Join us for a parish-wide gathering after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on June 8 to celebrate Father Tony’s 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood and the feast of St. Robert of Newminster.
Open House Details:
Date: Sunday, June 8
Time: 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Location: Newminster Hall
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We’re seeking donations of side dishes and desserts for June 8. Please see the link below to sign up!
To make this a true parish family gathering, we invite you to bring a side dish to share—your favorite salad, casserole, dessert, or other crowd-pleaser would be most welcome! Two main course options and beverages will be provided.
Please sign up to bring a side at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA4AC2EA5F9C61-56890761-frtonys.
If you have questions, please email Molly Repphun in the parish office at mollyr@strobertchurch.org.
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Gift Suggestion for Father Tony
If you wish to give a gift to Father Tony for his ordination anniversary, please consider a donation to the rectory updates fund. Donations will be used to purchase items such as a reading lamp, a fire pit, an outdoor patio set, clock and more. You can make your gift online through the “Donate” page of our website: https://strobertchurch.org/about-us/donate/. On the Donate page under “Choose a Designation,” click “One-time,” then from the “Fund” drop-down list choose “Fr. Tony 25th Anniversary Ordination Celebration” and proceed from there. Checks made out to “St. Robert of Newminster Parish” will also be accepted. Thank you!
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Getting to know our parish patron saint
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St. Robert was ordained a priest in his native village of Gargrave, in Yorkshire in the 1120’s, and a few years later entered the historic abbey of Whitby. It was a time of great religious stirrings, and soon Robert received permission to join a group of Benedictines who were attempting to revive the austere rule of St. Benedict. In a desert valley, they founded “Fountains Abbey,” a religious house that soon became famous for its fervor and devotion.
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In 1138, Ralph de Merly, Lord of Morpeth, visited the abbey. He was so struck by the religious life there that he built a Cistercian abbey in his own territory. St. Robert was chosen as Abbot of this new abbey, called Newminster, where he remained in charge until his death June 7, 1159. The monks of Newminster founded three other monasteries.
Robert was a man of great prayer. His reputation for penance and fasting is still well known despite the passing of centuries.
Legend recalls that he frequently visited St. Godric, the hermit. On the night Robert died, Godric saw his soul ascending to Heaven like a ball of fire.
St. Robert of Newminster is remembered for his dedication to prayer, simplicity, and community life, as well as his deep compassion and generosity. St. Robert shares a feast day with the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 7. Visit our website to read more about St. Robert of Newminster and our parish history, strobertchurch.org/about-us/our-history/.
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“Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5)
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Did you know? The Catholic Church throughout the world is celebrating a Jubilee Year of Hope, proclaimed by Pope Francis with the papal bull, Spes Non Confundit, released on May 9, 2024, the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
“During the Holy Year, may the light of Christian hope illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all!” said Pope Francis.
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Traditionally occurring every 25 years, a Jubilee Year is a time of spiritual renewal, mercy and pilgrimage. Our SRN Pastoral Council is inviting parishioners to learn about and participate in activities to help us engage in the celebrations, pilgrimages, and acts of penance connected with the Holy Year all with a focus on God’s mercy and forgiveness. As part of its efforts, the Pastoral Council with the help of our Facilities Manager Bill, has hung a special Jubilee Year of Hope door in the Narthex of our church. Stop by the door on the wall behind and to the right of the baptismal font to learn more and leave a note expressing what gives you hope.
To learn more and read from the papal bull, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website at usccb.org/jubilee2025. For Holy Year events hosted by the Diocese of Grand Rapids that you and your family can take part in, visit grdiocese.org/jubilee-2025/.
The Jubilee will officially conclude with the closing of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 6, 2026, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
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Construction on the new school section of our campus is moving along ahead of schedule, and many great things were happening this week! Tile is laid in the school bathrooms and work will begin on the Parish Activity Center bathrooms and locker rooms this week. Six basketball hoops and the scoreboard in the gym are being installed this week. A time capsule containing
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thoughtfully included items representing our school and community for future generations will be placed in the new school section.
As part of National Reading Month in March, St. Robert Catholic School students read 91,543 minutes and collected pledges for those minutes totaling $16,000, all of which went directly to the Together in Christ Campaign. BRAVO!
Won’t you join your support with the efforts of our students and their families to help our community reach our $3.7 million fundraising goal? To learn more and pledge/donate today, visit strobertchurch.org/together-in-christ/.
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- Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) – The parish office and St. Robert Catholic School will be closed on Memorial Day. Mass will be celebrated at SRN at 9:00 a.m. Please join us to honor and remember those who have died during military service to our country.
- Parish Office Summer Hours – Parish office summer hours are in effect from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please note the summer schedule as follows: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m. to Noon.
Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Weekend!
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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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