St. Stephen's Parish bids farewell to the Rev. Angelo Micciulla

WARWICK — The standing-room-only crowd at the 12:15 p.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 11, was evidence of the affection that the members of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, felt for their Parochial Vicar, the Rev. Angelo Micciulla.

It was a celebration of the last Mass he would say as a priest of the parish.

In September, the pastor of St. Stephen's, the Rev. Jack Arlotta, broke the news that Micciulla had been appointed administrator, a short step before becoming Pastor, of Holy Family Parish in Staten Island. The appointment was to take affect on Oct. 15.

His father and mother, Sal and Jo Anne Micciulla of Staten Island, and other family members were at the Mass as well as members of the Knights of Columbus and officers and volunteers with the Warwick Fire Department who attended in uniform to honor their chaplain.

A parish farewell reception followed.

Almost four years ago Micciulla was reassigned from Sacred Heart Parish in Suffern to St. Stephen's.

Micciulla, a native of Staten Island, had studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, where he received his Masters of Divinity Degree. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York in 2005.

Micciulla was also trained and well-versed in the celebration of the Latin Mass, which parishioners had an opportunity to attend once each month.

He was also well-known throughout the community by both Catholics and non-Catholics as a motorcycle enthusiast and each spring, he conducted an annual blessing for bikers and their motorcycles followed by a ride through the area led by members of the Warwick Police and Micciulla on his Victory motorcycle.

"We appreciate all you have done at Saint Stephen's," said Arlotta. "Our prayers and gratitude go with you."

- Roger Gavan