Welcoming our Senior Neighbors THIS SATURDAY!
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Volunteers are standing by and thanks to your generosity, many donations of gifts, gift cards and monetary donations have been received in anticipation of our Senior Citizen Picnic on
Saturday, Aug. 9.
The Senior Citizen Picnic at SRN has been a tradition for over 35 years, started by Father Dave Hawley to connect St. Ann Parish in Baldwin with St. Robert. It has since expanded to include low-income seniors from local nursing homes and senior centers in the Grand Rapids area. For some of these seniors, it is their only outing for the entire year. This year, we anticipate welcoming 165 guests, along with their aides and drivers.
We’re excited to welcome senior friends from the following establishments on Saturday:
Gaylord House (the only Section 8 housing in Ada)
Grandview Apartments
Holy Name of Jesus (Domestic Twin parish with SRN)
Mission Point (formerly known as Metron)
St. Ann of Baldwin
Veteran’s Home of GR (NEW! this year)
Villa Maria
The event will feature lunch, entertainment, games, and prizes. Donated gift items will be given out to our guests as raffle and game prizes. No guest will go home without a gift from SRN.
Thank you to everyone who is coming together to help make this Saturday’s event a success, most especially to the picnic committee members – Dawn McDonald (chair), Nancy Castiglione, Anna Crawley and Cindy Ritter – who’ve been meeting since the spring to plan the picnic, and who have kept track of and organized donated items, communicated with the nursing homes and senior centers, and helped ensure the many volunteer roles were filled!
View photos from a previous Senior Citizen Picnic below:
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Swinging for a cause: Charity golf outing raises $50k for Together in Christ Campaign
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The first annual St. Robert Catholic School golf outing was held July 28, 2025 at Egypt Valley Country Club and included a silent auction. Proceeds from this first outing will go to the parish’s Together in Christ Campaign.
Golf outing co-chairs, Andrew Rener and Matt Eilers, along with the event team members are thrilled to report final proceeds of $50,000! We are grateful and humbled by the many amazing sponsorships from local community businesses and parishioners who helped to make this a successful event.
We would also like to express our appreciation to Most Rev. David Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, Father Tony Russo, pastor of St. Robert, and school Principal Liz Peters for their support and participation as well as the many golfers from the parish, school and business community who participated.
View additional photos from the golf outing on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/strobertada/albums/72177720328199641
To learn more about the Together in Christ campaign or make a pledge, visit https://strobertchurch.org/together-in-christ/.
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Cross Blessing and Installation July 30
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Filled with anticipation and joy, we gathered as a parish family on Wednesday, July 30, to witness the blessing and installation the new Cross – which now proudly hangs at the new entrance to St. Robert Catholic School. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
From celebrating Mass in Kennedy’s Restaurant in 1952 to having a parish school framing the hearts, minds, and souls of students in Preschool to 7th grade, look how far we’ve come in 73 years! The Holy Spirit is moving here at SRN.
View additional photos from the blessing and installation on Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/strobertada/albums/72177720328163553
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She Shall Be Called Woman: The parish is rolling out a new women’s program for fellowship, diving deeper into your faith, and incorporating that faith into your daily life. (“SHE” for short.) The program, available through Paradisus Dei, will start Thursday, September 25. Gatherings will take place in the Fatima Room of Marian Hall. There is a morning and evening option, running for nine weeks, with childcare available. The format is fellowship, followed by a video we all will watch together after which we will split out into small groups.
Sign up here today!
OR REGISTER AFTER MASSES AUG. 16/17: A registration table will be set up in the narthex (gathering space) after all Masses the weekend of Aug. 16/17. Stop by for more information and to sign up!
If you have questions, please contact Jolana Peard,
jpeard@strobertchurch.org, or (616) 676-9111, ext. 123.
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Returning This Fall For Men!
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That Man Is You! (TMIY) is an interactive men’s program focused on development of male leadership in the modern world. Also available through Paradisus Dei, it combines the best research from science, with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints, to develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming themselves, their families, and greater society. TMIY will meet Friday mornings from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 19 in the Lourdes Room of Marian Hall.
Join today!
OR REGISTER AFTER MASSES AUG. 16/17: A registration table will be set up in the narthex (gathering space) after all Masses the weekend of Aug. 16/17. Stop by for more information and to sign up!
If you have questions, please contact Al Juarez, aljuarez2@gmail.com.
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Please see our early childhood through high school offerings in the Aug. 10 bulletin here: https://strobertchurch.org/bulletins/ (click the Aug. 10 bulletin link and see pg. 7), or pick up a bulletin at Masses this weekend.
Regular registration pricing is in effect now through Sept. 1—$90 for first child; $30 for each additional child; $150 max/family (pricing will increase on Sept. 2) and classes are filling! Sessions begin the week of Sept. 21.
