IN THIS EDITION: - Faith Formation programs & Choirs start in September! Hans and Jane team up with a special video invitation. Watch below!
- A new face in ministry at St. Robert
- Looking for ways to serve? Check out two volunteer opportunities below!
- Parish Life in Pictures
- Upcoming Events
- Things to Know Before You Go
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Meet us in the narthex this weekend: Fall Faith Formation and Choir Ministry details & sign ups
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St. Robert of Newminster choirs and faith formation programs are starting up in September. Jane VanHouten, our parish’s sacred music director, and Hans Whitmer, director of faith formation, have teamed up with a singing invitation to you, our St. Robert parish family, to stop by the faith formation and choir tables in the narthex after Masses this weekend to learn more about these parish ministry offerings and sign up!
Members of St. Robert’s Faith Formation Team and Choir Ministry will be available in the narthex after all Masses (Aug. 29/30) to talk with and assist you. If you’ve seen the announcements in our parish communications and have been thinking about getting involved, now’s the perfect time!
If you’d like more details now or want to register online, visit our website using the links below:
Faith Formation for K-12 students Adult Faith Formation programs Choirs for Kindergarten students through Adults
See you in church, neighbor!
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A new face in ministry at St. Robert
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We are excited to welcome Deacon Jim Hessler to the staff and parish family of St. Robert of Newminster!
Many of you may remember Deacon Jim from his service with us here during Holy Week 2026. As announced by Father Tony the weekend of Aug. 15/16, beginning September 1, Deacon Jim will join St. Robert for a three-year term, working onsite one day a week, generally on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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The working partnership between Father Tony and Deacon Jim is not unfamiliar to them! You may be interested to know that Deacon Jim and Father Tony worked together previously for 12 years at Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) Parish in Rockford when Father Tony was pastor there and Deacon Jim worked on his staff as the parish business manager.
Deacon Jim was born and raised in Rockford, Michigan on the family farm. After graduating from college, he ran his family’s potato farm for 22 years. He was a convert to the Catholic faith and joined the Church at OLC. He and his wife, Jean, have been married for 51 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Hurley in 2006 and has served previously as the director of diaconate formation for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Deacon Jim has served for 20 years in various diaconate ministries: preaching, witnessing marriages, teaching, baptizing, working with individuals entering the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and assisting with annulments. His wife, Jean, is busy with many OLC parish ministries including Bible studies, church decorating, and visiting nursing homes.
Starting on Sunday, Sept. 6, Deacon Jim will also assist Father Tony at Masses at St. Robert, and will preach at Masses on the third weekend of each month generally. He will also assist our parish community sacramentally by celebrating baptisms, officiating and witnessing marriages that are celebrated outside of Mass, as well as other responsibilities of a deacon.
Please join us in giving Deacon Jim a warm St. Robert welcome! We are grateful for his willingness to share his gifts and ministry with our parish community, and we look forward to all that God will accomplish through his service among us. Welcome, Deacon Jim! We are blessed to have you with us! Effective Sept. 1, contact Deacon Jim by visiting the staff listing of our parish website: https://strobertchurch.org/staff.
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Going my way? St. Robert parishioners who can no longer drive themselves to Mass are missing out on the community that church provides and more importantly the opportunity to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. Our parish’s transportation ministry is available to bring parishioners to doctor’s appointments, and to and from weekend Mass.
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Substitute drivers are needed occasionally for individuals to attend 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass. If the regular driver is not available these people have no way to attend. One individual lives near Walmart and the other near Forest Hills Foods. Can you help? Please contact Sue Perry 616-780-3456.
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The Wedding Coordination Team at St. Robert has the privilege of helping brides and grooms experience the wedding day they’ve been dreaming about. We’re looking to add three or four more people to our team. By serving in this ministry, you’ll help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere while ensuring that the rehearsal and wedding day run smoothly.
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A few things to know before you go …
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- JEWELS & JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY GALA: A reminder that tickets are on sale for our parish gala fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining starting at 5:30 p.m. Purchase yours today at https://jewelsandjubilee.cbo.io. Early bird pricing available through Sept. 20!
- SCHEDULES: For regular Mass, Adoration and confession schedules, visit our St. Robert website at
https://strobertchurch.org/mass-times/. Father Tony is away from Aug. 29 – Sept. 5. Please see the Aug. 30 bulletin or our Facebook and Instagram for schedule change reminders for Sept. 1-5. - 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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