About Cristo Rey · Lincoln, Nebraska
Cristo Rey (La Parroquia Cristo Rey) is the Spanish-language Catholic parish serving the Hispanic community of Lincoln, Nebraska, in the Diocese of Lincoln. Its mission is to form missionary disciples of Jesus Christ and to walk together as a family toward the house of the Lord. The current church was dedicated in 2003 at 4221 J Street, near 42nd and J streets in the heart of Lincoln, and it gathers families originally from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela and beyond into a single bilingual-and-bicultural community of faith. Father Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes serves as pastor with Father Dominic Winter as parochial vicar, supported by the Passionist Sisters and an active lay leadership.
- Patron
- Cristo Rey (Christ the King)
- Rector
- Rev. Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes (Padre Rafael Rodriguez)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln (Catholic Diocese of Lincoln)
Why belong here
Cristo Rey is a warm, multicultural Hispanic parish where families from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela and other countries come together as one community of faith. Weekday and weekend Masses are celebrated entirely in Spanish, with daily Mass Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM and 7 PM, a Saturday Vigil at 7 PM, and five Sunday Masses (7:30, 9:30, 12:00, 2:00 and 5:30 PM). The parish offers a remarkable range of parish life — five choirs plus a children's choir, Matachines dancers, Guadalupanos, Caballeros de Colón, Renovados en el Espíritu Santo, Comunidad María Mediadora, youth group (Jóvenes Unidos en Cristo), Bible study, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, Nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration, healing workshops for women, and free sewing classes — so there is a real place for every member of the family.
Mass times at Cristo Rey
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday — 30 minutes before the 7:00 PM Vigil Mass (6:30 PM)
- Sunday — 30 minutes before each Mass (Media hora antes de las misas dominicales)
- By appointment during the week — contact the priests directly to schedule (Por cita durante la semana, comunícate directamente con los padres para agendar cita)
- Thursdays during the Holy Hour of Adoration, 7:30–8:30 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday — Holy Hour / Hora Santa, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM (with confessions available during the hour)
- Saturday — 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon)
- Fourth Saturday of each month — Nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration, beginning at 8:00 PM Saturday and concluding at 7:00 AM Sunday (Adoración nocturna el 4to sábado de cada mes, 8:00 pm a 7:00 am)
About Cristo Rey Parish
Cristo Rey is the Spanish-language Catholic parish of Lincoln, Nebraska. According to the parish's own mission statement, it serves all Spanish-speaking Catholics in the city and exists to form missionary disciples of Jesus Christ who walk together as a family to the house of the Lord. The community brings together faithful originally from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela and other countries, so that the Eucharist is celebrated with deep devotion and parish life is shaped by many Latino traditions at once. The parish is part of the Diocese of Lincoln and is led by Father Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes as pastor, with Father Dominic Winter as parochial vicar and a lay Pastoral Council.
- Parish identity: La Parroquia Católica Hispana de Lincoln, Nebraska
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Lincoln (Deanery of Lincoln)
- Mission: 'Formar discípulos misioneros de Jesucristo y caminar juntos como familia a la casa del Señor.'
History and Patron: Cristo Rey (Christ the King)
Cristo Rey has been a presence for Spanish-speaking Catholics in Lincoln for decades. The current church building at 42nd and J Street was dedicated in 2003. The parish has been served by the Passionist Sisters — among them the late Sisters Maria Rea and Virgencita — and by a succession of pastors including Father John Keefe and Father Ramon Decaen, whose photographs are honored each year on the parish's Día de los Muertos altar. The feast of the parish's patron, Christ the King, is celebrated with an all-night Eucharistic vigil, 'las mañanitas' sung at dawn with a mariachi, the Matachines dance, and piñatas for the children.