To register your child(ren) for Faith Formation, visit
strobertchurch.org/faith-formation/registration/.
Contact Hans Whitmer, director of faith formation, (616) 676-9111, ext. 117, or hwhitmer@strobertchurch.org with questions.
Catechists and assistants are still needed! What better way to deepen your knowledge and relationship with our Lord than to prepare lessons about Him and teach them to our St. Robert youth? Please ask God if He is calling you to this life-giving work. If you’re interested in teaching or assisting in a classroom, please contact Jolana Peard, (616) 676-9111, ext. 123, or email jpeard@strobertchurch.org.
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Important Faith Formation Dates in September
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September 7: Inquirer’s/OCIA Class Begins (Starting with 8 weeks of “The Rescue Project”) Specifically for adults who are considering becoming Catholic and baptized Catholics who still need to receive Eucharist and/or Confirmation. The class has also proven useful for sponsors of those preparing to receive sacraments and Catholics in general who don’t feel they don’t know the basics of their faith well enough or would like a refresher.
Sign up here!
September 14: Catechist and Assistant Orientation and Training, immediately following 11:00 a.m. Mass, Newminster Hall (lunch included)
September 14: How Your Marriage Can Save the World, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
All parishioners are welcome for this talk by Mitchell Narvasa of the Augustine Institute, (open gym and childcare available)
September 17: Great Adventure Bible Study – “Wednesday Edition” begins, weekly 10:00 a.m. – noon; a “Monday Edition” will also be available 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. weekly starting Oct. 6.
September 19: High School Lock-in
WEEK OF September 21: Faith Formation Classes Begin – PreK & K through High School (See above for registration)
September 21: Family Integrated Religious Education (F.I.R.E.) Cafe
Once monthly gathering for families between the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses
September 24: Wednesday evening Community Dinners Resume, Newminster Hall
Community dinners will be followed by a F.I.R.E. Adult Study each week from 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. Topics will vary.
September 28: First Reconciliation Retreat
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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – NEW SCHEDULE IN EFFECT!
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Come and sit in quiet reflection with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Our expanded schedule of Eucharistic Adoration including two special Holy Hours each month began in August (see details above). To access the Eucharistic Chapel, enter through Door C. A handicap accessible entrance is available at Door D.
Unsure about where to begin with adoration? Inside our Eucharistic Chapel, you’ll find two resource stations, one for Families and Little Saints, and another with resources for adults to help you understand how to make a Holy Hour. The most important thing to realize is that you don’t HAVE to do anything – you don’t have to say a particular prayer, or read or sing. All you have to do is be present with our Lord.
To learn more or sign up for a regular weekly or monthly Holy Hour, or to be a substitute adorer, visit our website:
https://strobertchurch.org/sacraments/adoration/.
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The Charity Golf Outing for Haiti will be held Sept. 23 at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club. All proceeds will benefit our sister parish, Our Lady’s Nativity, in Verrettes, Haiti, especially the students and parish schools there.
The main focus of our Twinning relationship with Our Lady’s Nativity has been education and to help Fr. Murat, the pastor in Verrettes, spread the word and works of Jesus Christ. Our financial support helps pay tuition for about 230 students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to go to school. The money also helps pay teacher salaries and provides lunches for the kids. For many students it is their main meal of the day, usually beans and rice, which can be grown locally. With the increase in gang violence and unrest, conditions have become more complicated and difficult for the people of Haiti.
For details and to register for the golf outing, please visit:
https://stroberthaitigolf.com.
If you have questions, or would like to volunteer at the golf outing, contact Tom McDonald at tmcdonald7287@gmail.com or call (616) 893-4428.
Read more about our Twinning relationship with Our Lady’s Nativity and sign up to receive email updates at https://strobertchurch.org/ministry/haiti/.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUGUST
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August 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vigil Mass, August 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Day Mass, August 15 at 9:00 a.m.
August 19: Welcome Back Family Mixer, St. Robert Catholic School, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
August 20: First Day of School for K – 7th Graders, St. Robert Catholic School
August 24: Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge after the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses; watch for details at our church entrances, or ask a Knight you know!
August 25: First Day of School for Preschool 4’s and Young 5’s & Mighty Shepherd Monday – St. Robert Catholic School
August 26: First Day of School for Preschool 3’s – St. Robert Catholic School
August 29-September 1: No School for the Labor Day Holiday; Parish Office closed Monday, September 1, regular parish office hours resume this week.
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Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our parish family. Your faithful support keeps our doors open, our ministries active, and our mission alive.
To sign up for online giving, or to assess your current tithing, visit
strobertchurch.org/about-us/donate/.
Our parish also has a Text to Give option: Text GIVE to (616) 691-6447 to receive your secure giving link.
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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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