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St. Stephen's Parish bids farewell to Father Richard Marrano

| 12 Jul 2018 | 05:15
    Photos by Roger Gavan After Mass, parishioners lined up to bid farewell to Father Richard Marrano.
    Photos by Roger Gavan After Mass, parishioners lined up to bid farewell to Father Richard Marrano.
    Everyone was invited to a parish farewell reception that followed. From left, Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, and Rev. Richard Marrano, soon to serve as Administrator of the Church of St. John Chrysostom in the Bronx.
    Everyone was invited to a parish farewell reception that followed. From left, Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, and Rev. Richard Marrano, soon to serve as Administrator of the Church of St. John Chrysostom in the Bronx.

WARWICK — The standing-room-only crowd at the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 23, was evidence of the love and affection that the members of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, felt for their Parochial Vicar, Rev. Richard Marrano.
It was a celebration of the last Mass he would say as a priest of the parish. And everyone was invited to a parish farewell reception that followed.
Just a few weeks ago, the pastor of St. Stephen's, Rev. Jack Arlotta, broke the news that Marrano, had been appointed administrator, a short step before becoming pastor, of the Church of St. John Chrysostom, on East 167th Street in the Bronx.
Although Marrano had only served at St. Stephen's for one year, it was evident by the standing ovation he received that he had a positive impact on the parish and St. Stephen-St. Edward School. He had also employed his own professional musical talents in organizing and training a new adult choir.
The new assignment as administrator at St. John Chrysostom, is unique and a tribute to Marrano's organizational skills since he had only been an ordained a priest for four years. However, along with others, he especially credited and repeatedly praised Arlotta for being an outstanding mentor and friend along that path.
Marrano is originally from St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in the Bronx. He is also a graduate of the University of Hartford in piano performance and served for a time as music director of St. Frances de Chantal in the Bronx.
Before arriving at St. Stephen's he had been serving as parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima parish in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.
When he first arrived in Warwick, Father admitted that he was a city slicker but he soon learned to enjoy the beauty of this rural area.
"People were so good to me," he said. "It was hard to come here and now it's hard to leave. But it's the will of God. And I give thanks to God every day for becoming a priest. I love it."
Marrano is fluent in Spanish and during his short stay here was able to celebrate the Spanish language Mass on the first and third Saturday of each month.
"We appreciate all you have done at Saint Stephen's," said Arlotta. "Thank you Richard. You really made a difference."
- Roger Gavan