Robert “Rob” Van Tassell
The chief executive officer and president of Catholic Charities Hawaii, Robert “Rob” Van Tassell, will be the guest speaker at the annual diocesan Red Mass at 9 a.m., Jan. 17, in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
The topic of his presentation is “75 years of hope that transforms, action that heals and charity that brings justice.”
He said he will address the “Maryknoll roots of Catholic Charities Hawaii” and how its “treasured past has led us to where we are today and where we are going.”
The Red Mass, celebrated during the week of the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature, is the annual prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom for Hawaii’s civic leaders. Bishop Larry Silva will preside.
Van Tassell has more than 20 years of experience in affordable housing development and operations. Before joining Catholic Charities Hawaii in 2019, he was vice president of Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington, where he oversaw the housing and community development for the third largest housing developer in the state. He led the development of more than 30 housing projects, which now serves nearly 10,000 residents in homeless, low-income, special needs, family, farmworker, and senior housing developments.
Van Tassell serves on the Housing Community of Practice Coordinating Committee for Catholic Charities USA. He received the 2019 Friend of Housing Award at the Washington State Housing Conference and the 2017 Award for Housing Innovation, Creativity and Compassion from Impact Capital.
The diocese sends invitations to the Red Mass to members of the state’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, city and county officials, members of the military and representatives of other religious denominations.
A 700-year-old tradition in Europe, the Red Mass was introduced in the United States early last century and has become an annual event in Washington, D.C., and other major mainland cities. It has been celebrated in Hawaii since 1955.
The Mass is named for the color of the vestments used for a Mass of the Holy Spirit.