Advent at SRN

Liturgical Schedule

Daily Mass: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:00 a.m.

Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary; no Eucharistic Adoration

First Saturday Mass: Saturday, December 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Weekend Mass: Saturday at 4:30 p.m.; Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Tuesday, December 8: 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Nursery will be open during the 7:00 p.m. Mass. We are happy to welcome your little ones age four and under! For more information, visit our Nursery web page.

CELEBRATE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) WITH US!

Christmas Eve Masses

Thursday, December 24:
4:00 p.m.* (NO INCENSE USED)
7:00 p.m.** (Note time change from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. this year, see more details below; the Children’s Choirs will sing at 7:00 p.m. Mass)
10:00 p.m.
INCENSE WILL BE USED at the 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Masses.

*Our church neighbor across Ada Drive, Ada Congregational Church, also celebrates a 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service which has the potential to create traffic congestion at the Ada Drive, Fox Hollow intersection in particular. To help with this situation, we’ve put the following plans in place:
OVERFLOW PARKING & SHUTTLES: Parking is available throughout our St. Robert campus. In addition, Ada Christian School, 6206 Ada Dr. (different from Ada Congregational Church), has graciously given us permission to use their parking lot for overflow parking during our 4:00 p.m. Mass. Shuttles will be running from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to transport parishioners and visitors to and from Mass. Please consider parking at Ada Christian School and taking the shuttle.
PARKING GUIDES: Volunteer guides will be present at Ada Christian School and on our St. Robert campus for 4:00 p.m. Mass to help direct guests and keep emergency lanes clear. Please watch for guides wearing reflective vests and defer to their guidance.
SHERIFF’S OFFICERS ON DUTY: To help manage anticipated heavy traffic flow for 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Masses, we have also arranged for Kent County Sheriff’s Officers to be on duty from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Ada Drive in front of our church.

**MASS TIME CHANGE: Please note the time change this year for our second Christmas Eve Mass from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Also, the Children’s Choirs will sing at 7:00 p.m. Mass this year instead of at 4:00 p.m. Mass.

St. Robert parish family, PLEASE CONSIDER: As mentioned above, during 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, our church is often filled to nearly overflowing, at times becoming a safety concern. To help with this situation, please consider attending one of our other Christmas liturgies: 7:00 or 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, or 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day. This might just be the perfect year to start a new tradition, or try something new! Thank you for considering our request.

Christmas Day Mass

Christmas Day Mass:
Friday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Incense will be used.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God:
Thursday, December 31 at 6:30 p.m. and
Friday, January 1 at 10:00 a.m.

BRING UP THE BREAD & WINE AT MASS:
The binder on the table in the narthex between Door D and the baptismal font contains a sign-up sheet for those interested in bringing up the bread and wine to the priest for the Offertory during Mass. The bread and wine are then consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ during the liturgy of the Eucharist.

If you are recently married, celebrating an anniversary or birthday, are new to the parish, or recently graduated, this is a perfect opportunity to give thanksgiving to the Lord and participate in the liturgy! All parishioners are invited to sign up!

Sign up on the sheet in the binder and on the day you’ve signed up for, arrive at least 10 minutes early for Mass and check in with an usher or sacristan to let them know you’re there!

PLEASE NOTE:

• Enter the church through Doors B, C, or D.
• Handicap accessible entrances: Doors B and D.
• Handicap Parking: Lot A and several spots available adjacent to Door D
• The circle drive by Door B & D is available for one-way, drop-off traffic only. No parking allowed.
• The Sanctuary is equipped with an audio induction loop for hearing aids. Please see an usher for assistance.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

ENTRANCES & LOCATION: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the Reconciliation Rooms of the Eucharistic Chapel. Please enter through Door C. A handicap accessible entrance is located at Door D. The circle drive by Door D is open for one-way, drop-off traffic only.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE
Thursday, December 10, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Our Advent Penance Service will begin in the Sanctuary with a brief welcome followed by individual confession throughout our SRN campus. Multiple priests (10-12) in addition to Father Tony will be available that evening to hear confessions. Child care will be available for infants through second grade children from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Staff and other volunteers will be on hand to help welcome and guide parishioners and guests. Printed copies of examinations of conscience for adults and children/teens will be available to help penitents prepare. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Mendenhall, KMendenhall@strobertchurch.org.

WEEKLY RECONCILIATION TIMES DURING ADVENT
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12, and 19: 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

From Dec. 2 to Dec. 23, on each Wednesday and Saturday, two priests, including Father Tony will be available at St. Robert to hear confessions. Confession takes place in the reconciliation rooms of the Eucharistic Chapel (Door C). A handicap accessible entrance is available at Door D.

