Msgr Chris is truly a “home-grown boy” growing up in St. Mary’s parish, Paterson.  He graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School, and High School in 1968.  At the time Chris Di Lella studied at Loyola University in Baltimore where he majored in History/Education.

 Upon graduating in 1972, Msgr Chris taught at Neumann Prep, Wayne and Lenape Valley HS in Stanhope.  In 1975 he entered Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, in Mahwah, NJ.  He was ordained a Transitional Deacon on May 12, 1978 at St. James in Totowa.  On May 5, 1979 he was ordained to the ministerial Priesthood at St Paul’s, Clifton by The Most Reverend Frank J. Rodimer.

 Father Chris served as Parochial Vicar at St. Virgil, Morris Plains for four years then at St Philip the Apostle, Clifton for 10 years.  In 1993 he was appointed Pastor at St. Vincent the Martyr in Madison where he served till 2008. During that time, in 1998 Fr. Di Lella was elevated to Monsignor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Following St. Vincent, he took residence at Annunciation Parish in Wayne.  During the summer of 2010 he temporarily was Administrator at St. Peter the Apostle in Parsippany.   Finally, Msgr. Chris was appointed our Pastor on Dec 13, 2010.

 He is the oldest of four boys. His brothers are all are married with children. His father is retired and lives in Florida, his mother passed away 15 years ago.

 Msgr. Chris' envision of his role as pastor is one of service, honesty, consultation and collaboration.  He believes he must be a man of prayer, centered on the Eucharist and is looking forward to many happy, blessed and joy-filled years at Our Lady of the Valley with our parishioners and staff.