Our Lady of Guadalupe: A Beacon for Immigrants in San Diego

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Families of the immigrant community gather outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego.

News Summary

Every Sunday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights hosts a Spanish mass tailored for the immigrant community in San Diego County. This initiative aims to provide solace and community support, especially amid recent policy changes that have heightened anxiety among families facing uncertain immigration statuses. The church serves as a gathering place for many, fostering unity and offering advocacy to combat deportations. Through events like the Mother’s Day breakfast, the church emphasizes its role in providing a safe haven for immigrant families.

San Diego, California – The first Catholic mass in San Diego County, aimed particularly at the immigrant community, takes place every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights. Conducted in Spanish, the mass serves primarily the Latino population and other families encountering the challenges associated with immigration status.

In an effort to foster community and support among the congregation, the church recently hosted a Mother’s Day breakfast. This event allowed families to come together and build connections, further emphasizing the church’s role as a gathering place for those facing uncertainty around immigration issues. This initiative comes after recent policy changes that have resulted in heightened anxiety among immigrant families.

Many parishioners, especially those with mixed-status families, find solace in the supportive atmosphere of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church, which has been referred to as the “immigrant church” by its clergy, is home to families where many parents are undocumented while their children are U.S. citizens. Such situations highlight the urgency and relevance of the church’s mission.

At the forefront of community concerns is the policy change initiated by former President Trump, who, in January 2021, issued an executive order that revoked protections for religious institutions, schools, and health centers from immigration enforcement actions. As a result of this policy, fears have escalated among Catholic immigrants nationwide, with some reporting direct instances of deportation. Disturbingly, one parishioner from Our Lady of Guadalupe has already faced deportation due to these changes, showcasing the real-life impacts of such policies.

The lead pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Father Scott Santarosa, emphasizes the critical need for places of refuge in the community. He asserts that local churches, hospitals, and schools should serve as safe havens for immigrants seeking security and support. The church plays an essential role not just in spiritual guidance, but as a place where families can come together without fear.

To further their advocacy, Father Santarosa and the church have allied with a national legal complaint filed in federal court against the Trump Administration. This legal action is driven by West Coast churches campaigning against mass deportations and raids occurring in sensitive environments, which they believe jeopardize the safety and well-being of immigrant families.

In light of these ongoing legal battles, Our Lady of Guadalupe encourages its congregation to maintain hope and engage in prayer as they navigate these turbulent times. Many parishioners are united in their commitment to preserve their faith and stand in solidarity with one another, despite the challenges they face.

Members of the community, such as Eva Casillas and her boyfriend, Stan Bialecki, exemplify the resilience and dedication to faith present within the church. Both individuals have found inspiration through the church and recently elected Pope Leo XIV, whose approach resonates with their experiences and struggles. Casillas feels a deep connection to the Pope and believes in his understanding of the immigrant community. Bialecki, who underwent a life-saving heart transplant in 2021, shares how his personal spiritual awakening led him back to the church. His surgeon’s words of encouragement about faith and divine intervention have left a lasting impression on him.

As the masses continue every Sunday, they not only serve as religious gatherings but as vital lifelines for many immigrants in San Diego County, fostering unity, support, and hope during increasingly uncertain times.