About St. Robert of Newminster · Ada, Michigan
St. Robert of Newminster Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Ada, Michigan, established in 1951 and now serving roughly 2,045 registered families on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. It belongs to the Diocese of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids South Deanery, Kent County) and is led by Rev. Anthony S. (Tony) Russo, its current pastor. The parish is known for its vibrant faith-formation program for all ages, an award-winning children's choir, a parish Catholic school, daily and weekend Masses, and extensive Eucharistic Adoration — including two sensory-friendly devotions designed for families and individuals with special needs.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- St. Robert of Newminster
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony S. (Tony) Russo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
Why belong here
St. Robert of Newminster offers the full sacramental life of a large, active parish — daily and weekend Masses, multiple weekly opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, and confession twice a week — paired with a robust, multi-generational faith formation program for nursery through high school and a wide range of adult studies (Catechism, Bible Timeline, women's studies, and the OCIA/Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Families are welcomed by a parish Catholic school, a children's choir, youth groups, service and outreach ministries, and two uniquely accessible devotions: the Sensory-Friendly Holy Hour for children and adults with special needs, and the Baby & Tot Holy Hour for parents and their littlest children. With 2,045 registered families, it's a vibrant faith community anchored in Ada but drawing from Cascade, East Grand Rapids, and the surrounding Kent County area.
Mass times at St. Robert of Newminster
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturdays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. in the church (Mass at 6:30 p.m.)
- Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel (Mass at 9:00 a.m.; confessions 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
- Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel (Mass at 9:00 a.m.)
- Friday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel (Mass at 9:00 a.m.)
- Saturday 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. in the church (confessions at 3:00 p.m., Mass at 4:30 p.m.)
- Sensory-Friendly Holy Hour — First Saturday of the month, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary (low lighting, no incense, safe to move around; for children and adults with special needs)
- Baby & Tot Holy Hour — Third Wednesday of the month, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel (a safe, judgment-free Holy Hour for parents and their little ones)
Our History
The roots of St. Robert's Parish reach back to 1836, when Ottawa Indians built a small Catholic chapel in Ada Township; entries in the old records at St. Andrew's Cathedral note baptisms 'in the chapel at Ada.' After World War II, an increasing number of Catholic families east of Grand Rapids led the diocese to establish a new parish. On November 14, 1951 Bishop Haas assigned Rev. Frederick J. Voss as the first pastor; he named the parish for the chancellor of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Bogg, and the very next day 84 people gathered at the Kennedy Restaurant on M-21 for the first services. A red-brick colonial-style church seating 320 was built at 7215 Headley Street by 1952, and the parish soon outgrew it.
- 1951 — Parish established by Bishop Haas; Rev. Frederick J. Voss first pastor.
- 1952 — Groundbreaking at 7215 Headley Street; red-brick church seating 320 built.
- 1969 — 15 acres purchased at 6477 Ada Drive; groundbreaking under Rev. Henry J. Niedzwiecki.
- 1970 (July 12) — First Mass in the new church (seating 750).
- 1973 — Rev. John W. McGee becomes pastor (430 families).
- 1979 — Rev. David Hawley arrives.
- 1988 — Monsignor Ernest Schneider begins as pastor.
- 1998 (Oct. 25) — Current 1,200-seat sanctuary dedicated.
- 2000 (July) – 2009 (June) — Monsignor R. Louis Stasker, pastor.
- 2009 (July) – 2021 (July) — Rev. Leonard Sudlik, pastor.
- 2021 (August) — Rev. Tony Russo becomes pastor.
- Today — 2,045 registered families.
Special Holy Hours
Two unique monthly devotions make the parish's Eucharistic life especially accessible. Both are listed on the parish's Mass Times page and on the Diocese of Grand Rapids profile.
- Sensory-Friendly Holy Hour — First Saturday of the month, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A Holy Hour for children and adults with special needs (Down syndrome, autism, dementia, etc.), with low lighting, no incense, and freedom to move around.
