We worship in the recently renovated chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Nossa Senhora de Encarnação), high on the cliffs above Carvoeiro - a unique modern sanctuary which is truly inspiring.

Set up in 2018 as a support network for non-Portuguese parishioners and a means of spreading information about local Catholic masses and events, our community is made up of full-time and part-time residents as well as a large number of visitors throughout the year. Our language of communication is English, but we care for speakers of all languages: French, Swedish, Polish, etc.

Masses are held every Saturday evening at 5.30 pm in Portuguese and English. In addition, once a month, we hold a Mass entirely in English, with singing, on the third Sunday at 4 pm (next Mass Sunday 19 October).

Our Pastor is the parish priest, Padre Nuno Coelho. Padre Nuno sees himself as the Good Shepherd who tends and feeds the sheep of his flock. He has been extremely supportive and nurturing of the needs of our group and has assured us that there will always be a Mass in English on Christmas Eve and on Easter Sunday. These important celebrations are extremely well attended.

Our group is active in many other ways. We have permanent collections of food and funds for the CARITAS Lagoa Foodbank. We organise CAROLS ON THE CLIFFS, a free community singing event on the last Thursday before Christmas (this year 18 December 2025), which attracts over 600 people from all over the Algarve. This event fundraises for the Portimão Girls’ Home and the Lagoa Foodbank.

Also, we participate in the LAPARMEX* Parish Open Day (this year, 11 October 2025) and other parish social events to encourage inclusion and mingling of the communities.

If you are interested in any of our Masses and events or would like more information, please contact Madeleine Wheare at carvoeirocatholics@gmail.com or on +351 964 933 823.

* LAPARMEX = Lagoa, Parchal, and Mexilhoeira de Carregação triple parish