A vibrant, charismatic mission begins a new era as a parish with its first pastor

By Linda Reeves - The Florida Catholic Palm Beach

Photography: LINDA REEVES | FC

POMPANO BEACH | In a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry, Archbishop Thomas Wenski elevated San Isidro Mission in Pompano Beach to a parish and named Father Wilfredo Contreras inaugural pastor.

“I am very happy to be here today,” said Archbishop Wenski during a special bilingual Mass March 30, 2025, with official ceremonies, grand music, liturgical dancers, the Knights of Columbus in full regalia and nearly 900 people filling the church that was standing-room only.

Speaking in Spanish, Archbishop Wenski expressed his delight to be part of the day which turns a page in the history books for the mission that began a half century ago to serve migrant farm workers.

Representatives from various ministries of the mission were present, displaying their ministry banners and wearing special attire.

During the ceremony, the archbishop read selections from a formal decree as part of the process transforming the mission to a canonical parish.

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski assured that the mission for the most part remains the same but will become more established for the spiritual family of more than 1,800 faithful.

“At the beginning of Mass, I officially “upgraded” the status of San Isidro from that of a “mission” to a “parish.” In a sense, nothing much changes. You still have to pay your bills. Sometimes, the word “mission” implies something temporary, also sometimes, it also implies some dependency, that the mission needs outside help in order to make a go of things. So, naming San Isidro a parish recognizes that after many years it has reached a certain level of maturity, that it can survive without subsidies, and more importantly, it is here to stay,” he said.

Archbishop Wenski announced that leadership also remains the same. “Since San Isidro is now a parish, I will formally install Father Contreras as pastor,” he said.

“He has been here awhile. Now as pastor, he has the same responsibilities, but now that I am naming him pastor, he gets the key,” said Archbishop Wenski good-humoredly.

“Love your people,” he said. “Love them with a shepherd’s heart. Teach them gently – by word and example.”

“He will serve you well,” said archbishop Wenski and claps went up. Some people stood and cheered.

FIRST PASTOR OF SAN ISIDRO PARISH

Clergy from the Archdiocese of Miami participate in the Mass and show their support for Father Contreras on the big day.

He has been at the parish in northeast Broward since 2017. He describes San Isidro and its people as “vibrant, charismatic” and deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother.

The parish is very active, with 1,800 parishioners, most of whom are Hispanic immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries. A small number of English-speakers also make up the community.

What does he think about the mission's turning point and his new appointment? "I am humbled by this fact. My community and I worked so hard to make this a reality for the parish.”

He reflected on the Great Recession, which began in 2007 and created years of hardship. When the economy was bad, “San Isidro earmarked as one of several parishes for closure. With time, patience, all that has changed under the leadership of Archbishop Wenski and Sister Elizabeth Worley," he said, thanking archbishop and St. Joseph Sister Worley, chancellor for administration and chief operating officer of the Archdiocese of Miami.

“With the archdiocese’s help and with many stewardship campaigns, along with the grace of God Almighty, we turned this church around.”

AN EXPANDING MINISTRY

Over the last few years, mission membership has grown along with ministries. Today, the new parish has prayer groups, outreach, education and volunteer opportunities for children, teens, young and older adults.

Karla Sanchez, chairperson of the pastoral council, grew up at the mission, received her sacraments there, married her husband, and is now raising and involving her children baptized there.

She says that San Isidro’s mission established to serve migrant farm workers continues to serve hardworking families and their children. The people of the parish currently have jobs in lawn care, building maintenance, construction, business ownership, accounting, and nursing.

“This year we have 213 children in religious education,” she said. “A total of 75 children are in the altar server program, and we have a youth group for teens and a young adult ministry.”

Whithout doubt, San Isidro Mission has touched lives and helped people grow in faith and join a united Christian family over the years. Some of its members have made it their home away from home.

At the March 30 Mass, many people arrived early to help with the preparations for the special day.

“I was born in Honduras,” said Mary Maldonado, who grew up in the mission, married her Salvadoran husband, Wilbur, and is raising her three children involving them in ministry and church service at a young age.

“San Isidro means everything to me,” said Maldonado. A member of the mission’s school of evangelization, she says that San Isidro is like a second home, where she has met many friends and continues to grow in her faith and try to pass it on to others.

Catherine Hernandez, 24, also grew up in the mission, where she received her sacraments and has been active and involved in ministry ever since she can remember. She is co-leader of the liturgical dance team, Neeve Cha Reem, and a member of the young adult ministry that began a year ago.

“I love San Isidro,” she said. “I spend a great deal of time here. I have been dancing with the team for 10 years. I have a lot of friends here.”

Rosie Segelia began coming to the mission when she moved to Florida from the Dominican Republic. She is actively involved in religious education, serves as a lector and helps out wherever she is needed. “I came to the mission in 1996,” she said. “It is my spiritual home.”

 

LOOKING BACK

In the early days, agriculture was a major part of the Pompano Beach area. Migrant families harvested the crops and lived in camps developed for them.

In the 1960s, Spanish priest Jose Moreno, an assistant pastor at St. Vincent Parish in Margate was among the first priests to visit the workers and care for their spiritual needs. He spent hours every week visiting the people and celebrating Mass in a run-down schoolhouse that collapsed eventually.

Father Moreno returned to Spain and Father John McMahon arrived in 1969 as Rural Life Bureau director. He visited and celebrated Masses wherever there was space, and the faithful continued to grow regardless of the building.

In 1970, San Isidro Mission was officially established, and Father Jeremiah Singleton was appointed administrator.

In 1975 Father Bernard Kirlin became the next administrator, and it was decided to make the mission permanent for the 15 to 20 active and devoted Mexican and Puerto Rican families.

The faithful continued to gather in different places, including the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pompano Beach, in a bowling alley at local host parishes. Religious education for children began.

Seeing the need, the archdiocese purchased three acres of land near the labor camp and moved a wooden house onto it. This became the church property. The building was used for a rectory and Saturday evening Masses.

A donation of $50,000 by Carl Koch, a parishioner of Assumption Parish in Lauderdale by the Sea, matched by the archdiocese, made the construction of the church possible.

The migrant workers volunteered to help wherever needed as the construction of a multi-purpose facility began.

The first church and parish hall were dedicated in 1975 under Father Bernard Kirlin administration and Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll christened the mission church under the patron saint of farmers and laborers, St. Isidore.

The new church was dedicated on December 12, 1984, by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy.

Since then, 55 years later, the flock has grown significantly under the spiritual guidance of their priests, including Father Ricardo Castellanos, Father Miguel Gomez, and now Father Contreras.

“We are currently working on an altar renovation project which we hope to complete by the end of the summer,” said Father Contreras about plans to renovate the altar and make San Isidro an even more beautiful home for worship and praise to God and to build up the spirit of community.