Parish Communications

Parish Priest Appointed

You will be pleased to know that Archbishop Bernard has appointed a
new parish priest of St. Thomas More and St. Hugh of Lincoln. His name
is Fr. Damian Nwankwo who at the moment is parish priest of Wooton
Wawen in Warwickshire. He will be arriving to take up his post at the
beginning of February. Please pray for him and for one another as we
begin this next stage of our parish journey. I am sure you will welcome
him warmly.

Fr. Mervyn

Letter to the Parish of Kidlington and Woodstock from the Dean

November 14^th 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Good evening/morning.

I am writing to you to update you on the situation in the parish following the move of Fr. Prem. We all understand how difficult it is for a parish to function normally without a permanent priest.

1. I know that the Archbishop is endeavouring to appoint a new parish priest as soon as possible. As I’m sure you appreciate, there are less priests than years ago and this impacts on the whole Archdiocese where several large parishes have been similarly awaiting new appointments.
2. During this interim period, I am trying to ensure that there are supply priests to cover the weekend Masses in the parish. Despite the relative high numbers of priests in our Deanery, with the presence of the Religious Orders, most of them already have Sunday and community commitments and, although willing, are not available. At the moment, all the usual weekend Masses are covered up to and including the Third Sunday of Advent and also the 11.00am Mass for Sunday December 21^st, Christmas Day, December 28^th and January 4^th. I shall let you know as soon as possible about the other Masses for these dates.
3. The Deanery will continue to cover emergency calls and provide for funerals and other pastoral needs that might arise.
4. In the meantime, after a productive parish community meeting on Tuesday evening, there is a real commitment to ensure that the parish continues not merely to function but to flourish in its mission to build up the Kingdom of God. This needs the involvement of as many parishioners as possible and I hope you will all continue to support one another. Please contact me if you feel I can be of assistance.

With prayers and best wishes,

Fr. Mervyn Tower

Dean of Oxford North Deanery

Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held at St Thomas More church hall – Monday 8 December 2025

In attendance: Charles King ,Sean Calnan, Julie Murphy,Margaret King (Chair) ,Tim Selwood, Jane Leman,

John Bellasis (Secretary), Sandra Lenagan, Ann Wilkin,Rania Naser (School Support), Anne Garrett, Teresa Canning,Mary Laina, Cathy Morrison, Marika Dimech,Louis Borucki Maggie Borucki

Apologies: Kathleen Kelly, Mary Joseph, Julieann Exley (was present but had to leave for a matter in school)

1. Margaret King assumed the Chair and opened the meeting at 5:15pm with a prayer.
2. Communication:
   1. Fr Martin Flatman has been booked to say the 11 o’clock Sunday Mass for all of January. (For other bookings see the updated lists in the sacristies.)
   2. It was agreed that the Deanery letter should be posted on the web. Some aspects of communication are dynamic and the website should be used for changes at short notice if possible. Flyers for special events should be prepared for distribution at the churches and could also be posted on the website. Notices should be read from the lectern each weekend so that they can be clearly heard.
   3. It was clarified that a Eucharistic Service held on a Sunday or Feast Day must be authorised by “the Bishop”; but not necessary at other times.
   4. SL and CK led the discussion on the urgent need for commissioning of Eucharistic Ministers. LB said he would ask Fr Mervyn if more Eucharistic Ministers can be commissioned.
3. Christmas plans for both churches are covered. There will be no Mass or service in St Hugh’s on Christmas Day. JB expressed concern for those locals of Woodstock that will expect a service of some kind and reminded the meeting of the need to maintain attendance at both churches. Assurance was given that attendance levels at both churches had increased recently and most of the congregation at St Hugh’s had cars and would be able to travel to St Thomas More.
4. The School Carol Service is at 6pm on 17^th December. They will hold a Eucharistic Service in St Thomas More’s church at 9:30am on 18^th December, their last day of term. All parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend.
5. Care for the most vulnerable:
   1. There was an event at the Gosford School to which all Oxford primary schools were invited to sing to a gathering of elderly and vulnerable people. St Thomas More children participated and there are plans to take the experience into the care homes.
   2. MK is proposing to attend a meeting of Churches Together in January and will raise the issue of services in the homes; such as those held at Spencer Court (behind St Hugh’s church).
   3. There needs to be a Safeguarding review of DBS certificate cover across the parish; to be conveyed to the Diocese via the Deanery. SL confirmed that DBS certificates are not required when attending a service in a Care Home.
6. Pastoral Visit at the end of January:
   1. Rt Rev Bishop Richard Walker has yet to communicate any plans he may have for his visit.
   2. SL, CK and RN are confident of merging their plans with those of the Bishop; for example, RN advised that the 1st Holy Communion Mass, including Confirmations, will be postponed for the arrival of the Bishop. Plans will be reviewed at the next meeting.
7. Any Other Business: The next extraordinary meeting will be held on Monday 19 January 2026 at 5pm in the St Thomas More church hall.
8. MK closed the meeting at 18:15 with a prayer.

Recorded Minutes of Meetings

Previous Recorded Minutes of Meetings