West Bend, Wi – The Holy Angels Church bulletin had a post this past weekend as administration raved about this year’s Festival of Angels, how much money was raised, and “While the Festival is an important fundraiser for Holy Angels, it is about so much more than the dollars raised. It brings our parish and community together and provides a welcoming, safe and family-friendly event for everyone to enjoy.”
The next page of the bulletin relayed a different message under the title, “Goodbye Festival…” The post noted, it will be the final year for the festival committee chairs and if at least two new people don’t commit to take over by January 2027, “the Holy Angels Festival will not continue in 2028.”
Rev. Russ Arendt responded. “Unfortunately the headline in our bulletin is a bit more dramatic, than the facts on the ground.We do need more leadership, but we have significant more time to recruit that leadership. I will say this, the festival being in dangeris not remotely close to the impression the article gave.”
On a side note:
-Financials from the festival were also released in Sunday’s bulletin. Festival Proceeds
2025: Total Revenue: $118,776 Net Proceeds: $56,780 Margin: 48%
2026: Total Revenue: $116,405 Net Proceeds: $61,079 Margin: 52%
-The festival chairs this year were Sandy Lang and Scott Helnes
