwell - Austrian priest. Schola with guitar, sax (well played) and violin. 2 Haugen items, Farrell and Christ be beside me. Oddly proper not sung! Sr Hilda prayed for - funeral date not decided as yet. At coffee met Matthew the violinist. He is doing MA in pastoral theology and has 4 young children. Turns out he is Unification church at Chislehurst and knows Adrian Lynch - small world! I told him the story of 5 years ago. We had an interesting chat - he went to Cardinal Vaughan school and his parents arranged his marriage! Reading Cavanaugh on Helios and listened to vespers from the Oratory and Benjamin Britten on The choir. Met a Catenian on the train from Dulwich circle!

Friday to St George's Beckenham for Norman Harper's recital. Super Liszt BACH and Wachet auf then hilarious hornpipe by Noel Rawsthorne and Departure of the Queen of Sheba by Paul Ayres - great jokes. Gave Mass music to Dorio who is still having problems with bullying priest and bishops have been! Liz went over to Chiswick and to Enfield for Swavek's induction. To St John's for recording of superb evensong by King's London - Vittoria and Bach. At choir Tony Trent came but no Karen or John. Janet went home sick. Oh dear. Saturday to Heythrop for Advent retreat Prof Richard Price Heythrop prof of theology on Augustine - I commented on the words from the Cross. Met Liz and she came for tea int he convent. Sr Hilda gravely ill. Talk on Marie Eugenie Assumptionist founder - a remarkable woman. To Vespers (late) and Downside Abbey school choir sang well at Mass - Bruckner, Christopher Tambling conducted by Edward, Byrd. Farewell party for Sr Bridget with some Irish singin...

The family returned safely from Ireland where Ciarán enjoyed the farm and slept in a bed! To Heythrop on Tuesday and 4 for chat before lecture - Ben seems very odd indeed. Damian was amusing. On return home found I got 60 out of 100 for my first essay so happy with that. Wednesday to serve at the St Cecilia service for Musicians Benevolent Fund. The 3 choirs were stunning - Victoria Ave Maria, Ronald Corp's Laudate dominum with a perfect boy soloist, Croce and Elgar Great is the Lord. We had a perfect seat on the sanctuary to watch Martin Baker at work. Dame Felicity Palmer read a section from Pope Benedict perfectly and the Archbishop gave a wonderful address on music - love and adoration, communion, maybe music is the answer to the losses on our society? To M & S for tea and toasties. Excellent evensong from Windsor. To Streatham liberal synagogue to hear Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger launch her book "Is that all there is?". She spoke about caring, dying, volunteer...

Took Ciarán to music - he now walks rather than use the buggy and chats away! To spirituality day with Mary Lean on self-control which was excellent. Got lunch at M & S. I served at 3.30 broadcast Requiem Mass of Victoria. The singing was superb. I was cross, acolyte and bell. Home and then to St John's where we were to sing the Vittoria but in the end only did the introit. Tuning was disastrous at the rehearsal but it came together. The rest was plainchant. I think St Andrew's non-Eucharistic service works better as there were so many names read out while candles were lit. Susanna Martin was there - nice to see her. Picked up Liz at Thornton Heath.