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Brother James Classon, CFA becomes the 26th Provincial of the Congregation of the Alexian Brothers of the Immaculate Conception Province as the Alexian Brothers of America elected him to office last November. He was installed by Brother Edward Walsh, the Superior General of the Congregation, to his new post in the presence of the gathered assembly during a' Eucharistic Celebration on November 23, 2008.
The Installation Mass Ceremony, which was held at the Charlie and Maddeline Pasktika Chapel of the Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove, was officiated by Fr. Bill Veith, the long lasting friend of the Alexian Brothers and one of the Chaplains of the Alexian Brothers' Medical Center. During the Installation Ceremony, Brother Jim took his oath of office as he promised to perform his role as the Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province, which includes among others, the function to oversee the ministries of the Alexian Brothers in the United States and in the mission areas in the Philippines and in Hungary.
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In Brother Jim's acceptance speech, he shared his vision with the whole assembly, which he claimed was inspired by the recently deceased Provincial, Brother Richard Dube, CFA. He promised not lose sight of the Alexian Brothers' Healing Mission and to continue what the past Provincial has started. He boldy said. "As I now step into this role, I will work to fulfill his (Brother Richard's) legacy....under God's guidance (I) will remain committed to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through the care we provide to those in need."
Brother Jim, came well prepared for this leadership profession. Prior to his election as Provincial, Brother Jim has been a member of the Provincial Council since 2001 where he acted as the Vicar Provincial to the two past Provincials, Brothers Lawrence Krueger and Richard Dube, CFA. He has strong academic preparation that equipped him well for this job. He is a BA Graduate of DePaul University in Liberal Arts and an MS Graduate in Hospital Administration of the University of Notre Dame. Aside from his academic credentials, he also has extensive knowledge and expertise both in Information Systems and in Nursing Practice, having played the roles of an Intranet Services Director and a Nurse Anesthetist for sometime. Moreover, Brother Jim has not only been honed in the performance of job ministries, he has also had a long experience of his taking care of the welfare of his own Brothers. In particular, he had assumed the Brothers positions in local and in provincial community leadership, like being the Community Director of the San Jose Community, being the Assistant Community Director of the Elk Grove Community until he vacated his post last November, and being both the Director of Education and the Director of Temporary Professed Brothers, to name a few of his shepherding roles to the Brothers.
The Alexian Associates, Friends of the Brothers and the Administrators and Directors of the the Ministry sites joined Brother Jim and the rest of the Alexian Brothers during the reception to celebrate this momentous event and to wish him well in the performance of his new role as the Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province of the Congregation of Alexian Brothers.
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