Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Those who have been separated from their families due to immigration often feel isolated, according to Father Silvio J. Fonseca Martinez. He spoke during a special liturgy of Spiritual Accompaniment for Separated Families, held on August 30 at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Louisville.

More than 50 people attended the bilingual service, including families with children. Father Fonseca Martinez, associate pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Jamestown and Good Shepherd and Holy Redeemer churches in Greensburg, addressed the congregation about the challenges faced by those separated from loved ones.

“We feel like we are in another world. We hear a different language, and sometimes we are even rejected by our own patriots and those who may consider us invaders of their country,” said Father Fonseca Martinez.

He delivered his homily in Spanish, focusing on the pain experienced by those separated from family members. Deacon Stephen Bowling provided an English translation after the homily.

“With immigration, whether voluntary or forced, the human being feels stripped in the depths of his being — of the very nature of a person, of his loved ones, of his customs, and of the land where he was born.”

Father Fonseca Martinez explained that faith can help individuals see this experience as part of their “story of salvation.”

“At the same time that we ask God, ‘Why are we living in this drama?’ we invoke his comfort and protection,” he said.

He also noted that God offers support through community: “God has given to us all a new family in which we are called to be in solidarity,” which gives us “hope — to live and to look towards the future,” he said.

Many attendees came to show support for families affected by separation due to immigration or other circumstances. Beth Rodriguez, a high school student from St. Peter the Apostle parish, attended with other youth members to support those facing separation.

“We wanted to give support to others who were separated from their own family,” she said after Mass.

Araceli Cortes from St. Rita Church also attended out of solidarity. She expressed gratitude for having her four children at home and brought her nine-year-old son with her.

“I was explaining to him [her son] that not everybody has a family like this,” she said. “There’s people that need our help and need comfort and need a family.”

Cortes was interested in hearing about Father Fonseca Martinez’s experience with religious persecution. After Mass, he shared details about being arrested while serving at Santa Faz Church in Managua following Mass in December 2023. He spent two weeks in maximum security prison before being exiled along with other clergy members from Nicaragua early this year; his immediate family remains there.