­­Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will ordain two new auxiliary bishops at a Mass of Episcopal Ordination to be celebrated at Our Lady of Angels Church, Bay Ridge, on Wednesday, July 11, at 2 p.m.

The appointment of Bishops-elect. Raymond Chappetto, 66, and Paul Sanchez, 65, was formally announced May 2 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, in Washington, D.C.  That day, the new bishops were introduced at a press conference at the diocesan office building at 310 Prospect Park West.

“These two men are among the most respected priests in the Diocese of Brooklyn,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “Fundamentally, they are parish priests at heart. Each is very attentive to the diverse needs of the people they serve.

“I am also grateful for their assistance in my ministry as bishop. Bishop-elect Chappetto and Bishop-elect Sanchez consistently offer wise counsel and advice that has been indispensable in the administration of the diocese with respect to parish reconfiguration and the revitalization of spiritual programs and ministry to priests.”

Bishop-elect Raymond Chappetto was born Aug. 20, 1945, in Astoria. He studied at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, Albany, where he holds a Master’s of Divinity, as well as a Master of Arts in Religious Education from St. John’s University. He is also certified in Pastoral Counseling.  As a youngster, he attended Our Lady of mount Carmel School, and Cathedral Prep and College, Brooklyn.

He was ordained May 29, 1971, by Bishop Francis Mugavero at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn. He served as an associate at St. Camillus, Rockaway Beach, 1971-75; St. Pius V, Jamaica, 1975-76; Incarnation, Queens Village,1976- 81; and St. Helen, Howard Beach, 1981-83.

He was among the first to be involved in team ministry at Our Lady of Miracles, Canarsie, 1983-89, where he ultimately became pastor. He served there until 1995 when he was named an Episcopal Vicar for Brooklyn West.

In 1999, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park.  He recently was named pastor of St. Kevin’s parish, Flushing, effective at the end of June. The National Catholic Education Association honored him Pastor of the Year in 2008.

While rem­­­­­aining pastor of Our Lady of Snows, Msgr. Chappetto was appointed Minister for Priests and in 2009 he was named Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life. His sister-in-law is a religious sister in the congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“I am honored and humbled that the Holy Father would entrust me with such an important ministry in the life of the Church,” said Bishop-elect Chappetto. “The work of visiting the sick, as well as teaching in our parochial school and celebrating the sacraments has kept me grounded for the 41 years of my priesthood. Despite the greater responsibilities of my new office, I intend to be faithful to those ministries which have been so nourishing to me these many years.”

Bishop-elect Chappetto was named a Prelate of Honor by Blessed John Paul II in 1997. He speaks English and Italian.

Bishop-elect Paul Sanchez was born Nov. 26, 1946, in Brooklyn. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure’s University, a Master of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.  He also attended Cathedral Prep and College, Brooklyn.

He was ordained Dec. 17, 1971, by then-Bishop James Hickey (later Cardinal James Hickey of Washington, D.C.) at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His priestly assignments include Our Lady of Mercy, Forest Hills,1972-75; St. Michael, Flushing, 1975- 87; and St. Sebastian, Woodside,1987-91.

He served as pastor at St. Agatha, Sunset Park, 1991- 2001, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria, 2001-08, while also serving as administrator of St. Margaret Mary, Long Island City.

He was named Episcopal Vicar for Queens North in June 2008 and, since June 2009, he continues to serve as Vicar for Queens.

Then-Father Sanchez was named vicariate coordinator for the diocesan Liturgical Commission, January 1975. He served as a member of the Presbyteral Council, January 1984; member of the diocesan team for Ministry to Priests, January 1985; member, International Committee on English in the Liturgy sub-committee, January 1978 to January 1979. A passionate teacher, he was an adjunct faculty member at St. John’s University and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington.

“I have been a priest for 40 years and have been privileged to see how Almighty God has used me, despite my many failings and weaknesses, to build up the kingdom of Heaven,” said Bishop-elect Sanchez.  “I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for his confidence and trust in choosing me to share in the life of the apostles of our Lord.

“I have loved my ministry as a parish priest in my first three wonderful parishes and then as pastor of the people of St. Agatha in Sunset Park and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria. Even when the people had limited financial resources, they were rich in faith and an inspiration to my life of faith. Moreover, as the Territorial Vicar of Queens, I have been able to work closely with the pastors, priests and staff of our parishes. As I have walked on this great pilgrimage as a priest, the depths of God’s love have been made very clearly manifest.”

Bishop-elect Sanchez was named a Prelate of Honor by Blessed John Paul II in 1997. He speaks English and Spanish.

As auxiliary bishops, they will join Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano, Vicar General, and Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Vicar for Hispanic Concerns and pastor of Holy Child Jesus, Richmond Hill, in assisting Bishop DiMarzio to serve the sacramental, spiritual and pastoral needs of the 1.4 million multi-cultural Catholics who reside in Brooklyn and Queens.

 Another Milestone for OLA

When Our Lady of Angels Church is used as the site of the ordination of two new auxiliary bishops of Brooklyn on July 11, it will not be the first time that the magnificent structure on Fourth Ave. and 73rd St., Bay Ridge, is used for an episcopal ordination.
Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Reilly (see Page 20A) was raised to the episcopacy there on June 7, 1955. Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy was the main consecrator and Auxiliary Bishop Raymond A. Kearney was co-consecrator. The future-Bishop Francis J. Mugavero was the master of ceremonies.
On Aug. 22, 2006, Auxiliary Bishops Frank Caggiano, Octavio Cisneros, and Guy Sansaricq were ordained to the episcopacy there.