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International singing sensation Father Ray Kelly will perform Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Historic Central Hotel in downtown Burns to benefit HC Save A Stray, a local animal rescue organization.

Father Ray Kelly — pastor of St. Brigids and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Old Castle, County Meath Ireland — will be in Burns Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Historic Central Hotel to perform a benefit concert for HC Save A Stray.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. Local band Generations will open for Father Ray at 6 p.m., and Father Ray is set to take the stage at 6:30 p.m.

There is a suggested donation of $20 upon entrance. Tickets purchased in 2019 will still be honored.

Father Ray is widely known for his adaptation of the song Hallelujah, which he sang for a couple that he was marrying in his parish back in 2014. When the moment was posted on YouTube, Father Ray became an overnight success and is now known as “the singing priest”.

He went on to recorded three albums entitled Where I belong, An Irish Christmas blessing, and his latest album, Hallelujah Day.

Father Ray has performed all over the world and was a semi-finalist on Britain’s got Talent.

His visit to Burns is part of his USA Friendship tour.

HC Save A Stray is an all-volunteer animal rescue in Harney County. The organization has been rescuing the community’s stray, owner released, abandoned, and abused animals for more than 14 years.

Most of the animals are transported to the Redmond, Madras, and Portland areas where they are spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, brought up-to-date on vaccines, and then put up for adoption. The volunteers advocate and assist in ongoing Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) efforts for feral cats all over the county to stop the suffering of unwanted kittens being born in the wild.

Save A Stray also conducts monthly spay/neuter clinics for locally owned pets, thanks to Dr. Katy and Sage County Veterinarian Service.

All proceeds donated to rescue efforts are used to care for the animals and help them find homes.

Save a Stray would like to thank everyone who helped in any way during the last 14 years — including those who provided monetary, food, and supply donations as well as those who fostered and transported animals.

Please plan to attend the concert on Tuesday, Sept. 20 and welcome Father Ray to Burns. This is sure to be a special evening for a great cause.

The event will conclude with refreshments and a fire pit in the hotel’s courtyard.

For questions or additional information, please call Angie at 541-589-2289 or email angtiller@yahoo.com.