Luxembourg Fest Mass & Pageantry
Sunday, August 09, 2026
Community Park – 106 Beech Street, Belgium, WI
All are welcome to attend our traditional Luxembourg Fest mass.
Schedule of Events:
10 am: Mass
Immediately following Mass: The 2026 Fest Pageantries, crowning the Fest Duke and Duchess, Chris & Lisa Plier.
Lunch will be available for purchase after pageantries.
Meet the 2026 Luxembourg Fest Duke & Duchess:
Chris & Lisa Plier from Belgium, Wisconsin
“We moved to the Village of Belgium 25 years ago where we raised our two daughters Rebecca and Jennifer. Our Luxembourg roots are connected through three family names. The Plier family on Chris’s side and on Lisa’s Fathers side (Biever) and Lisa’s Mothers side (Weiland). Both families on Lisa’s side have a drawer at the LACS and her grandparents Alfred and Elenor Weiland have their wedding picture displayed on the Luxembourg American Family Tree / Sculpture. We first got involved with the LACS when applying for our dual citizenships. After much work, research and help from the LACS team we were able to get dual citizenship for both of us, both of our children, my Father (Marc Plier), my brother (Andrew Plier) and both of his young daughters. I (Chris) am also involved with the local community currently serving on the village board as a trustee as well as the village planning commission.”
Presiding Over Mass:
Abbot Joel Rippinger, Order of St. Benedict
Sunday’s Catholic Mass will be presided over by Abbot Joel Rippinger from Aurora, Illinois. Abbot is a term derived from the word “abba” (Hebrew for “father”), given to the head of an abbey of monks. Father Rippinger has served over the monks of Marmion Abbey since 1968.
Father Rippinger has a Luxembourg lineage from his father’s side. His grandmother’s maiden name was Schirez, and her parents emigrated from Luxembourg in the 1880s. His grandfather’s parents immigrated here in the 1870s. He was able to stay with relatives in Luxembourg when he was studying in Rome in the ’70s, and says he “really found I loved the country and felt a genuine sense of being home… It registers in your soul,” he adds.
Father Rippinger visited the LACS in Belgium back when it was first started and served as the presiding minister for Luxembourg Fest a few years ago. He is looking forward to joining us again this year.
Since the very first Luxembourg Fest in 1987 Luxembourgish Families have celebrated and honored their heritage together. Known as the Largest Luxembourg Family Reunion, this festival has brought together honored families from the US, Luxembourg, and beyond. This year we take a look down memory lane and commemorate 40 years of honored families. Is your last name on the list below? Join us at this year’s festival to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Largest Luxembourg Family Reunion!
Click below to see all Luxembourg Fest Week events!
Questions? Contact the LACS Office at info@lacs.lu or 262-476-5086.