UPPER DARBY — Over 600 people recently came out to The Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center to honor retiring St. Mary Magdalen pastor, the Rev. Monsignor Ralph Chieffo and to raise funds for St. Mary Magdalen (SMM) School in Upper Providence.
The highly anticipated gala fundraiser Legacy of Love … Build of Faith, on April 6 included a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing to live music by Midnight Hour, a performance by the Fralinger String Band, a silent auction, and an opportunity to honor a holy and highly respected priest who has served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for almost a half century and at St. Mary Magdalen’s Parish for 24 years.
SMM Deacon Joseph Boyle said the gala sold out weeks before it happened and was the largest fundraising campaign in the school’s history, thanks to the “legacy of love” himself, Chieffo.
“Msgr. Chieffo has been a beacon of light, showing the St. Mary Magdalen Parish Community the path of missionary discipleship through his example,” Boyle shared. “He has met each of his flock where they are and guided us all towards our shared calling, the road to sainthood. When our hearts are restless, he leads us through the intercession of the Blessed Mother to find solace in her Son, providing us with a constant source of guidance and reassurance.”
Among the special guests that included Chieffo’s family members, friends, fellow priests, parishioners and others he met through the years, was Archbishop Nelson Perez, a longtime friend and classmate of Chieffo’s at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. As hundreds of attendees reverently bowed their heads in unison, the archbishop said the invocation.
The event was chaired by parishioners Mary Ann and Don Saleski and Patty and Gary Holloway. The co-chairs were Alyson and Brian Grandieri and Carolyn and Mike Longo.
Don Saleski was the evening’s emcee. Gala committee members Sue Mita and Chris Sincavage obtained over 200 auction items for the event and Shelly Zeller and Abby Sacunas created the program book, which contained hundreds of ads with personalized well wishes and notes expressing gratitude and love for the monsignor.
The gala was an opportunity for people to celebrate the monsignor’s legacy while raising funds to support SMM. Proceeds were earmarked to support the school’s capital revitalization and security plan.
Before the night even began, over $500,000 was already raised for the cause.
In addition to selling out tickets, major sponsors included Gary and Patty Holloway and family, Matt and Kristy Jesson, The Mita family, The Saleski family, Dan and Barbara Amorosa, Ed and Ellen Hanway, Thomas Karl and family, the McAlee family, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Ortego and sponsor contributions from hundreds of others.
“Monsignor Chieffo’s greatest passion is spreading the good news about the love of God and the joy of our Catholic faith to our young people,” said Amy Crawford-Bauer, the principal of SMM School since July 2023. “St. Mary Magdalen School is academically excellent and passionately Catholic because of his leadership and his unwavering support for me and our wonderful faculty and staff.”
Although SMM hosts a gala every two years, this was the first time that there was an honoree. Chieffo, 75, will be officially retiring on June 1.
His background
On May 17, 1975, Chieffo was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Cardinal John Krol.
Through the years, the priest served at Mater Dolorosa Parish in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, St. Alice Parish in Upper Darby, St. Patrick’s in Malvern, and Holy Saviour in Norristown. In 1991 he became Pastor of King of Peace Parish in South Philadelphia, followed by his appointment to Pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Upper Providence in 2000. In 2012, Chieffo was named Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.
“The sheer magnitude of support demonstrated by the 600-plus attendees underscored the unwavering love and dedication monsignor shares with his parishioners,” commented Alyson Grandieri.
“Throughout his tenure, Monsignor Chieffo has touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on hearts, minds and souls,” said Mary Ann Saleski. “His time here has truly been a legacy of love, builder of faith, and that’s why we came up with this theme. As Monsignor Chieffo prepares to embark on his well-deserved retirement, we were excited to celebrate him and show him our gratitude and appreciation for his extraordinary service in the Delaware Valley community.”
“We are deeply grateful for Monsignor Chieffo’s leadership, guidance, and unwavering dedication to our school and all the students that have benefited from his work,” added Patty Holloway. “This gala is a testament to the profound impact he has had on our lives and the lasting legacy.”
Chorus of praise
The program was filled with camaraderie and heartfelt testimonials, and shared cherished memories by those who have been touched by Monsignor’s leadership and compassion.
