Home: Whitestone, NY. Age: 80 years old. Profession: Roman Catholic clergy. Organization: Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. Title: Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus. Alma mater: Niagara University; St. John's University. Languages spoken: English and Italian.
Current project: Content creator. Latest accomplishment: Creating a personal blog. Latest contribution to others: Available to local high schools for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Launching myself into the social media world. Hobbies: Reading, walking, and writing. Recent travel or adventure: Florida to visit family and friends. Recent unique acquisition: Trophy case for the Silver Star and Purple Heart of my uncle, Peter Chappetto, who died in World War II.
Personality profile: Calm, decisive, reflective. Moral compass: The life and teachings of Jesus Christ. How do you define a perfect friendship? Total trust and confidence, the ability to listen without judging, spending time without looking at the clock. What is your greatest joy? Watching my grandniece and grandnephew grow in their faith and knowledge. What is your greatest fear? Getting seriously sick. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? The Paper Store. What is at the top of your bucket list? Family reunion in Florida in July 2026. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Being with people I love.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Monopoly. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Priests and religious sisters of my home parish and the priests who taught me in the seminary. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Be yourself. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Treat people with respect. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire. What company or organization do you most admire? Roman Catholic Church. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11.
What is your big idea?
Harness the potential of the young people on whom I confer the Sacrament of Confirmation.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Use social media to bring about a sense of shared journey and mutual understanding. What change would you like to see in the world? Heads of state negotiating with each other to achieve a true and lasting peace. What message do you want to send out into the world? Hold onto hope and spread the faith. Jesus will never leave us alone.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Life is Beautiful. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Paul Newman. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My mom and dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A carpenter or a doctor. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? The Holy Eucharist, which is contained in a Ciborium. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? In prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and in conversations with family and friends. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? July 11, 2012, the day I was ordained a Bishop.
Personal motto: An instrument of your peace. Favorite quote: “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven” (Saint Carlo Acutis).
