Father Anthony Randazzo

Pastor

Fr. Anthony is a native of Lodi, NJ.  He is a graduate of Don Bosco Prep and Seton Hall University. He studied theology at the University of Leuven, Belgium, eventually earning a License in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Fr. Anthony was ordained on November 22, 1986, and assigned to Our Lady of Mercy Church, Jersey City, for ten years. Then, he served 18 years at Notre Dame Church, North Caldwell.

He came on board at Holy Trinity in early 2015 and was installed as Pastor in November of 2016. Favorite 6 words to describe who he is and what he is about: “I AM A HAPPY PARISH PRIEST!”

Msgr. Gerry McCarren

I have been privileged to serve at Holy Trinity parish since September 1996, and I have found a real home here. I am filled with gratitude for Christ’s goodness so evident to me in the parishioners. During this same time I have served at Immaculate Conception Seminary, the School of Theology of Seton Hall University in South Orange, as a teacher of Systematic Theology, specifically in the field of Liturgy and Sacraments.  I am a graduate of Delbarton, Yale (B.A.), my own seminary (M.Div.) and The Catholic University of America (S.T.L., S.T.D.). I have maintained a particular interest in the contribution of Blessed John Henry Newman, the 19th Century English cardinal, and in ecumenical dialogue through the privilege I enjoyed of being a Vatican-appointed member of the Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council.

 My principle ministry has long been serving as the seminary’s Spiritual Director, which gives me the grace of closely accompanying seminarians, religious men and women, lay students, priests and others in their lives of prayer. During summers I have enjoyed the privilege of teaching and ministering spiritual direction to seminarians from throughout the U.S. and Canada at The Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. I am very grateful for the graces I have received there, at the seminary and at our parish.

Tom Pluta

Retired Deacon

Deacon Tom and his family joined Holy Trinity in 1970. He and his wife, Barbara (deceased) were married in 1965 and have three daughters, Ellen, Erika (deceased) and Jessica and six grandchildren: Arabella, Luke, Colette, Ethan, Jack and Will. A graduate of Rutgers University, he worked in environmental protection at the local, state and international levels. Deacon Tom began his third career as a full-time deacon here at Holy Trinity in 2000 as ministry coordinator along with his regular liturgical duties of baptizing, preaching, witnessing marriages and conducting wake services. He was ordained in May, 1992.  Life in Pieces is his favorite television show. 

Diana Galante

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Diana Galante was born and raised in Staten Island, where she graduated from St. Joseph by the Sea High School. Upon graduating, she attended SUNY Albany to pursue a career in accounting and met the love of her life, Alberto. She realized working with children is her passion, decided to change course to become a teacher, and transferred to The College of Staten Island, where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education.

After substitute teaching for a bit in various schools, she began teaching full-time at St. Clare School. Diana and Alberto married and purchased their first home in Edison. Soon after, she was blessed with two rambunctious boys, Maximilian Tiberius and Julian Xavier. Wishing to work in her home state, she said farewell to St. Clare School and began teaching for Newark Public Schools. She moved to Westfield and joined Holy Trinity parish in 2019.

She is overjoyed to be the new Director of Religious Education and bring her energy and enthusiasm to the Faith Formation program. You can find Diana crafting, playing video games, dancing to the latest music, and diving into her favorite fandoms when not working. Marvel and Star Trek are among her top picks.

Doreen Notar

Administrative Assistant for Religious Education

 I have lived in Westfield for the last 17 years. I was born and raised in Jersey City. I have been a parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish for 17 years. 

I am married and have a 21-year-old daughter. I have been a catechist for the last 8 years and also worked at Holy Trinity School. I recently became the Administrative Assistant in the Faith Formation office. I love sharing my faith with the children of our parish. I love spending time with family and friends and getting together as often as possible. I am fortunate that my sisters and I live in the same town, and our kids have had the opportunity to grow up together. My favorite place to be is on the beach! I enjoy cooking and love Italian food. My other guilty pleasure is reality Television, I am a Bravo super fan! 

Patricia Martin

YOUTH MINISTRY

Patricia is a proud native of Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from St Dominic Academy in 1983, she realized that being a miniature goat farmer in Buck County, PA was not in God’s plan for her, so she pursued higher education and then began her career in mental health counseling and social work.

Patricia was first invited into Youth Ministry while a young adult parish member of Our Lady of Mercy in Jersey City. At that time, Holy Trinity’s former pastor, Msgr. Joseph Masiello was pastor of OLM, and Holy Trinity’s current pastor, Fr. Anthony Randazzo, was a parochial vicar on his first priestly assignment. In 2000 Fr. Joe invited Patricia to Youth Ministry at Holy Trinity.

Though Patricia has not fulfilled her lifelong dream of being a miniature goat farmer, she is quite happy and content to assist the Good Shepherd. 

Lori Arena

Parish Nurse

Lori is the first Parish Nurse at Holy Trinity, and she challenges herself to continuously craft ways to nurture the people of the parish in both mind, body, and spirit. She was hired right before the pandemic began in 2019 and considers this to be the pinnacle of her nursing career, combining her diverse background with her passion for a holistic approach to caring for the individual. She has developed her role as the Parish Nurse, believing, “When the body, mind or spirit is not in balance, then one cannot achieve the optimal state of wellness. I am here to empower you with the tools to help you achieve that balance.”

