The lighthouse at Formentor, Mallorca

The background shows sidewalk tiles - "rajoles" - that pave the sidewalks throughout Barcelona. They were designed by architect Puig i Cadafalch for the entryway of a home. Since 1915, they have been used by the city to pave sidewalks, and have become emblematic of the city. One of the city's most famous chocolatiers, Enric Rovira, produces chocolate bars in the shape and design of these tiles.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

First Baptism in New Barcelona Stake Center

The new Barcelona Stake Center opened last Sunday; and today we had the first baptism performed in the new building. Hno. Alfonso was baptized by his new friend, Hno. Jorge. Jorge was baptized just two months ago.

Alfonso had had some contact with the missionaries some time ago, but on January 2nd a friend of his brought him to church on Sunday. After church they invited him to come to an open house at the mission home (for recent converts and investigators), and we met him that Sunday afternoon at our home. Over the next three weeks he was taught by Hnas Johns, Fuentes and Culverwell. Hna. Johns completed her mission last week and returned home, so was not able to be here for the baptism, but it was a joyous day for all involved!

Hnas. Culverwell and Fuentes with Alfonso; Jorge is the second from the left.

Standing in front of the font in the new stake center

The stake center itself is a beautiful new building and finally provides us with a good presence in the city of Barcelona. On this particular Saturday night there was a primary activity in the Primary room, a baptismal service in the Relief Society room, and a large group of young single adults playing basketball in the cultural hall (a full court with a wood floor!). The building is being well used just a few days after opening!
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3 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Thank you President for this blog. It is nice to come here when I am homesick.

    It would be neat if the missionaries could visit Dolores Pinillos Goni in Pamplona. Or don't missionaries strengthen the membership since the Barcelona mission expanded?

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  2. Mikayla SkousonJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    That is so great that the Barcelona Stake Center is finally open! And a baptism to boot! Super great! Miss and love you all!

    Mikayla

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  3. Clark B. HinckleyJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Nekane, the Pamplona missionaries are trying to visit Dolores Pinillos Goni but when I talked to them last week had not yet been able to visit with her.

    It is true that since the creation of the Vitoria Stake the role of the missionaries with members has changed. Once a stake is organized, missionaries are able to more fully focus on their primary responsibility to find, teach and baptize worthy converts, and the stake takes full responsibility for stengthening members. The creation of the Vitoria Stake last year was one of the factors that enabled us to consolidate to three missions from four, as the presence of an additional stake resulted in a reduction in the demands on missionaries.

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