A small English speaking Catholic community has been meeting without interruptions for about 28 years in Barcelona. It started at the request of some members of the American Women’s Club who did not speak Spanish and who missed celebrating the Eucharist in their own language. A few of us who live here permanently were asked to help. After making some contacts, we were offered a venue, the small chapel of the French Parish in Sarria.

Our first priest was Father Joan Escales, whom some of us knew through the Marriage Encounter movement. He had lived in California, and insisted that the congregation participate actively. So, he reached into his small repertoire of songs to lead us in singing day by day from the musical Godspell, very popular at that time.

We started with mass once a month, then twice a month, and finally every Sunday. From the very beginning, mass was followed by a “coffee hour”, when people who did not know each other could meet and form a community. Also during this time, it was possible to hold classes of preparation for First communion and confirmation. This provided a solution for families who live in various outlaying communities and whose children go to several different schools. There has been a First Communion group almost every year, and a confirmation group every few years. Many children and a few adults have been baptised, and there have also been a few marriages.

Father Joan was transferred a couple of years after we started, and since then we have had a series of priests who serve as our pastors while they can. At present, we have two wonderful Jesuits who alternate celebrating mass.

In 1990, the Diocese decided that the mass in English should be held at the Maria Reina, a larger church with parking space, which has become our home.

Since ours is a fluctuating community, volunteers are always needed to replace people who have been transferred. Groups for Bible study and/or prayer have been held some years and others not. The past two years have been very exciting, since we now have people organising the music, the readings, the prayer group, the children’s classes, and the email list. Plans for next year include forming a web page, where perhaps this history will be included.

Our community is truly international, with members from almost all the continents, and from many traditions, which enriches us greatly.

At this writing, there are around 100 adults in our group, although mass attendance depends on peaks of travelling.

(September, 2005)