Parish Priest – Catholic Parish of Kidlington and Woodstock

Father Prem Fernando

Reverend Dr. P. Prem Jayalath Fernando takes up the parish having served as the Catholic Chaplain to University of Warwick for seven years (2004-2011summer). He was at a short sabbatical in English College Rome and appointed as the Chaplain to Oxford Brookes University in 2012 residing at Campion Hall, Oxford. In 2013 summer, he was also appointed as the parish priest at St Thomas More, Kidlington and St Hugh of Lincoln, Woodstock. Since April 2024, he takes a sabbatical from chaplaincy ministry.

He obtained his PhD in Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence Systems from the Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge in 2004. Besides his priestly training starting as young as the age of twelve and then obtaining the Bachelors in Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome, he also went on to specialising in Mathematics and Computing. He obtained his BSc in Mathematics and Computing from University College London, and his MSc in Industrial Mathematics at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He also completed his Diploma in Education in Sri Lanka.

He comes to the parish with over twenty-five years of wider university experience across countries and cultures, of which a good seven years of experience as a chaplain here in UK. His many research interests include areas such as ‘Machine Learning – Learning Techniques that mimic human brain’, ‘shape recognition in manifold high dimensional mappings’, ‘Discussion of faith and reason, science and religion in a secular setting’, ‘religion in the public sphere as a moral compass’ and many more. Besides his academic career and research interests, he also has broader interests such as in music, art, theatre and sports. He is in particular ready for a challenge in table tennis!

You do not have to profess his faith or share his interests to say hi! So do drop by just when you feel or need like wanting to have a chat or just be curious! He is ready to welcome you. Just drop him a line: email, a note, a message or speak to him after a mass.

Normal Routinely Activity

Community Morning Prayer – Mondays and Thursdays 9.10am (not done until further notice)

Community Evening Prayer – Tuesdays 6.30pm(not done until further notice)

Adoration and Benediction – after 11am mass Every First Friday of the month in Kidlington and on Second Wednesdays of the month in Woodstock.

Visiting the sick – Normally on Thursday and / or Wednesdays

Baptisms – On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month

Parish meetings, marriage preparations – Tuesdays before or after mass

Meetings of the parish pastoral group – First Wednesdays (not done until further notice)

Badminton or Table Tennis at the gym – Thursdays! Try and keep up the challenge! Do not hesitate to Challenge. Ready for it!! Got to be good!! &Very

I am sure you would also appreciate that, as we do not have a full fledge office with people employed through the week, most of the office work is done by the priest with the assistance of the secretary who come on a Friday.

You would also give a thought and a consideration that the priest has to do his own shopping, cooking etc. himself living a normal life unlike in the ages past! We all can appreciate it!

Please note you can also meet Fr Prem normally an hour before or after services.

Fr Prem’s diary and availability during a normal week

Sunday 9.30 am mass at Woodstock 11.00 am mass at Kidlington 4.00 for 6.00 pm mass at university until about 9.00 or later

Monday Fr Prem’s quiet day with mass on most Mondays at 9.30 – avoid requesting meetings on Monday

Tuesday Morning at Uni./available by appointment during the day for university students and in the afternoon and evenings meetings by appointment for the parish. 7pm evening mass.

Wednesday 12.00 am mass at Woodstock and available by appointment / Fr Prem’s study day/ preparation of the parish newsletter etc.

Thursday9.30 am School mass . 10.30 am- 3.00 pm at the Uni. Chaplaincy and availability for students and staff. University meetings etc. News letter is prepared in the evening.

Friday Office day – 8.30 am – 3.30 pm Fr Prem is normally available with parish secretary assisting from 8.30 am – 1.30 pm. Parish newsletter is finalised and printed. Preparation for the weekend are done.

Saturday – Preparation (emails, posters, etc.) for Sunday both for the parish and the university. Baptisms and or visits to the sick during the day. Preparation for evening mass and setting up for the evening mass. 5pm Confessions , 6 pm Mass