RAPID CITY (SD)
Rapid City Journal
July 21, 2019
By Arielle Zionts
Bishop Robert Gruss sat in his office Thursday afternoon, focusing on his computer and surrounded by stacks of books, a few decorations and packed boxes.
The 64-year-old bishop was still hard at work responding to emails and hosting back-to-back meetings before leaving Saturday after eight years with the Rapid City Diocese, which oversees churches and Catholic life across western South Dakota.
Departing Rapid City to serve as the bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan is a “bittersweet” moment, Gruss said.
“Leaving a place that you come to know and love, it’s hard leaving,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of great friendships and good relationships. I love the people here. I love the land. I’ve really enjoyed being with and working with the Native American population.
“There’s kind of a holy sorrow to it in the sense that it’s what the lord has called me to, and I desire to do the will of God. And I really do feel that I’ve been called there, missioned there, to serve the people of Saginaw. So there’s deep gratitude in my heart for these eight years that the lord has given me here and there’s anticipation, I think there’s some excitement for me moving to the Diocese of Saginaw and ministering to the people there.”
Gruss was born in Arkansas and grew up in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Wisconsin, according to his biography on the diocese website. He worked as a pilot and flight instructor for nine years before he began studying religion and preparing for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1994 and served various roles in the United States and Vatican City before becoming Bishop of Rapid City in 2011.
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