Her career as a Registered Nurse has spanned 40 years, working in many different fields of medicine, such as hospital settings, wound care, doctor’s offices, medical sales, and home care. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Elizabeth University and has received various certifications throughout the years.

Lori recently completed her 200-hour yoga training and believes this will perfectly complement her role as Parish Nurse. She enjoys her yoga practice, being with good friends and family, and embarking on new adventures during her free time.

Kathy Skrupskis

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

A lifelong resident of Elizabeth serves as Adult Faith Formation Coordinator at Holy Trinity. After a short stint teaching in parochial schools, Kathy embarked on a career with the Social Security Administration retiring to concentrate on parish ministry. Kathy garnered an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Immaculate Conception School of Theology at Seton Hall focusing on faith formation and completed a course in Liturgical Studies at Felician College.

During her 23 years directing Faith Formation programs for children, Kathy saw the great thirst of adults for deepening their faith and now devotes her attention to fostering lifelong learning of the adult believer. Adult faith formation focuses on Worship, Word, Witness, and Welfare.

Having organized ‘Sacred Yarns,’ a knitting & crocheting ministry that supplies palliative care patients with lapghans & shawls, Kathy is intent on honing her basic skills in order to equate to the handiwork of the many women mentoring her in these crafts. Despite voices to the contrary, she doesn’t work exclusively with PURPLE yarn – although it is her favorite color! Other favorites?  Tea, shrimp, books, and her many nieces & nephews & their kids…not always in that order!

Patricia Merlucci

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES

Pat leads church choirs, accompanies Mass on organ and piano, and oversees special liturgies and programs. She offers private lessons from her studio and teaches Elementary School Band for the Wayne Public School District.  For pleasure, she is an avid concertgoer, loves to cook, read chamber music, and walk her dog, Zoie. She holds a BA from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and an MA from Rutgers University. Pat is a lifelong student of professional workshops to support her responsibilities and curiosity.

Her venues as a soloist, accompanist, and member of a chamber music group include libraries, churches, and radio in the tri-state area, as well as Boston and San Diego. Innovative programming has been her passion and signature as an artist. As music director, Pat welcomes musicians of all ages, levels, and musical styles to participate in any church project that complements their schedule. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community at Holy Trinity and dreams of developing an outreach music program and contributing to the artistic life in Westfield.

Sara Hedgepeth

DIRECTOR OF CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE

Sara Hedgepeth has been directing the Contemporary Ensemble since the early years of this millennia! A long time! The Ensemble started when Sara chimed in at a Liturgy meeting, "Hey, I play the piano. Can we do a group that's more piano-centric than organ-centric?” The rest is history. When she's not leading music at Holy Trinity, Sara works full-time in Development at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison. Music and theatre have always figured prominently in her life. She created the McKinley Kapers at McKinley School on First Street, which is going strong in its 21st year, and founded Hedgehog & Feather Theatre Company, a children's theatre company in Westfield, which ran for 10 years. In addition to piano, she plays accordion and various odd percussion instruments.  She is married to Tom Schaefer (Contemporary Ensemble tenor and flutist) and has three incredible adult children (Jane, Kelly, and George Braun) who all got corralled into playing or singing in the Ensemble at various times! Come and join this wonderful, loveable bunch of musicians!  

Joseph Loria

Leader of Song

Joe is proud and humbled to have served the faith community of Westfield for over twenty years. Starting as a section leader in the Parish Choir, he was offered the position of Cantor and found a warm and loving second home!

His background includes theater, television, various vocal ensembles, Cabaret, New York Grand Opera, Ar's Musica, and a nine-year stint with the New Jersey State Opera Resident Chorus. He has been involved as a church musician in various capacities since 1992. A career highlight was a solo at the Vatican while on a concert tour with St. Vincent Martyr Pilgrim Choir!

Joe thanks his wife Linda for her unending encouragement and support.  

Laurie Realmuto

Office Administrator

Laurie joined Holy Trinity in 2002 with the opening of the Mountainside Campus. In 2012, she moved to the Westfield Campus as school secretary and supervisor of the aftercare program. In July 2019, she came across the street to take the Administrative Assistant position for the Church – and we don’t know what we do without her! Laurie welcomes and helps parishioners while continuously assisting the staff and keeping the church office and building going.

Marie Campanile

Director of Communications

Marie joined the Holy Trinity family in February 2022 and considers this position her dream job! After spending much of her career in Marketing and Project Management, Marie decided to toss out to the universe her desire to find a place where her creativity, love of writing, and strong organizational and design skills could be used to help build community. Merge this with her desire to strengthen her spiritual life and share this experience with others – and her dream job appeared.

Before joining Holy Trinity, Marie developed her own social media company to help small business owners connect with their customers during the pandemic. She understood the fear and hardship the owners struggled with and helped them come alive and thrive in the faceless world of social media.

Marie is a Certified Project Manager and holds a BA in Organizational Communication and English from Rutgers University. During her free time, you will find Marie tackling a new craft, working on her golf swing, or spending time relaxing and finding joy in every moment with her husband and two daughters.