Join us this Advent season as we prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Liturgical Schedule
Daily Mass: Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:00 a.m.
First Saturday Mass: Saturday, December 6 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:
Monday, December 8: 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
MASS TIME CHANGE – TUESDAY, DEC. 23
Mass on December 23 will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. instead of at the usual time of 6:30 p.m. After 9:00 a.m. Mass, parishioners are invited to join in helping decorate the church for Christmas!
Christmas Eve Masses:
Wednesday, December 24:
4:00 p.m.* (NO INCENSE USED)
6:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
Incense will be used at the 6:30 and 10:00 p.m. Masses.
*Our church neighbor, Ada Congregational Church, also has a 4:00 p.m. Christmas eve service. Traffic along Ada Drive, especially near the intersection of Fox Hollow, will be congested before and potentially after Mass that evening. Please remain alert and plan your arrival for Mass accordingly.
Christmas Day Mass:
Thursday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Incense will be used at the 10:00 a.m. Mass
PARKING FOR CHRISTMAS
Construction on our campus is now complete and ample parking is available including on the north side of campus. Enter the church through Doors B, C or D. Handicap parking is available in Lot A (near Doors A and B) as well as adjacent to Door D. Doors B and D are handicap accessible entrances.
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God:
Wednesday, December 31 at 6:30 p.m. and
Thursday, January 1 at 10:00 a.m.
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 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.
Reconciliation Times
PLEASE NOTE: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the Reconciliation Rooms off 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 11, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Our Advent Penance Service will begin with the Liturgy of the Word in the sanctuary (approximately 20 minutes) 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. 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.
WEEKLY RECONCILIATION TIMES
Wednesday, December 3: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 6, 13, and 20: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10 and 17: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
For our weekly Eucharistic Adoration schedule, or to sign up for a regular Holy Hour, click here. Please note, 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.
Living the Season
Join the Christmas Choir
Join the Christmas Choir and raise your voice in celebration of His birth! Whether you’re a seasoned singer or enjoy singing casually, join us and fill the Sanctuary with beautifully arranged sacred music. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, Dec. 3. For more information and to join, contact Jane VanHouten, Director of Liturgical Music, at (616) 676-9111, ext. 120 or email JaneV@StRobertChurch.org.
Christmas Cherub Choir
All little Cherubs in Kindergarten to 2nd grade are invited to join with the St. Cecilia Choir and make a joyful noise at the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. We will rehearse on the following Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room: December 2, 9, 16 and 23. To join, contact Jane VanHouten, Director of Liturgical Music, at (616) 676-9111, ext. 120 or email JaneV@StRobertChurch.org.
Tinsel, Treats and Trolleys
Come out and support the SRN Choir at the Ada Business Association’s signature holiday event on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:15 p.m. in Ada Village as they sing during the bridge lighting! The event which goes until 8:30 p.m. also includes many family activities including Santa’s Village, Trolley Rides, a Candy Cane Forest, Live Reindeer, Storytime and more! The Festival of Trees takes place in Legacy Park Dec. 1-31. For additional details,
visit the ABA website.
Altar Server Ministry
Boys and girls in 4th grade or older can assist the priests during the Mass and take a more active role in the liturgy as an Altar Server. Training is provided and you can serve as your schedule allows! Contact Amy Rokos, Altar Server Coordinator, with any questions and to join the ministry at amy.rokos@gmail.com. For those who’ve already received training, please refer to the sign-up sent out to the altar servers email list to sign up for Advent and Christmas Masses.
School Christmas Program
The students of St. Robert School invite the parish community to attend their annual Christmas concert, “The First Christmas” on Monday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the new Parish Activity Center. Students in Kindergarten through seventh grade will perform Christmas music. No RSVP required. Contact the School Office with questions at TVermetti@strobertschoolada.org or
(616) 455-4966.
Women ALIVE Advent Event
All the ladies of the parish and their friends are invited to join us for “The Little Way of Advent: Discovering Light in the Darkness with Saint Therese” on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. in Newminster Hall. This year’s event features speaker Brooke Taylor and singer/songwriter, Olivia Vargas. RSVP to the Faith Formation Office at (616) 676-9111 ext 114 or email FaithFormation@StRobertChurch.org.
Christmas Party
Save-the-date for our Community Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Newminster Hall! Experience community and the joy we find in preparing for Christmas while enjoy a delicious, home-cooked dinner, games, singing and prayer. RSVP by December 10 by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yv8fehr8 or contact the Faith Formation office at (616) 676-9111, ext. 114 or FaithFormation@strobertchurch.org.
Bambinelli Sunday
Bring your Baby Jesus figurine to Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (weekend of Dec. 21 & 22). Bambinelli Sunday is a Catholic tradition during Advent when families and individuals bring figures of the Christ Child, or in Italian “Bambinelli,” to St. Peter’s Square in Rome to be blessed by the pope. We invite all members of our parish to bring their Baby Jesus figurines to be blessed by Father Tony at all Masses Dec. 21/22.
