Diocese of Knoxville takes active role in prayer service for Hispanic families
By Blanca Primm and Viridiana Marin
On Dec. 1, people of faith gathered at St. Andrews Center in Chattanooga to bear witness to a truth at the heart of the Gospel: families are sacred, and no person is beyond the reach of God’s love.
This ecumenical vigil—“United in Faith and Solidarity: A Prayer Vigil for Separated Families”—brought together faith leaders and community members across traditions to pray, accompany, and stand in hope with immigrant families facing separation, fear, and uncertainty.
The vigil was organized by Comité Caminos, a committee of the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugees’ Rights Coalition
(TIRRC) in collaboration with local faith leaders.
Rooted in faith, family, and community, the gathering reflected the richness of God’s people: different languages, cultures, and religious traditions standing side by side. In a world often marked by division, the vigil became a living sign of unity and compassion.
Father Alex Waraksa, associate pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga, helps lead the ecumenical prayer vigil in support of the Hispanic community in East Tennessee. (Photo courtesy Blanca Primm)
The evening intentionally created space for both grief and hope. Community members courageously shared testimonies that revealed the daily realities faced by many immigrant families: the pain of separation, the anxiety of living under constant threat, and the deep wounds inflicted when loved ones are taken from their homes.
Among the most powerful moments was the testimony of a child whose father was taken away. It was compiled by a faith leader, whose words reminded all present that immigration policies are not abstract debates but lived experiences that shape childhood, family life, and the future.
Listening to this testimony became an act of reverence—an encounter with Christ Himself.
“For me, my first encounter with it was a phone call from the child that was filled with sobs, confusion, and chaos. It left the kids in a complicated situation, mourning for their father who hasn’t died but was out of reach,” said Alejandra Guajardo, who is with House of Refuge in Cleveland.
“Any contact with their father included rushed phone calls to try to keep track of his location before his deportation, since he was being moved around so much, and to figure out what to do with the pieces that were left behind,” Ms. Guajardo said. “The phone calls were cut off too soon, leaving the kids in distress. We’d go to the apartment and bag up items on a few occasions shortly after his detainment.
“The kids went through their dad’s stuff and their own as if we just went through a funeral. It’s a death of life as they knew it with an unclear future. And I wish I could say things got better for these kiddos, but unfortunately, this is not the case. They are deeply struggling and long for the days they had when they lived with their father.”
Faith leaders stood together in moral witness, affirming the dignity of every family and the need for due process for all. Drawing from their respective traditions, each leader offered a brief reflection following the testimonies, underscoring a shared commitment to justice, mercy, and accompaniment.
Father Alex Waraksa, associate pastor of St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga, was the Catholic representative for the vigil. He read part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter to immigrants.
Father Jim Vick, dean of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Chattanooga deanery and pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Dayton, played an important role in coordinating participation of the clergy.
In addition to Father Waraksa, Father Michael Nolan, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland, and Father Mike Creson, who is retired from active ministry in the diocese, also attended.
Representing the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul was Sister Ema Soto, MAG. From Knoxville, Blanca Primm, diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry, and Rocio Melendez, also from the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, were in attendance, too.
Diocese of Knoxville priests Father Mike Nolan, Father Alex Waraksa, and Father Mike Creson, meet other faith leaders and coordinate with Viridiana Marin of the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugees’ Rights Coalition (TIRCC) prior to the start of the Dec. 1 prayer vigil. (Photo courtesy Blanca Primm)
“Gathering in the basement worship space of St. Andrews Center with the 80-plus in attendance had the feel of being part of an underground movement finding its voice to stand in solidarity with those in our parishes, neighborhoods, and communities who live in fear of being detained, separated from their family, and being deported,” Father Nolan said.
“Our prayer moves us to speak out and work for meaningful immigration reform and against indiscriminate mass deportations. I’m grateful for the priests able to attend and pray that more will be able to join in future gatherings. Even a single Catholic priest in clerical attire can represent so much more to those in need of prayer, hope, and reassurance of God’s love for all made in His image and worthy of dignity, respect, and humane treatment,” Father Nolan added when asked what the vigil meant to him.
For Catholics, this witness resonates deeply with the teachings of the Church. The USCCB has consistently affirmed that the dignity of the human person does not depend on legal status and that the separation of families is a grave moral concern.
Catholic social teaching calls on the faithful to protect family unity, uphold the sanctity of life, and ensure that laws serve the common good while respecting human rights. Father Waraksa shared some insights as he ministers to the Hispanic community in East Tennessee.
“As Catholics, we are a minority in East Tennessee, yet among members of the Hispanic community Catholics are a majority. It is good for other churches to see that as Catholics in the USA we come from many different countries from all over the world and our Catholic faith unites us,” he said.
“I feel sad that simple daily actions such as driving one’s car or bringing children to school or church or shopping can bring risks to the unity of families. I see families who sometimes fear coming to church. I see families who are not sure who they can trust regarding how they might be judged for the color of their skin or for the language that they speak or how they might speak English with an accent. Some of the same situations Catholics experienced in past centuries in coming to the USA are being repeated today. I see that perhaps people’s views on immigration are being formed more by public opinion or views rather than the Gospel or the Church’s social teachings.”
The vigil continued with an interfaith prayer led by Ms. Guajardo followed by a moment of silence. Vigil participants were invited to pray in their own way, honoring the diverse expressions of faith present while they remained united in purpose.
Candles were lit as a symbol of the light of hope that all are called to share in their lives as the vigil participants prayed:
“You know our community, Lord. You know the families living in separation, the neighbors missing from our streets, the fear that tries to settle into our homes. We bring this sorrow into your light, trusting that You hold every one of our burdens with tenderness… Almighty God, strengthen us to stand against every form of injustice: the systems that wound, the policies that divide, the silence that allows suffering to continue. Shape us into people who practice justice and compassion with courage.”
The faith leaders who participated in the ecumenical vigil were Rev. April Berends (Episcopal), Rev. Katharine Toledano (United Church of Christ), Rev. Candace Worth (Presbyterian-PCUSA), Father Alex Waraksa (St. Jude Catholic Church), Rev. Harrison West (Episcopal), Pastor Joel Bamaca (Evangelical), Pastor Darwin Barrera (Iglesia Jesus Rey de Reyes) and Christopher Heintz (Ordinand Episcopal Church, faith caucus leader).
Catholic priests, religious, and laity join Chattanooga faith leaders and organizers of the ecumenical prayer vigil for immigrant families facing separation. The prayer vigil was on Dec. 1 at St. Andrews Center in Chattanooga. (Photo courtesy Blanca Primm)
“It was powerful to see so many faith leaders across different denominations and cultures, all united by God’s love and solidarity with our immigrant community members. The vigil was a place to share stories, grieve, lament, and remind one another that we are not alone. God sees us and is with us. And He is giving us the courage to make a home that welcomes all of us” said Mr. Heintz, who also is a member of Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence (CALEB) in Chattanooga.
The closing remarks were offered by Viridiana Marin, TIRRC community organizer.
“The testimonies we heard today make it clear that family separation doesn’t just happen, it’s fueled by programs like 287(g), which allow state and local law enforcement to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stripping people of dignity and due process.
“Yet the evening did not end in despair. For Catholics, we have a call. Jesus Himself was a refugee as a child, fleeing violence with Mary and Joseph. To stand with immigrant families today is to walk in His footsteps. As the USCCB reminds us, welcoming the stranger and protecting the vulnerable are not optional acts of charity but essential expressions of our faith,” Ms. Marin said.
United in faith and solidarity, the vigil participants trust that hope—rooted in Christ—will continue to rise among His people.