Fortunately the parish priest, Don Joaquin Carlos Carlos, had the foresight to organise a canopy for the mass and foundation stone laying last Sunday, 27 September 2009. As the thunder and lighting and heavy down pour of torrential rain continued for several hours in the morning, people were anxious about the event. Then the rain stopped, the bishop of Alicante and his representative in Orihuela arrived, followed soon after by the architect, quantity surveyor and representative of the constructor, Jost, having arrived with other dignitaries, the mass started on time, on dry seats.
As is usual in Spain the mass was introduced by a member of the parish, Myriam Profiti, as the occasion for laying the foundation stone of an ecumenical temple at which all Christian religious people could worship. The mass was said by Bishop Rafael, his representative, the parish priest and five other priests, including one from England who read the gospel. An orthodox priest came as soon as his own duties were completed. The timing of the event precluded many other clergy attending, as they had done the year before at the launch of the ecumenical temple. However there were a number of other Christian faiths in the congregation.
After mass, which included both Spanish and English readers, the foundation stone was laid by the bishop. The construction company had levelled the ground used for the chairs and canopy area but the rough ground and the rain made it a muddy experience for those who flocked to see the bishop laying the stone. |