- Patron: Cristo Rey (Christ the King)
- Feast: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (last Sunday of the liturgical year)
- Current church dedicated: 2003
- Pastors named on parish communications: Father John Keefe, Father Ramon Decaen, Father Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Father Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes (Párroco) and Father Dominic Winter (Vicario / Parochial Vicar). Two Passionist Sisters serve on staff: Hermana Soco Ruiz, who coordinates RCIA/OICA, marriage preparation, quinceañeras and the Niñas de la Eucaristía, and Hermana Rosa Maria Flores, who coordinates ministry to the sick, the formation of catechesis parents, and the scheduling of baptisms. The lay staff includes Mrs. Ana Pelayo as secretary, Mrs. Magdalena Lara as receptionist in the evenings, and Mrs. Melania Izquierdo as director of catechesis.
- Pastor: Padre Rafael Rodriguez (Rev. Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes)
- Parochial Vicar: Padre Dominic Winter
- Hermana Soco Ruiz (RCIA, marriage, quinceañeras)
- Hermana Rosa Maria Flores (visiting the sick, baptism coordination)
- Sra. Ana Pelayo — Secretaria (Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–2:00 PM)
- Sra. Magdalena Lara — Recepcionista (Mon–Fri 5:00–8:00 PM)
- Sra. Melania Izquierdo — Directora de la Catequesis
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Cristo Rey's faith formation program is directed by Sra. Melania Izquierdo and includes catechesis for children (Wednesdays and Saturdays during the school year, with registration beginning in 1st grade) and the RICA / OICA process for adults and adolescents who need Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or who wish to enter the Catholic Church. The RICA program begins in September each year and is coordinated by Hermana Soco. Marriage preparation, quinceañeras and baptisms are also arranged through the parish office and the sisters listed above.
- Catequesis (children's religious education): Wednesdays and Saturdays during the school year; office Ext. 7
- RICA / OICA (RCIA for adults/adolescents): contact Hermana Soco at 402-418-4988
- Baptism, Marriage and Quinceañera preparation coordinated through the sisters
Parish Groups and Ministries
Cristo Rey's parish life is organized around a dozen active groups that give every age and state of life a place to belong. The Pastoral Council advises the pastor; the youth group (Jóvenes Unidos en Cristo) welcomes 6th–12th graders; the Guadalupanos gather on Fridays; the Caballeros de Colón meet for Ignatian and Divine Will spirituality; Renovados en el Espíritu Santo prays in charismatic praise on Sundays; Comunidad María Mediadora is a further lay community; the Matachines de Cristo Rey perform the traditional battle dance of Christ the King; the Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul works to help the poorest of the parish; Talleres para Mujeres offer healing workshops for women 30 and older; free sewing classes (Clases de Costura) are offered Tuesdays at noon; and Bible study meets Wednesdays at 6:15 PM with Hermana Soco.
- Consejo Pastoral (Pastoral Council)
- Jóvenes Unidos en Cristo — youth group, biweekly Mondays 7:00 PM
- Guadalupanos — Fridays
- Caballeros de Colón — Mon 7:30 PM or Sun 6:30 PM
- Renovados en el Espíritu Santo — Sundays 3:00–5:00 PM
- Comunidad María Mediadora
- Matachines de Cristo Rey (traditional dance)
- Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul (charitable outreach)
- Talleres para Mujeres (healing workshops for women 30+)
- Clases de Costura gratuitas — Tuesdays 12:00 PM
- Bible study — Wednesdays 6:15 PM with Hermana Soco (no classes July/August)
Music Ministry — Coros de Cristo Rey
The parish music ministry is one of the largest in the diocese, with five regular choirs plus a children's choir (Coro de Niños). Members of most of the choirs come together for major feast days such as the Solemnity of Christ the King, when the mariachi also leads the hymns and acclamations at the dawn Mass. Families interested in the children's choir can contact Hermana Rosi; those interested in the adult choirs are invited to ask a choir after Mass to learn how to join.
- Five parish choirs
- Children's choir (Coro de Niños) — contact Hermana Rosi
- Mariachi for the feast of Cristo Rey
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Keefe
Former pastor of Cristo Rey; remembered on the parish Día de los Muertos altar.
- Father Ramon Decaen
Former pastor of Cristo Rey; remembered on the parish Día de los Muertos altar.
- Father Rafael Rodriguez-Fuentes
Current pastor (Párroco); assisted by Father Dominic Winter as parochial vicar.