Eucharistic Adoration

For our weekly Eucharistic Adoration schedule, or to sign up for a regular Holy Hour, click here. Please note, our schedule may be impacted by holiday hours during Christmas and the New Year. If you are unsure, please contact the parish office, (616) 676-9111, or view our Parish Calendar.

New to our parish or visiting?

Whether you’re new to the area, exploring the Catholic faith, or looking for a parish to call home, we warmly welcome you! Our parish is a vibrant, faith-filled community where you and your family can grow in love for God, neighbor and one another.

Join us for Mass, receive the sacraments, engage in prayer, discover our school and find meaningful connections through our ministries and events. Wherever you are on your faith journey, we are here to walk with you.

For more information or to register as a parish member, please visit the I’m New page of our website, or if you’re coming for weekend Mass, stop by the Welcome Desk in the gathering space of the church after any weekend Mass and talk with one of our staff members or volunteers, or contact the parish office, ParishOffice@strobertchurch.org, or (616) 676-9111. We’re happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.

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Living the Season

Calendar

Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving):
Mass at 9:00 a.m. (No Adoration)

November 26:
Parish Office CLOSED

November 27:
Mass at 9:00 a.m. (No Adoration)

November 27:
Parish Office CLOSED

November 29:
First Sunday of Advent

December 1:
Women ALIVE Advent Event, 7:00 p.m. in Newminster Hall (NH)

December 2, 9 & 16:
Christmas Choir Rehearsals, Rm. 303 (Choir Room)
See parish calendar for details

December 5:
First Saturday Mass at 9:00 a.m.

December 6:
Second Sunday of Advent;
First Reconciliation Retreat (2nd graders & parents),
12:30 p.m., Parish Life Center (PLC);
Feast of St. Nicholas;
Christmas Memorials Deadline!

December 8:
Holy Day – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,
Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

December 9:
St. Robert Catholic School Christmas Program,
6:00 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center

December 10:
Advent Penance Service, 6:00-8:00 p.m., begins in the Sanctuary with a brief welcome. Confession will available throughout our campus, 10-12 priests available. See details in the “Sacrament of Reconciliation” section of this page.

December 11:
Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors’ Christmas Potluck,
4:00 p.m., PLC

December 12:
First Reconciliation (2nd graders & parents),
10:00 a.m., Sanctuary;
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 12 & 19:
Saturday Christmas Choir Rehearsals,
9:30 a.m., Rm. 303 (Choir Room)
See parish calendar for details.

December 13:
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday);
Bambinelli Sunday – bring your Baby Jesus figurine to weekend Mass to be blessed by Father Tony

December 13:
Feast of St. Lucy

December 16:
Community Christmas Party,
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in NH

December 18 (half day of school):
CHRISTMAS BREAK BEGINS for St. Robert Catholic School students!
(through Jan. 1)

December 20:
Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24:
Christmas Vigil Masses at 4:00 (NO incense), 7:00,
and 10:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
(Incense will be used at the 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Masses)

December 24:
Parish Office CLOSED

December 25:
Holy Day – Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 a.m.
(Incense will be used)

December 25:
Parish Office CLOSED

December 27:
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

December 28:
Feast of the Holy Innocents

December 31:
Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God,
6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

December 31:
Parish Office CLOSES at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

January 1:
Holy Day – Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God,
10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

January 1:
Parish Office CLOSED

January 3:
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

January 4:
St. Robert Catholic School returns from holiday break

January 10:
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Special Collections

Help beautify our worship space this Christmas season with a donation in memory of a loved one to the Art & Environment fund, which pays for all our campus decorations during holy seasons. Donations are due no later than Sunday, December 6. Donations received by December 6 will be featured in the Christmas bulletin. Click here to make your donation online. Questions? Contact the Parish Office at (616) 676-9111 or email ParishMail@StRobertChurch.org.

Retirement Fund for Religious
Across the United States, hundreds of religious communities lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of aging members. The Retirement Fund for Religious helps care for these members – today and tomorrow. A special collection will be held in support of this fund the weekend of December 12/13. Give to those who have given a lifetime – support this special collection.

Remember the Babies at Christmas
Remember babies and families at Christmas! The SRN Respect Life Committee is holding a collection for parents and children in need served by HELP Pregnancy Aid. Look for the Christmas tree near the cradle in the narthex (starting Nov. 24) trimmed with gift tags identifying HELP’s most needed items for families. Please take one or more tags and return the item(s) to the cradle or place them under the tree by Friday, Dec. 18 with the tag(s) attached. Please do not wrap items. Contact Cheryl Heise with questions at caheise17@gmail.com.