St. Stephen’s ninth annual motorcycle blessing returns with large group of bikers

Last year, due to the pandemic, the annual motorcycle blessing joined the ranks of the many Warwick traditional and popular events that were canceled or postponed.

But this year, on Sunday, June 13, Father Angelo Micciulla, a former parochial vicar at Warwick’s RC Church of St. Stephen the First Martyr and now Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Staten Island, returned to join a formation of motorcycle enthusiasts, led by Warwick Police, on a 40-mile ride through local country roads.

Micciulla is also the chaplain of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Shamrocks Motorcycle Club, an organization open to all United States law enforcement officers, and many of its members joined in the ride.

Although there were cloudy skies and occasional light rain, a large group of bikers participated in the event.

Micciulla, who followed the police escort closely, had already traveled that morning from Staten Island to Warwick on his Indian Chieftain machine.

Before the ride and after a brief general blessing, St. Stephen’s pastor. the Rev. Jack Arlotta, and Micciulla blessed each of the bikes individually.

Some of the motorcycle enthusiasts only came for the blessing but most joined the formation for a scenic ride through the Town of Warwick.

The well-planned route, designed for safety, ended with a buffet at the Edenville Genera Store on Pine Island Turnpike. And everyone who participated also received a free T-shirt, which in honor of June 13 being his Feast Day, featured a painting of St. Anthony of Padua designed by artist Lisa Kevins, who co-chaired the event with Town of Warwick Clerk Eileen Astorino.