Local vicar will head ministries in U.S. for Alexian Brothers
A local vicar on Sunday will become one of the top leaders for the Alexian Brothers ministries in the United States.
Brother Jim Classon will be given the title of the 26th Provincial Superior of the Congregation of Alexian Brothers of the Immaculate Conception Province at 4 p.m. at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village.
His duties will be to oversee all Alexian Brothers ministries, including the group's hospitals and retirement homes, in the United States.
Classon will replace Brother Richard Dube, who passed away last month after an illness.
"As provincial, Brother Richard Dube inspired me, his fellow Alexian Brothers and many individuals across our ministry location by never losing sight of the Alexian Brothers healing mission," Casson said. "I am honored to embark on this new phase of my life as an Alexian brother and - under God's supervision - will remain committed to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through the care we provide to all those in need."
Classon will be one of five provincial superiors, who oversee the group's five provinces, which include also Belgium, Ireland, Germany and England.
The five superiors report to Brother Edward Walsh, who heads up the effort globally.
Classon has been part of Alexian Brothers for more than 20 years.
He entered the Alexian Brothers religious order in 1985. Two years later, he'd completed his first vows and was stationed in Elk Grove Village. He worked as a nurse and as volunteer director for Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House in Chicago, which is a transitional-living recovery home that is part of the congregation's HIV/AIDs ministries. In 1989, he began working in administration at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. Classon later lived in San Jose, Calif., as a director of the brothers community and he worked in administration at Alexian Brothers San Jose Hospital until 1999. He returned to Elk Grove Village to work at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in the Information Systems department.
Classon has been on the Provincial Council since 1998 and has served as vicar provincial since 2001. Classon graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor's in liberal arts and has a master's in administration from the University of Notre Dame.