There were many Irish families: Mum, Dad and 4 red headed offspring. It made you smile looking around trying to spot the nationalities. Everyone seemed happy to be there, even though it was a Portuguese language Mass.

Shortly after, the chapel was closed for extensive renovations, which went on for nearly two years. When it reopened in July 2018, people seemed to have forgotten about the chapel, and the Mass. We struggled to get the numbers up again. A year later, COVID hit and this was a major blow, with closures and tentative reopenings with distanced seating plans. We never got the crowds back again.

By then the priest and the time table had changed, the parish merged with two others as well. We no longer had two weekend masses but only one Saturday afternoon Mass. The priest was saying 5-6 masses every weekend throughout his triple parish and was spread very thin. Local people were unhappy about the changes and many lapsed at that time.

This was truly a crisis for our chapel. Too many changes in a short time had interrupted a very comfortable and familiar pattern of life. What could we do?

As a relative newcomer, and only partially aware of Portuguese sensitivities, I focused on what I knew how to do. I appointed myself as Liaison for the International Community, and started building a nucleus of non-Portuguese parishioners through a monthly email information sheet, advising of masses, and any changes especially at Christmas and Easter. This lifeline built up over time and today stands at 98 addresses. Many of these people are occasional visitors and part time residents. Incredibly, we are only 5 permanent foreign residents who regularly attend Mass in Carvoeiro. Our weekly church bulletin printed on the back of the Mass sheet has all the up to date times of Masses and local information, and this is designed to be taken away and shared.

Realising that our mission here is of outreach to a transient international population is crucial to our way of thinking. Our first job is to make information available in the widest possible sense. This includes facebook, newspaper articles, a notice board at church and of course, word-of-mouth.

Our next task is to make the mass as attractive as possible, providing translations of Portuguese readings and copies of the Portuguese liturgy so people can follow and join in, writing guides to the church in 8 languages, explaining some of the modern sacred artworks. Also including some singing. As the Portuguese parishioners became elderly and could no longer sing, we were asked to provide singing in English. And we do, using the most popular tunes known by most people - once again providing hymn sheets. This has been a success. And we always notice when we get trained singers visiting us, as they provide strong voices and harmonies.

Most importantly, we must acknowleldge, greet and welcome people who come from very different countries. Before mass is the best time, as they arrive, when we distribute our various sheets. Recognising familar faces we haven’t seen for a year or so, reconnecting with them, listening to their stories of loved ones ill or passed away, their joys or troubles. Finding out about new visitors. Taking the time for a little chat. Creating a warm place for fellowship and a shared faith regardless of language and nationality.

The chapel itself is a most delightful sacred space, recreated in a modern and uplifting light coloured atmosphere. It is guaranteed to lift spirits and help widen our thoughts beyond the immediate concerns of our daily lives.

Offering refreshments after Mass is a very valuable extra, yet something we only manage to do infrequently. Sharing a coffee or a cold drink is always a great help for newcomers to meet and chat with regular parishioners. It is an informal setting for more practical questions which often arise when expatriates are newly arrived and overwhelmed with bureaucracy and decisions to be made. Those who are brave and join us are always pleased they have done so.

We could do none of this without the full support and encouragement of the parish priest. He has been working hard increasing the Portuguese attendance by focusing on children and young people. He always welcomes the Carvoeiro Scout troop who come to Mass after their Scouting activities on a Saturday. Padre Nuno took up the challenge of working on his English language skills a few years ago, and is now able to say Mass in English, preach in English, celebrate a wedding and a funeral in English. He does this out of firm commitment to “Feed his Sheep” to take care of his international flock.

He was one of the first to offer Mass in English not only once a month but more importantly at Christmas and at Easter. The Christmas Eve Mass is well advertised and attracts nearly 200 people, residents and visitors alike. Easter afternoon Mass this year had a similar attendance.

The annual CAROLS ON THE CLIFFS event held the week before Christmas always attracts a large number of people to the amphitheatre behind the chapel, and many people discover the chapel at that time and make plans to attend Christmas Eve Mass.

The Carvoeiro chapel has opened the eyes of many, and continues to attract those seeking the Lord in a meaningful way.

By Madeleine Wheare

Liaison for the International Community

Parish of Lagoa, Parchal and Mexilhoeira da Carregação

“LAPARMEX”

Carvoeiro Catholics

Our Lady of Incarnation Carvoeiro

Saturdays 5:30pm

English & Portuguese

Engish Mass every 3rd Sunday 4pm

carvoeirocatholics@gmail.com

964 933 823