Our Lady and St. Hugh

Introduction

Our Lady and Saint Hugh in Witney, within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, is distinguished by its church at Tower Hill, completed in 1975 at a cost of £90,000.

History

The parish owes its beginnings to George de Serlonne, a Frenchman who came to Oxford in 1913 and cycled to Witney to instruct children in the faith. Mr Daniel Hanley of Oxford left £500 in his will for a Witney Mission, and Mass was celebrated once a month by a priest from Oxford in a room at the railway station. In 1911 Fr Arthur Sammons began visiting Witney workhouse. In 1928 a generous donation enabled Fr John Lopes to be appointed as priest in Witney.

In 1914 Georges hired a small medieval chapel, No. 1 Church Green, for Mass, founding the church listed in the diocesan directory for 1916 as St Hugh of Lincoln. The Piety shop is located at the rear of the Church and opens after each of the three weekend Masses. Confessions take place in the Chapel.

Music and liturgy

The parish maintains both a choir and a folk group. The choir leads music for the liturgy, using regularly used settings, psalms and hymns, and similar pieces for special feasts. The parish takes part each year where possible in the Special Mass for Altar Servers at the Cathedral, joining usually over 200 other servers from the Archdiocese. A prayer group began over 25 years ago, and during the first Gulf War (1990/91) it was decided to say the rosary and other prayers in Church for justice and peace in the world, and for vocations. These prayers continue after Mass on Tuesday evenings.

Parish life

The SVP Conference began in Witney in November 1993. In 1990, a group of parishioners formed a team of Welcomers to greet the congregation and provide information for newcomers. A group of parishioners work to maintain fresh flower arrangements, especially for major feasts and events. Church Wardens cover all the weekend and special feast day Masses, with duties including car parking and organising offertory collections.

The parish has 10 altar servers and welcomes young people who have made their First Holy Communion. The Servers are treated each year to a bowling event and chocolate treats at Christmas and Easter. The parish has a growing number of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Eucharist ministers take Communion to those members prevented by sickness, old age, or other cause from taking part in the gathering for Mass.

Parents wishing to have a child Baptised at Our Lady & St Hugh are required to attend a two-session course of preparation. Children who attend Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School receive training as part of the Sacramental syllabus as well as attending workshops.

The youth group meets on the 2nd Sunday evening of each month in the Parish hall. The SVP in Witney visits people in the parish who may need help, provides lifts to church, and links with the Witney Foodbank.