INSIDE THIS EDITION: - Seniors savor “A Day at the Beach” Aug. 8 – Thank you St. Robert parish family!
- Celebrating 75 years of faith and community – Preview of our parish anniversary festivities & invitation to join the planning committee
- Life Teen/Six Flags High School Road Trip in September – Register your teen today!
- Back to School – Meet the Teachers!
- Upcoming Events
- Parish Life in Pictures
- Things to Know Before You Go
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Seniors savor a “Day at the Beach”
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Dear St. Robert Parishioners,
The Senior Citizen Picnic committee would like to thank each and every one of our church and school families for the time, talent and treasure that each of you brought to support a VERY successful picnic on Aug. 8.
Our guests had a lovely day of faith, fellowship, food and fun! We received many grateful comments on the kindness and joy that they encountered throughout the afternoon. Volunteers of all ages made the day special in countless ways. Many thanks go out to our donors, who were incredibly generous, and without whom we would not be able to achieve such great success. Our guests were awestruck. Many look forward to our picnic as the highlight of their summer.
We always receive very kind thank you notes from guests, healthcare aides, bus drivers and chaperones. Dear parishioners, you make all this possible and spread the joy of Christ’s love to people who are frequently marginalized. Let’s continue this meaningful community event for many more years!
With deep respect and gratitude,
The Senior Citizen Picnic Committee: Dawn McDonald, Anna Crawley, Nancy Castiglione, Cindy Ritter, Mindy Lee and Vicki Freund
To see the full album of photos from this special event, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD26e (Flickr).
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Celebrating 75 years of faith and community
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”The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!”
Ps. 126:3
For nearly three-quarters of a century, St. Robert of Newminster Parish has stood as a vibrant pillar of faith, community, and service in Ada. The origins of our parish go back to Nov. 15, 1951, when the very first Mass was celebrated inside Kennedy’s restaurant (pictured), an eatery on Fulton St. near the Grand River bridge. Now, looking ahead to Nov. 15, 2026, we are excited for the celebration of our 75th anniversary!
Eight months to celebrate 75 years Formed over the past several months, our 75th anniversary committee made up of staff and parishioner volunteers, has been meeting monthly to help plan the festivities for our 75th. Instead of just a one-day event, we are planning an eight-month celebration beginning this year on the weekend of November 14-15 and culminating with the return of our parish picnic in June 2027.
Each month leading up to the parish picnic, parishioners are invited to help our history come alive by engaging in fun and interesting activities, events, and displays, including:
- Our first annual SRN/SRCS Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 14 in the Parish Activity Center
- The Jewels & Jubilee Gala on Nov. 21 at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining
- A Lenten Parish Mission in February 2027 led by the “cooking priest” Father Leo Patalinghug of Plating Grace.
- A 75th Anniversary Concert on June 4, 2027 featuring a commissioned choral piece honoring the life of St. Robert of Newminster and Illuminare, a celebration of sacred light.
The committee is also planning a parish scavenger hunt, a special St. Robert prayer to be prayed during the eight month celebration, a traveling St. Robert plush doll, exclusive 75th-anniversary swag, and more.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, June 6, 2027, our anniversary finale The eight months of celebration will lead up to the finale of our anniversary on June 6, 2027, just a day before the feast of our parish patron saint! On that day, we will host the culminating community event—a wonderful parish picnic to honor our amazing 75-year history. Additional details to come!
As we continue planning, the committee welcomes your participation! Sub-committees, formed around specific tasks and activities, are being created and there’s a place for you! If you’d like to get involved in the planning of this momentous occasion, please contact Molly Reppuhn in the parish office.
Watch our website, parish newsletters, bulletins and social media for more details over the coming months as we celebrate where we’ve been and where God is leading us!
Read this weekend’s bulletin, p. 2, for more details and a sneak peek at our 75th anniversary logo!
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High School Roadtrip to Six Flags in September – Register your teen today!
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Register your teen for this impactful Life Teen event Sept. 26-27 with Father Tony and St. Robert’s Director of Faith Formation Hans Whitmer.
Click here or on the graphic below for details and to register your teen today!
We’re also seeking adult chaperones for this event. Contact Michelle Ptak, faith formation assistant, to volunteer or learn more, MichelleP@strobertchurch.org or (616) 676-9111, ext. 113.
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St. Robert School is blessed to welcome several new teachers this year including Third Grade Teacher Mrs. Gideon! Follow the school Facebook page to meet all the new teachers!
The dedicated and enthusiastic members of the SRCS Home & School Association (HSA) have prepared a schedule of exciting events throughout the year. The HSA exists to support students, teachers, and families through events, fundraising, and partnership with school leadership.
The school is abuzz with preparations for the new academic year. School starts for grades K-8 on Monday, Aug. 24! We’re excited to welcome back our students and families. Please pray for our students, families and teachers as they embark on this new school year.
St. Robert School is enrolling students in preschool 3 through 8th grade for the 2026-27 school year. Interested families are invited to schedule a personal tour. Contact Taya in the school office, TVermetti@strobertschoolada.org, or (616) 455-4966. Visit the school website at strobertschoolada.org.
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St. Robert’s Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors kicked off their new season on Aug. 14 with a look back on the history of the Civil War in Grand Rapids featuring author and historian Steve Soper. The event included two couples from St. Jude Parish, historical reenactors – the Lomonacos and the Austins – dressed in period garb representing the 1770’s and the 1860’s.
Click here or click the photo below to view the full album of photos. (Flickr)
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A few things to know before you go …
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- SCHEDULES: For Mass, Adoration and confession schedules, visit our St. Robert website at
https://strobertchurch.org/mass-times/. - HOMILIES: Listen to Father Tony’s weekly homilies online anytime that’s convenient for you. Visit our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@strobertada, or click the YouTube icon below.
- THIS WEEK ON FORMED: Formed has on-demand Catholic content online for all ages. A free subscription is available to St. Robert parishioners. Sign up online at https://formed.org/signup.
- PARISH MINISTRIES: Share your unique God-given talents! Click here to explore our Parish Ministry Guide online and find a ministry to get involved in/volunteer with! Discerning your gifts and where to serve? Lynn Mossner, our parish director of stewardship and operations, can offer support and guidance. Contact her for a conversation at (616) 676-9111, ext. 124.
- UPCOMING EVENTS: For more upcoming events, view our parish calendar at https://strobertchurch.org/calendar/.
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As a Catholic community, we proclaim the Good News by serving God and neighbor as we grow in loving relationship with Christ.
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Be a vibrant, welcoming faith community inviting all people to know Christ through
worship and sacraments,
evangelization and catechesis,
charity and service.
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