LINCOLN (SNR) – The annual Kermes festival held by Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln each summer has been postponed due to COVID-19 – again.
Pastor Father Ramon Decaen said the pandemic has affected people and institutions in different ways, and some have been hit harder than others.
“This is the case for my parish,” he said. He explained that Cristo Rey is a parish made up largely of immigrants.
“The members of our parish were some of the first to get hit by COVID-19 this past winter,” he said. “People were out of work and unable to leave their houses.”
Cristo Rey Parish brought food and helped them out financially, even though the weekly collection was a fraction of what it was before the pandemic. He said some weeks, the parish collection was only 25% of the normal weekly income, yet the parish still needs to make monthly payments on the building.
The annual summer fair, which has been postponed twice already, is now scheduled for Sept. 27. Whether or not the festival is held, the parish will move forward with the annual raffle to raise funds.
“I am asking for your help,” Father Decaen posted on Facebook July 17. “Please pray for us. I also ask you to consider buying raffle tickets for our annual festival. The grand prize is $10,000!”
The raffle includes other cash prizes as well, and the profits go to pay the debt on the building, funding Catholics schools, and general budget items.
Tickets are $20 each. Payment may be sent to Cristo Rey Church, 4245 J St., Lincoln, NE 68510, and ticket stubs will be sent in return mail. Winners need not be present to win.With questions, please call 402-937-5103.
