Filipino Parish Barcelona

La Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo Ruiz

First Filipino Personal Parish Outside the Philippines

San Agustin Church, Plaza San Agustin, 1

08001 Barcelona España

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HISTORY

1986
Rev. Father Avelino Sapida del Rosario, the First Filipino Priest with the mission of creating a Chaplaincy for the Filipino community arrived in Barcelona on February 13. The First Filipino Mass for the Filipino and English speaking seamen was celebrated as the beginning of the spiritual services to them on March 9. With the assistance from the Parish Priest the Archdiocese of Barcelona gave the permission for the use of Santa Monica Church for Sunday Mass and other religious celebrations of the Filipinos on June 3. The Inaugural Mass for the Filipino Chaplaincy was held on June 29. The Chaplain found a big challenge and a bulk of work needed by the Filipino Community for this reason he requested the Congregation of Benedictine Missionaries of Tutzing to help the Chaplaincy by establishing the Centro Filipino and the first Benedictine sister arrived on October 1. The Congregation of the Benedictine Missionaries funded the acquisition of a flat in Calle Riera Baja, 4-6, 08001 Barcelona Spain, now referred to as the office of Centro Filipino. It was inaugurated on November 30 and attended by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, the Mother General of the Congregation Mother Irene Dabalus, OSB together with Sister Pia and Sister Baptista, OSB. Centro Filipino officers who were occupied mostly by the Benedictine Sisters has always been under the authority and supervision of the Chaplaincy and then the Parish.

1987
The Chaplaincy with the help of Centro Filipino responded to the needs of Filipino migrants and seamen. They started relating with different government agencies, NGO's and other migrant organizations.

1988
The need for an association that will look into the welfare and defend the rights of the migrants have been clearly identified. On the Feast of the Resurrection the Samahan ng Migranteng Pilipino sa Barcelona (SMPB) was created with the guidance of Chaplaincy and Centro Filipino.

1989-1990
The Chaplaincy and Centro Filipino has been an active part of the promotions of the right of migrant workers together with other collectives and Non-Governmental Organizations.

1991
On June 7, a "Regularization" for undocumented was then declared by the Spanish Government and the Chaplaincy and Centro Filipino help in the disseminations of information. They assisted on the preparations of necessary documents. The help was available not only to Filipinos.

1993
Due to the continuous increase of faithful attending the Sunday’s Masses, the Archdiocese transferred the Chaplaincy from Santa Monica to San Justo y Pastor Church on March 28.

1995
On November 3, 1996, the Chaplain sent an Official Letter to the Archbishop of Barcelona, asking for a recognition of the Filipino Community in Barcelona as a Personal Parish as provided for by Canon Law.

1996
On May 19, the Coordinating Council was organized by the Chaplaincy; it was composed of registered associations, church groups and volunteer individuals who are serving the Filipino Community. The Coordinating Council was created for the celebration of the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence.
June 16 was posted to be the celebration of the 100th year of Philippine Revolution and 98th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. This day marked the beginning of the preparations for the centennial. The guest of honor was Dr. Antono Molina a known Philippine Historian. On November 16, Fr. Conrado N. Amon, who was sent by the Bishop of Imus Cavite arrived in Barcelona. And to accommodate the increasing number the Filipino faithful, on December 19 the Archdiocese of Barcelona decided to allow the use of a much bigger structure, the San Agustin Church located at Plaza San Agustin 1.

1997
Msgr. Angel T. Hobayan, BIshop of Catarman, member of Episcopal Commission of Filipino Migrants wrote a letter of follow up to the Bishop of Barcelona regarding the Chaplains request in making the Filipino Community a Personal Parish, on June 18.

1998-
On January 12, Msgr. Manuel Sobreviñas sent another follow up letter. On January 27, by consensus the Chaplain became Vice President of the Municipal Council on Immigration of the Municipal Government of Barcelona. On February 2, a follow up letter was sent by the Chaplain as a reminder and now relating the request to the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence the letter mentioned "Es un momento historico para reconocer y afirmar la Cristianidad que España nos regaló". It was March 5 when Presbyterian Council of the Archdiocese approved the request. Ultimately the gift of the Archbishop of Barcelona was handed to the Filipino Community on July 24, 1998 when he signed the decree making the Filipino Community a Personal Parish. The Community now has juridical and canonical personality, like the rest of the Parishes in Spain. It has been known at the beginning to be Parroquia Personal Filipina and later named as Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepcion y San Lorenzo Ruiz. This is in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary and the First Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.

The Inaugural Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Jaime Traserra Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona and Msgr Manuel Sobreviñas Bishop of Diocese of Imus Cavite, and was concelebrated by the following priests, P. Antonio Quinto, P. Engelberto Gammad, P. Andy Manaoag, P. Wilfredo Dulay,CICM, P. Luke,CICM, P, Laurentino, P. Ramiro,SJ, P. Eusebio Mansilla, P. Antonio Serramona, P. Amador Roig, P. Jose Herrando, P. Joseph Vidal, P. Avelino R. Sapida and P. Conrad N. Amon. And on this Eucharistic celebration that the official assignment of Rev. Father Conrad N. Amon as the first Parish Priest of the Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepcion y San Lorenzo Ruiz was proclaimed.

PASTORAL COUNCIL 2007

The first Election of Officers was held on November 2007 with the following results:

President - Henry Tolentino
Vice-President - Renato Glinoga
Secretary - Sis Melite Abanto
Treasurer - Rebecca Masilang
Internal Auditor - Nico Cueto

WESTYVFa MINISTRIES

Worship- Remy Caringal
Education - Lina Montero
Social Services -
Temporalities - Noel Villamor
Youth – Joseph Adarlo
Vocation – Cora Udani
Family Life - Francis Chua

PRIESTS WHO WERE ASSIGNED IN BARCELONA SPAIN
Chaplaincy
Rev. Father Avelino del Rosario Sapida
Parish
Rev. Father Conrado Nicdao Amon
Rev Father Reuel Dayao Castañeda
Rev. Father Bernie Alejo– incumbent

MISSIONARY CONGREGATIONS

Congregation of Benedictine Missionaries of Tutzing
Congregation of the Good Shepherd
Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation

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