Monsignor Roppolo was a native of New Orleans, and became an ordained priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1954. Monsignor Roppolo served and dedicated himself to multiple churches, hospitals, schools, charities, and religious programs, for numerous decades. He was the eleventh pastor at St Joseph from 1970 to 1973.  He was named a Prelate of Honor in 1980 and retired from active ministry in 2002.