Bishop Raymond Chappetto is a resident at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn’s St. Luke Church in Whitestone, New York. His duties as Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus involve assisting various parishes with the celebration of Mass. Bishop Raymond Chappetto has been an Auxiliary Bishop since his appointment by the Holy See in 2012. His responsibilities range from celebrating confirmations, other sacraments, and pastoral visits.
Between 2019 and 2021, Bishop Chappetto maintained a residency at the Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows. In the past, he has held pastoral roles at St. Kevin Church in Flushing and Our Lady of the Snows Church in Floral Park. His relationship with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn began in 1971, when he served as a parochial vicar at Saint Camillus Church in Rockaway.
Bishop Chappetto studied at the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception. He also holds graduate degrees in divinity and religious education from Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany, New York and St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York, respectively.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is a mixture of spiritual and office duties. Every day, I am privileged to celebrate Mass either in a parish church setting or in the chapel of my residence at St. Luke Rectory in Whitestone, New York. Time for personal prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours center my day in God. Sometimes I visit a parish, sometimes I visit a priest who is sick, sometimes I visit people in hospitals or nursing homes. I also spend a good deal of my day in official and personal correspondence. The day is productive because it is rooted in prayer.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I find it easy to share my ideas with priest friends who give me feedback and tell me if I am moving in the right direction. I use them as a sounding board to determine whether my ideas carry validity.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The number of people joining our Catholic faith, especially at the Easter Vigil services. I am particularly edified by the number of men who are becoming interested in the Church. The trend is definitely encouraging, and we certainly support those seeking to join our ranks.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Staying ahead of the curve. I try very hard to be in front of things rather than to procrastinate. I don’t like doing things last minute. I like to be well-prepared in advance for all my obligations. This helps me to get things done in a timely manner.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Travel more. It is easy to travel when you are young. When you get older, you feel more limited. There are places I could have visited but now I just read about them.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
The United States Post Office can get better and can improve its service. Most people have lost faith in the ability of the USPS to do its job efficiently. I still have hope.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Trust in God in all circumstances. It brings great comfort and is very reassuring to know that God is with me on this journey of life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I simply turn to God in prayer and repeat over and over again: “Jesus, I trust in you.”
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The priesthood and the episcopacy is not a career. It is a vocation from God. God is the one who calls, and God is the one who gives me the strength to accomplish what He wants me to do.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
My whole life has been work centered, with not enough time for leisure. Only in my retirement years am I discovering the importance of taking time for myself and uncovering the hidden talents and gifts that God has given me. I should have taken more time for rest and relaxation in my earlier years.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google is my best friend when it comes to software. AI can also be very helpful in getting information, whether in a conversation or in a research project. I use it to help me stay informed and gain knowledge.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I recently treated two retired priests to dinner. One was celebrating his birthday. We had a very enjoyable evening and created new memories in our relationship.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The book that I really enjoy reading is called “The Journey to Peace.” It was written by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. It is a series of reflections on faith, embracing suffering, and finding new life. He wrote this book after his diagnosis of cancer, and it is truly inspiring.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“The Triumph of the Heart.” It was a very moving and inspiring story of the life of Saint Maximillian Kolbe. He sacrificed his life to save the life of a father with two children.
Key learnings
- Anchor your day in purpose to stay focused and productive.
- Pressure-test ideas with trusted peers.
- Stay ahead—prepare early, avoid last-minute stress
- Prioritize balance: rest, relationships, and experiences matter.
- Lead with encouragement and steady faith.