- Baby & Tot Holy Hour — Third Wednesday of the month, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel. A safe, judgment-free Holy Hour for parents and their little ones.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Robert of Newminster is offered for every stage of life — from Sunday Nursery and Sunday School for the youngest children, through Elementary and Middle School faith formation, High School youth ministry, and a robust Adult Ministry. The parish says it 'never turns a family away from programming due to an inability to pay'; scholarships are available through the Faith Formation Office. Family Dinners are served every Wednesday from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in Newminster Hall for everyone participating in Faith Formation or in the Choir programs.
Children's Programs — Nursery, Sunday School, Elementary
Sunday Nursery is offered during the 9:00 a.m. Mass for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years. Sunday School is offered at the same Mass for potty-trained 3-year-olds through Kindergarteners (Sept. 21, 2025 – March 29, 2026). Elementary Faith Formation (grades 1–5) uses the Augustine Institute's 'Word of Life' program; sessions are offered Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m., Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m., and Wednesdays 6:45 – 8:00 p.m., with a Community Dinner between the two Wednesday sessions. Second graders and up participate in the 'Word of Life' Reconciliation and Communion sacramental prep program; last year the parish prepared over 100 disciples for these sacraments.
- Sunday Nursery (6 months – 3 years) during 9:00 a.m. Mass
- Sunday School (potty-trained 3y – K) during 9:00 a.m. Mass
- Elementary Faith Formation (grades 1–5) — Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.; Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.; Wednesdays 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
- Word of Life Reconciliation & Communion prep (2nd grade and up)
- Totus Tuus Summer Program — June 14–19, 2026
Middle School & High School Youth Ministry
Middle School Youth Group meets on the second Sunday of each month following the 11:00 a.m. Mass, with lunch included. Classes for grades 6–8 are offered Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m., Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:15 p.m., and Wednesdays 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.; 8th graders automatically receive sacramental preparation for Confirmation. High School Youth Group meets on the first and third Sundays after the 11:00 a.m. Mass (lunch included), and a weekly Wednesday session 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. includes 'The RESCUE Project' — a study that walks students through the Story of Salvation.
- Middle School Youth Group — 2nd Sunday of each month after 11:00 a.m. Mass
- Middle School classes (grades 6–8) — Tues & Wed evenings
- Confirmation prep (8th grade)
- High School Youth Group — 1st & 3rd Sundays after 11:00 a.m. Mass
- High School weekly session — Wednesdays 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. (The RESCUE Project)
Adult Ministry
St. Robert's Adult Ministry offers ongoing religious education for adults at every stage of the faith journey. Coming in January 2026 is an all-new Catechism study on Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings ('Foundations of Faith: A Journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church,' 20 weekly sessions through Memorial Day 2026). The parish also runs Sunday Scripture study (Tuesday mornings), the Great Adventure Bible Timeline (Monday evenings & Wednesday mornings), a women's Bible study of the Gospel of Matthew (Wednesday mornings), and the 'She Shall Be Called Woman' (SHE) women's Catholic study on Thursday mornings and evenings. OCIA (formerly RCIA) meets after the 9:00 a.m. Mass beginning the first Sunday after Labor Day for adults considering becoming Catholic and for baptized Catholics seeking Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
- OCIA — Inquiry and full initiation (begins first Sunday after Labor Day)
- Foundations of Faith: A Journey through the Catechism — Mon evenings & Wed mornings (Jan. 2026)
- Great Adventure Bible Timeline — Mon evenings & Wed mornings
- Sunday Scripture Reflection — Tuesday mornings
- Women's Bible Study: Gospel of Matthew — Wednesday mornings
- 'She Shall Be Called Woman' (SHE) — Thursday mornings and evenings
St. Robert Catholic School
St. Robert Catholic School opened its doors in fall 2018 with preschool through Kindergarten as the first new Catholic school to open in the Diocese of Grand Rapids in more than 50 years. The school became a parish school on July 1, 2023, and continues to grow toward a fully functioning preschool through 8th grade institution. The school offers a STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Math), intentional teaching of traditional and spontaneous prayer, weekly Mass attendance, Eucharistic adoration, sacramental preparation, and the study of Catholic virtues. It came to life through the generosity of dedicated Catholic families and active community members, with the strong support of Bishop David Walkowiak, who chose St. Robert of Newminster Parish because of the number of young families registered there and its vibrant youth faith formation program.
