Ordained a priest in 1968, Father Rassas, 62, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised in Winnetka, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. The Vatican press office announced the appointment today.
He served in a number of parishes, including as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Lake Forest, before being named vicar general in November 2004.
He currently serves on the archdiocese’s Board of Consultors, the Finance Council and the Comprehensive Archdiocesan Planning Committee. His academic background includes a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University, Chicago.
The archdiocese serves more than 2.4 million Catholics.