“Back in my senior year in high school at St. James, I asked my friend Ralph where he was going to college,” shared Larry Donato, current president of the St Mary Magdalen School Board and Grand Knight of the SMM Knights of Columbus Council. “Ralph replied ‘St Charles Seminary.’ I was not shocked, but surprised. Fast forward 36 years, when we moved to SMM and my friend became not simply just a friend. My family became part of his SMM parish family, where his untiring love and personal caring is felt by all. He is loved and is truly a good shepherd to us all.”
Donato’s sentiments were echoed by countless others.
When asked about Chieffo, longtime parishioner Dan Amoroso said, “This humble man has always been there whenever needed. No matter how busy or tired he is, he always finds the time to answer the call. It’s difficult to describe how blessed I have been to have Monsignor Chieffo as a pastor, spiritual father, teacher and close friend. Some people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. Because of knowing him, I have changed for the better.”
Joanne Hinkle, who works in the SMM office and has been a SMM for 20 years, agreed.
“The most important thing that sticks out in my mind is that Fr. Ralph taught each and every one of us that Jesus loves us all so much,” she said. “And learning that truly changed our lives for the better. I remember the first time Fr. Ralph told me that I was the beloved daughter of a loving Father. He helped me to learn, without a doubt, that I was loved by God.”
“Monsignor Chieffo is a gifted leader, with extraordinarily compassionate skills to communicate God’s love for people of all ages and stages of life,” added longtime parishioner Joe Bodalski, president of the SMM Pastoral Council. “His ability to bring the joy of faith to young children especially, warms the hearts of their parents and grandparents, as well as their own. We have been truly blessed by his pastoral formation for these many years.”
The early years
The beloved pastor was born to Victor and Domenica Chieffo in Avellino Province in the Campania Region of Italy.
He had two siblings older than him, who had passed away before he was born.
After World War II, when he was only 7-years-old, his parents immigrated to America with him and his two younger siblings, Angelo and Theresa. Chieffo said there was little education and employment opportunities in Italy, and his uncle and cousins had found jobs and made a home in America.
Although he was only 7, he remembers crying in 1956, when he left his friends and family in Italy to travel to the U.S.
The family sailed by ship for 12 days. Shortly after his arrival, his family settled in Marcus Hook. His uncle Pat had worked at Sun Oil there since the 1930s. His father got a job at Skully’s Construction and then with Don Gaster, building homes and apartments.
“When we moved to Marcus Hook,” Chieffo said, “It was the first time I ever saw a TV or a refrigerator.”
His parents enrolled their son at Marcus Hook Elementary School, where he attended for grades 3-6, before transferring to Immaculate Conception Parish School for grades 7-8 and then going on to St. James High School in Chester.
While he was at Immaculate Conception School, Chieffo specifically remembers Sister Cecil Gabriel, OSF, teaching him that faith is our backbone and becoming a saint and going to heaven is our wishbone, and you have to develop a funny bone and be joyful all the way to Heaven.
“When I was an altar boy, I noticed that everyone in the parish went to the priest, in good times and bad,” Chieffo shared. “The priest was joyful and had a special serenity about him. I used to shine shoes in my cousin’s barber shop and I saw politicians, lawyers and doctors come in. I’d watch them and listen to them and I’d always ask myself, what do I want to do? What is going to make me happy?”
He made a decision, choosing the path that he was sure would bring him happiness. Following graduation in 1966, Cheiffo entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1975, and began his ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
His education at St. Charles earned Chieffo a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s of divinity. He continued his education, earning a master’s in English literature at Villanova University, and then returned to St. Charles, after celebrating his 25th Jubilee as a priest, to earn a master’s in theology.
In addition to his scholarly education, Chieffo also received an extensive clinical pastoral education, ministering to the parishioners at St. Edward’s and Our Lady Help of Christians, both in Philadelphia, as well as the patients at Haverford State Hospital, and the residents of Sleighton Farm School.
From 1980 to 2000, Chieffo taught in the Permanent Deaconate Program at St. Charles Seminary and was Advocate and Defender of the Bond in the Tribunal of the Archdiocese. He continues to be spiritual director to priests, deacons and seminarians. Over the past few years he can also be heard on Thursday evenings on the Philadelphia AM radio dial.
The monsignor was the leader of the Charismatic movement in the church in the 1990s and was one of the initiators/ founders of the Archdiocese’s Man Up Philly program. He is also the national leader of the “Flame of Love” devotion.