Calendar
November 30:
First Sunday of Advent
December 2:
Women ALIVE Advent Event, 7:00 p.m. in Newminster Hall
December 2:
Cherub Choir Rehearsal, 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 3:
Christmas Choir rehearsals begin, 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 3:
Foundations of Faith: A Journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church series begins, 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. in Marian Hall
December 6:
Feast of St. Nicholas
December 6:
First Saturday Mass at 9:00 a.m.
December 7:
Second Sunday of Advent
December 8:
Holy Day – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,
Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
December 9:
Cherub Choir Rehearsal, 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 10:
Christmas Choir rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 10:
St. Robert Catholic School Christmas Program, 6:00 p.m. in the new Parish Activity Center
December 12:
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 13:
Christmas Choir rehearsal, 9:30 a.m. in the Choir Room
December 13:
Feast of St. Lucy
December 13:
First Reconciliation, 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
December 14:
Third Sunday of Advent
December 16:
Cherub Choir Rehearsal, 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 17:
Christmas Choir rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
December 17:
Community Christmas Party, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Newminster Hall
December 12
Christmas Potluck with the O.W.L.S., 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Life Center
December 13:
Christmas Choir rehearsal, 9:30 a.m. in the Choir Room
December 19 (half day):
CHRISTMAS BREAK BEGINS for St. Robert Catholic School students!
December 20:
Christmas Choir Rehearsal, 9:30 a.m. in the Choir Room
December 21:
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24:
Christmas Vigil Masses offered at 4:00, 6:30,
and 10:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary; Parish Office CLOSED
December 25:
Christmas Day Mass offered at 10:00 a.m.; Parish Office CLOSED
December 28:
Feast of the Holy Innocents
December 29:
Feast of the the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
December 31:
Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (a Holy Day of Obligation) at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary; Parish Office CLOSES at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
January 1:
Holy Day – Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at 10:00 a.m.;
Parish Office CLOSED
January 5:
The Epiphany of the Lord
January 5:
St. Robert Catholic School returns from holiday break
January 5 – 9:
No Daily Mass, Wednesday confessions and No Tuesday through Friday
Eucharistic Adoration
January 12:
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 our holy seasons. Donations are due no later than Sunday, December 7. Donations received by December 7 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 13/14. 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. 20) 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 by Friday, Dec. 21 with the tag(s) attached. Please do not wrap items. Contact Cheryl Heise with questions at caheise17@gmail.com.
Gift of the Magi Collection
Every year on the Epiphany of the Lord, we take up a special collection to benefit our sister parish in Haiti, Our Lady of Nativity in Verrettes. You can make a cash or check donation at any Mass on January 4 or 5, 2025 or make your donation online using our giving portal. Contact the Parish Office with any questions at ParishMail@StRobertChurch.org or (616) 676-9111.
Seasonal Resources
Prepare your heart to welcome the Prince of Peace. Pick up your copy of The Advent of Rescue in the narthex during Advent. One copy per family, please as supplies are limited.
Advent reflections brought to you by Fr. John Riccardo and his team at Acts XXIX inspired by The Rescue Project. The devotional provides you with daily Scripture passages, a reflection, questions to consider, and an action to help you focus your prayer time and daily life on Jesus. Delve deep into the mysteries of Christmas and prepare your hearts for the coming of our Lord.
Advent is that sacred season of anticipation and expectation in which we come to terms with the deepest yearning of our soul—a yearning fulfilled only in Jesus Christ. As we wait in longing for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas, we turn over to him all the false satisfactions—the compromises—of our life. To live Advent is to live in the awareness of a Presence that changes us. Our Advent preparation is marked by vigilance—custody of the heart, in which we keep our soul fixed on the Lord. For what we see incarnate in the infant Jesus we desire for ourselves: purity, innocence, childlikeness restored. In the birth of this Child we know the promise of our own spiritual rebirth.
This rich spiritual companion will accompany you like a beloved friend through the four weeks of Advent with scriptural reflections for each day of the season. If you long for the nearness of God in your life, this invaluable little booklet promises to bring you ever closer to the One who promised: I am with you always (Mt 28:20).
Enjoy these Advent resources, available through FORMED®. To access these resources (and other exceptional Catholic content), sign up for your FORMED® account today! Your access is compliments of St. Robert of Newminster Parish. Visit signup.formed.org and enter our zip code (49301) to select our parish. Contact Hans Whitmer, Director of Faith Formation, with any questions at HWhitmer@StRobertChurch.org or call (616) 676-9111 ext 117.
Featured Advent Content
Advent Reflections
Advent Prayer
Advent Podcasts
Get the most out of Advent and Christmas by following along with Bishop Robert Barron’s homilies as he unpacks the profound Scripture readings for Liturgical Cycle B.
Advent for Kids
Advent for Parents
Advent for the Whole Family
Other Advent Resources
