George James Rassas (born May 26, 1942) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois from 2005 to 2018.
George James Rassas | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Chicago Titular Bishop of Reperi | |
| Archdiocese | Chicago |
| Appointed | December 1, 2005 |
| Installed | February 2, 2006 |
| Retired | July 3, 2018 |
| Other post(s) | Titular Bishop of Reperi |
| Previous post(s) | Associate Pastor at Queen of the Rosary Church in Elk Grove Village, Illinois (1968–1974) Associate Pastor at St. Genevieve Church in Chicago, Illinois (1974–1983) Associate Pastor at St. Norbert Church in Northbrook, Illinois (1983–1988) Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Winnetka, Illinois (1988–1990) Pastor of The Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest, Illinois(1990–2004) Vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago (2004–2005) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 2, 1968 by John Cody |
| Consecration | February 2, 2006 by Francis George, Gerald Frederick Kicanas, and José Antonio Eguren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George James Rassas May 26, 1942 |
| Alma mater | University of Notre Dame Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary Niles College University of St. Mary of the Lake Loyola University |
| Motto | Hold fast the rudder of faith |
| Styles of George James Rassas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Biography
editEarly life and education
editThe oldest of six children, George Rassas was born on May 26, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland, to George and Frances (née McGuire) Rassas.[1] His father, the son of Greek immigrants, converted to Catholicism from the Greek Orthodox Church while attending the University of Notre Dame. The father met Frances after sustaining an injury during a game and then being treated at Mercy Hospital in Chicago by her father, an Irish Catholic doctor.[1]
The Rassas family moved in 1945 to Winnetka, Illinois, where they became members of Ss. Faith, Hope, and Charity Parish.[2] The younger George Rassas graduated from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago in 1961. He then attended Niles College in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois,[3] obtaining a philosophy degree. After finishing college, Rassas served as a deacon at St. Thaddeus Parish in Chicago for a year.[4]
Ordination and ministry
editOn May 2, 1968, Rassas was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal John Cody.[5] After his ordination, Rassas was named as an associate pastor at Queen of the Rosary Parish in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. In 1974, he earned a Master of Counseling Psychology degree from Loyola University Chicago[4] and was moved to St. Genevieve Parish in Chicago.[4]
In 1975, Rassas was appointed director of the Catholic Family Consultation Service, serving there until 1984. He also became associate moderator of the archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.[4]
In 1983, Rassas' pastoral assignment was changed to St. Norbert Parish in Northbrook, Illinois. He was awarded a Doctor of Pastoral Theology degree from St. Mary of the Lake in 1984.[4] That same year, while still at St. Norbert, he was named director of the Office of Family Ministries.[4] In 1988, Rassas was posted to Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka.[4]
In 1990, Rassas was assigned as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lake Forest, Illinois. In 1999, Rassas assumed the additional duty as chair of the Presbyteral Council, serving there until 2002.[4] In 2004, Rassas was named vicar general of the archdiocese.[4]
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
editOn December 1, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rassas as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and titular bishop of Reperi.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on February 2, 2006 by Cardinal Francis George, with Bishops Gerald Kicanas and José Eguren Anselmi serving as co-consecrators, at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.[5]
Rassas was appointed as the episcopal vicar for Vicariate 1, which includes Lake and Cook counties in Illinois[4] He was a founding board member and board chair for Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, Illinois.[4]
On July 3, 2018, Pope Francis accepted Rassas' letter of resignation as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.
References
edit- ^ a b Martin, Michelle (December 4, 2005). "Pope appoints Rassas as Chicago auxiliary". The Catholic New World.
- ^ Martin, Michelle (February 19, 2006). "Ordination a family affair". The Catholic New World.
- ^ "Fr. George Rassas Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. February 2, 2006. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Bishop George Rassas Biographical Summary". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
- ^ a b c "Bishop George James Rassas". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
