Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Parish Community Centre Project Fact Sheet.

Although most parishioners and friends of the parish are aware of the new parish centre proposal, this fact sheet has been produced to provide more information on some of the aims and objectives of the project.

The project involves the construction of a new parish centre building and associated alterations to the church car park and access road. A new memorial garden is also being created.

The two storey building which will be attached to the northwest end of the church, will consist of a function / meeting room as well as reception, kitchen, storage and administrative areas. There will also be toilets (including disabled toilet) and a lift.

The centre’s primary access will be via a main entrance in the car park, however, there will also be access via the church through a connecting corridor. Plans of the new building are available for parishioners to look at.

The new parish centre will enrich parish life for current and future generations, by providing a comfortable purpose built environment to meet. Activities include parish groups, functions and celebrations as well as sacramental preparation.

The function / meeting room will also be available for hire. Importantly, this will provide a vital source of income and enable the parish to interact with the wider local community.

God willing, it is hoped to complete the project in approximately three years time.

The car park will be affected in three ways.

Firstly, as part of the car park will be lost to the new building, extra spaces will be created by extending into the gravel area at the top of the current car park. Secondly, the narrow entrance road into the car park will be widened, by moving the dividing wall that separates the church grounds and number of two Church Street. Finally, the car park will be used to raise income for the parish through the introduction of parking charges for certain uses. The exact details of this are yet to be worked out, but at present the vast majority of vehicles using the car park during the week belong to business or other users who are not attending services or on parish business. In fact, as a fundraising initiative for the new centre, this idea is being considered for early introduction. It must be stressed that church services or parish use will not be affected by any charges.

The memorial garden will be a new eco friendly landscaped garden situated in the outdoor area currently between the sacristy and the presbytery.

It will provide an area for peace and meditation, but could also be used for events if necessary. It will have a central wall made of Portland stone and a statue. The statue design is yet to be decided. An important feature of the garden is that cremated remains will be able to be interred there, with the names of the deceased displayed centrally on the wall. The garden will be a fantastic addition to the parish and this part of the project could be complete as early as summer 2009. Plans of the garden are on display in the church porch.

The current estimate is £1.75 million based on completion in approximately 3 years time.

Funds will be raised through parish events, grants, the sale of property, sponsored events etc. St Mary’s school will also be involved. However, every parishioner should be aware that as the amount of money required is so large, the project could only succeed if the parish community generates a substantial amount of money. It is hard to predict a final figure for this amount but it could run well into six figures from general donations alone. A further reality is that we are on a long fundraising mission and only a sustained effort in the next 3 years can give us any chance of success.

Regular fundraising updates will be given throughout the project and a fundraising ‘thermometer’ is being placed at the back of the church.

Over the next few years there will be a lot of fundraising initiatives in addition to the parishes normal fundraising activity. Do you or your friends have any ideas how you might like to raise money? Fundraising can be great fun and involve all age groups. Activities so far or planned include: sponsored walk, Valentine’s Day ball, coffee mornings, Sunday lunches, fashion shows, social evenings, food sales and ‘buy a brick’ to name a few. However, parishioners are encouraged to extend their imagination and involve as many people as possible! Contact the Parish Office if you’d like to share ideas with others. This is also a good time to try a new activity or pastime, set yourself a target – and get sponsored!

If you have taken a collection box home, bring it into church to be emptied on the first weekend of every month. A box will be placed at the back of church before Masses, for you to empty donations. The Welcomers will be on hand to advise if necessary.

If you already gift aid your weekly offerings, it is important that you complete a yellow slip showing the amount donated every time you empty your box. Slips can be found in the collection box at the back of church. Without the yellow slip, we will not be able to claim gift aid, which will be a terrible loss of vital funds.

A standing order for as little as £1 can be set up from your bank account. You will need a form from the Welcomers or from the parish office. Complete the right hand section. If you are able to gift aid, please complete the left hand side of the form as well and return the form to the parish office clearly stating that it is for the no. 2 Account.

Please place cheques in the brown gift aid envelopes found at the back of the church and post into the wall collection box at the rear of the church near Our Lady’s Chapel.

Money can simply be deposited at any time into the wall collection box at the rear of the church near Our Lady’s Chapel.

Updates will be given in the weekly bulletin, the web site and regularly by Fr Paul and parishioner members of the new Parish Centre Steering Group.

For further information on the parish centre project, please contact the parish office on 01865 253 277. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am until 3pm.