The accomplishments
Extremely proud of his Italian heritage, Chieffo welcomes Associazione Regionale Abruzzese (ARA) of Delaware County to meet at the parish, play bocce, fundraise for the Communities of Don Guanella and attend periodic Masses celebrated in Italian.
The monsignor has family artifacts, including his original passport from all those years ago, on display in the new Italian American Cultural Center Museum at The Lazzaretto in Tinicum Township.
He’s also pleased with all of the improvements in the parish that took place under his leadership. A new church was constructed, with remnants from the former church redesigned into a chapel off the side of the new church.
He created a Religious Education Fund to use for the Prep program for adults and children and he oversaw over $2 million worth of improvements to SMM School, including hiring additional faculty. Monsignor firmly believes in the blessings of a Catholic School education, and the value of Catholic teachers in forming Christian disciples who are reverent, respectful and ready to take responsibility to create a better world.
“My Catholic faith and education changed my whole vision of how to live and love,” the pastor said. “A Catholic School education forms students into reverent, respectful, and responsible stewards of faith, a vibrant faith that enables us to live a live of virtue. Our school here at SMM is essential. Without understanding the faith, it’s almost impossible to carry it out.”
Although he has always found joy in his priestly vocation, Chieffo shared the specific joy of serving as a pastor.
“It’s hard to describe the joys involved in being a pastor,” Chieffo stated. “The good people in this parish have placed their trust and confidence in me. It’s my responsibility to show them that God lives and loves in each one of us, despite weaknesses or sins — the mercy of God trumps all selfishness and transforms us into channels of faith and love to build a culture of life and hope for the future.”
As pastor, Chieffo ministers to 1700 families in SMM parish, 370 students in SMM School, and 180 participants in the PREP program. In partnership with his brother priests, deacons and lay people he has developed and now oversees over fifty organizations, ministries, and services for the good of the St. Mary Magdalen parish family, including Legion of Mary, adult and children’s choir, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers, senior social club, Knights of Columbus, Pastoral Council, RCIA, Elder Care, CYO, Bible study groups, Respect Life, Little Church School, Food Collection, HOPE Ministry, St. Vincent DePaul, and many more.
“My parents taught me to respect everyone as family,” he said. “As a pastor, I always felt like my parishioners are my family. I’m here to serve them. We all have something to give and, in the spirit of family, we need to share our talents and take care of one another.”
One of Chieffo’s proudest achievements has been initiating the SMM Charity Board, which is funded by 5% of the Sunday collection and other donations and strives to meet the needs of the poor, financially help other Catholic Schools and feed the homeless.
The board supports many charities, including St. Ignatius School in West Philadelphia, The Mother’s Home in Darby, The Little Sisters of The Poor, Bringing Hope Home, the Bethesda Project and others. Recently, the parish completely funded the building of the Oasis of Peace orphanage in Kenya that now houses 126 children, and continues its support there.
“Monsignor Chieffo is a living example for us all in donating his time, talent, and treasure to the parish,” stated Joshua Ortego, an active participant on the Charity Board. “Under his guidance, the Charity Board helps to donate that treasure to benefit the community at large.”
Soon to turn 76, Chieffo, who celebrates at least two Masses and one wedding each weekend, said he was eligible to retire last year, but asked to stay on an extra year. Now, with a few health issues, he says that he is ready to retire and turn the church over to a new pastor, yet to be named.
“I’m leaving the parish in good hands,” Chieffo said, sincerely. “There are so many givers, really generous people in this parish. I’ve always welcomed our parishioners to serve in all capacities. It’s not my parish. It’s our parish.”
The well-respected Chieffo said it would not be fair to stay on in the role because he is physically unable to do what he used to do.
“A pastor’s role is to be a spiritual father and brother to everyone in the parish,” he said. “My retirement will give a chance for the parish to have someone younger in the role and that is only fair. It’s time. Through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalen, I pray that God will continue to bless my parish family and friends with Jesus’ presence, power, and peace in their hearts and homes.”
Archbishop Perez praised Chieffo, saying his pastoral care has created a vibrant community infused with the spirit of Missionary Discipleship that grew for almost 25 years. He said that Chieffo not only played an instrumental role in the construction of the new church in 2008, but he turned the building into a spiritual home filled with the light and hope emulating from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.
“Thank you for helping to build up the Kingdom of God with great faith, fidelity, and charity,” Archbishop Perez said to the honoree. “As you enter this next phase of life, may God bless you with health, happiness, joy and peace.”
