LATEST UPDATE (8th May, 2021)
Parish finances. A big ‘Thank You’ to those who have been most generous in their response to the recent statement about our parish finances. If you have not yet had the chance to read the statement it is available here: Parish Finances
Going forward: Next week sees a further easing of regulations across the country and there is a general sense of greater confidence and perhaps expectation on the part of some, but continued apprehension, if not anxiety, on the part of others. None of the immediate changes will affect how things are done in the parish. Indeed, as long as social distancing remains in force, and because of the nature of our building and other operational issues, we will continue to be severely limited in the numbers that can be accommodated. So, booking for Sunday mass will have to continue for some time. If social distancing were to be removed at the end of June – and that is still speculative at this stage – there will need to be an extended period of adjustment. Throughout the pandemic the parish has adopted a cautious and steady as she goes approach and this will continue. It is unlikely that the Hall (and therefore access to toilets) will be operational until at least September at the earliest. We are fortunate in this country that things do seem to be improving but risk remains.
Mass times and church opening:
Sunday mass is at 9.30 & 11.00 a.m. by advanced booking only and with priority for those working, at school, and First Communion candidates. The 9.30 mass is heavily subscribed and will mean an allocation perhaps every other Sunday or two Sundays out of three. The 11.00 mass is not so heavily subscribed so attendance may be more regular.
Weekday mass (Tuesday – Friday) is at 10.00 a.m. No need to book. There is good capacity on all days.
For all masses please be punctual. The doors will be closed five minutes before mass starts and it will not be possible to admit latecomers.
Please be advised that the Sunday obligation remains suspended and so, for some, it might be beneficial to attend during the week.
On Sundays the church will remain open after the 9.30 mass until 10.30 for those who may wish to make short individual visits but will then be closed for cleaning before the 11.00 a.m. mass. During the week, the church will remain open after the 10.00 a.m. mass until 11.00 a.m.
As long as social distancing measures remain in place and, given the particular constraints of our building and other factors, the numbers we are able to accommodate will continue to be severely restricted.
How to make a reservation to attend mass:
Bookings need to be made afresh – (standing bookings from before Christmas will need to be made again). You can request a reservation by one of the following methods (in order of preference):-
- Send an email to oliadmin@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
- Leave a clear message on the parish office phone 01202 760640
- In writing, and placed in the letter box by the church door, or by post to Our Lady Immaculate, Seamoor Road, Westbourne, BH4 9AE
When making a booking, please give the following details and you will be contacted by phone or email to let you know which mass you can be offered:-
Name(s)
Phone number or email address:
Number of seats required:
Which Sunday mass you would prefer: 9.30, or 11.00, or either.
Would you like to be added to the ongoing Sunday rota? Yes/No
Parishioners attending mass (n.b. reservations required for Sunday masses) should queue outside the Church in a socially distanced manner. The door will be unlocked promptly ten minutes before mass and will be closed five minutes before mass starts after which there will be no entry, so please be punctual. Hands must be sanitised on entry and face masks must be worn at all times, except when receiving communion or for children under the age of eleven. Names & addresses will be kept for 21 days and if necessary, may be passed to NHS Test & Trace. The QR code is posted on the main notice board for those who have the NHS contact tracing App. Please note: There will be no access to the Hall, the lift or to the toilets.
A directory of online masses has been provided by the Bishops’ Conference and can be found at: www.cbcew.org.uk
The link below is a useful directory for finding a mass online:
Live Catholic Mass Online
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A ‘Thank you’ to those who are using the ‘Donate’ button on the website. The ‘Donate’ button has the facility of adding a reference (in the ‘Leave a message’ box) and also the option to Gift Aid any donation. Any donation with no specific reference will be treated as ordinary offertory. The donate button can therefore be used for a mass intention (mark the reference ‘re: xxx but also email or phone the office to request an intention). The parish’s bank details are set out below for those who may wish to take out a standing order.
- Bank: Lloyds
- Account Name: PRCDTR Bournemouth Our Lady Immaculate
- Sort Code: 30-93-04
- Account Number: 00875075
The Parish Office is physically closed but will remain operational.
Tel: 01202 760640
Email: oliadmin@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Fr Andrew may be contacted directly by email at:
andrewmoore@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
We remember in our prayers all Health workers, those who have been directly affected, remembering especially those who have died.
