Society of Saint Gregory

It is unacceeptable that online bookers can go in up to the start time while the rest have to arrive from work and other places 30 minutes before th time. Complaints have been made. I was not enthusiastic about the Rachmaninoff vespers and wished the choir could have sung their own national music ra...

It was a beautiful Mass with Bishop Richard, lots of priests, family and friends. Wonderful music. Catherine Christmas was cantor/animator and she sang her own psalm setting so prayerfully and beautifully I was very much moved. Bob Hurd's As the deer at communion was the perfect choice and brought b...

Liz and I thoroughly enjoyed the week at Belmont Abbey, Hereford. Being able to take part in the daily office and Mass in that beautiful church is very precious to us. Dom Alan Rees always comes to mind and in fact it was the 12th anniversary of his passing. I did find that the 6.30 a.m. start on tw...

It was great - thoroughly enjoyed the Monteverdi at the Sung Eucharist (far too long a stand during the Taverner Western Wind Mass an Eucharistic prayer). We were able to sit together at the front of the transept. Visiting the shrine of St Edward the Confessor and a glass of wine with the Dean and c...

Yes Martin is indeed a sad loss. He did come and look at the organ I used to play to see whether the tuning could be changed to equal temperament but nothing came of it in the end! The general situation is dismal. Those churches retaining pipe organs are in many cases using digitals or piano. Not ma...

Feel like cheering! Anything to get rid of the clunky translation we have to endure at the moment.

Cordoba cathedral Sunday 12 noon Mass. Our guide was wonderful and told the group about the Mass. We were ushered to a side area where we could see everything on a screen. Bishop celebrating. The gospel was forgiving seven times so we did understand siente a siente n the homily! Servers and incense....

Having attended 61 proms I have my favourites. I agree that the Reformation Day was excellent especially the second concert. I felt that it should have been amalgamated with the organ recital as that did not attract a large audience. 1 p.m. is hardly a convenient time for organists and others coming...

I might add various other liturgical horrors at this service. First item This is the day and the tune then used for the Alleluia and the Great Amen. Clapping Gloria replaced the Lefltly in the booklet. Sanctus unknown to me and tricky to sing. Acclamation in the Eucharistic prayer "He is Lord". Afte...

In response to a letter in The Tablet this week I wrote as follows: Tim Gillett is appalled at the lack of singing at the first Holy Communion service at Thames Ditton. I looked up the parish website and a choir sings at one of the Sunday Masses. No audition needed and no mention of who organises th...

The real point here is Why don't people come to the Vigil? It is part of the Triduum and should be the highpoint of the whole year. Some say it is too long. Sadly people's attention spans are now so short. Another point worth making is that the people can follow the liturgy in the Mass books and if ...

It is a pity about changing the rise in pitch for Lumen Christi as it mirrors This is the wood of the cross and it is effective if well sung! Interesting to note that the threefold plainchant Alleluia is not as ubiquitous as I thought!

While I have never found the word committee in the Bible, there can be value in meeting to reflect on what was good and what could be better. A good way to start the meeting is a short lectio on the Gospel.

I forgot to say that Martin Hall was organist at Erith for many years.

It is sad to have to report the sudden death of Gerrard Goodhind as the age of 65. Gerrard sang bass in the choir of Our Lady of the Angels, Erith, Kent for many years. I knew him through the Catenians as a dear and much loved friend, secretary of Blackheath and Chislehurst circle and outstanding ed...