- Opened fall 2018 with preschool through Kindergarten
- Became a parish school on July 1, 2023
- STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, Math)
- Growing toward preschool through 8th grade
- Website: strobertschoolada.org
Staff & Parish Office
The parish is led pastorally by Rev. Tony Russo and supported by a full staff in faith formation, pastoral care, liturgy, music, communications, evangelization, stewardship, and operations. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, with a daily closure from noon – 12:30 p.m. for lunch; from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Friday hours are 8:00 a.m. – noon. The office is closed December 24–26 for Christmas and December 31 – January 2 for New Year's.
- Pastor — Rev. Tony Russo ([email protected], ext. 122)
- Director of Faith Formation — Hans Whitmer ([email protected], ext. 117)
- Faith Formation Assistant — Lauren Ludwig ([email protected], ext. 113)
- Pastoral Associate for Elementary Ministry — Jolana Peard ([email protected], ext. 123)
- Director of Pastoral Care — Katie Mendenhall
- Coordinator of Evangelization — Jeremy Jack ([email protected], ext. 114)
- Director of Liturgical Music — Jane VanHouten
- Director of Communications — Heidi
- Director of Stewardship & Operations — (staff listed)
- Maintenance — (staff listed)
- Parish Office Coordinator — Molly Reppuhn ([email protected])
Ministries & Parish Life
Parish life is organized into five broad ministry areas: Pastoral Care, Faith Formation, Liturgical Ministries, Music, and Service & Outreach — with Community & Fellowship events tying them all together. Groups meet in Newminster Hall, the church, and the Eucharistic Chapel. All parish ministries and events must be approved through a Parish Event Reservation Form, which evaluates requests in light of the Parish Mission and Vision statements, the parish calendar, space, and personnel.
- Pastoral Care
- Faith Formation
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music (Jane VanHouten, Director of Liturgical Music)
- Service & Outreach
- Community & Fellowship
Visit, Contact & Campus
The parish campus is at 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301, with the phone number (616) 676-9111 and general inbox [email protected]. All buildings are handicapped accessible; a handicap-accessible entrance is available at Door D, and the Eucharistic Chapel is just inside Door C on the right. A campus map is published on the website at strobertchurch.org/im-new/. A Prayer Request Form is available online for those wishing to be prayed for by the parish.
- Address — 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301
- Phone — (616) 676-9111
- Email — [email protected]
- Office Hours — 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mon–Fri (closed noon – 12:30 p.m. for lunch)
- Summer Friday hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day) — 8:00 a.m. – noon
- Handicap-accessible entrance — Door D
- Eucharistic Chapel — inside Door C, on the right
- Campus map — strobertchurch.org/im-new/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frederick J. Voss1951–1956
First pastor; named the parish St. Robert of Newminster to honor the diocesan chancellor Rt. Rev. Robert W. Bogg.
- Rev. Donald Farrell1956–1966
Succeeded Father Voss; oversaw growth and the early parish buildings.
- Rev. Henry J. Niedzwiecki1966–c.1973
Led the 1969 groundbreaking at 6477 Ada Drive; first Mass in the new church was celebrated July 12, 1970.
- Rev. John W. McGee1973–1979
Historian of the parish; wrote about its Ottawa Indian roots and the Indian mounds in Ada.
- Rev. David Hawley1979–1988
Shepherded the parish through the 1970s and 1980s.
- Monsignor Ernest Schneider1988–2000
Led the planning and dedication of the current 1,200-seat sanctuary on October 25, 1998.
- Monsignor R. Louis Stasker2000–2009
- Rev. Leonard Sudlik2009–2021
- Rev. Tony Russo2021–present
Current pastor; began August 2021.